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Reviews of Saltwater Zen -- Your Oceanfront Retreat on Fripp Island

Saltwater Zen -- Your Oceanfront Retreat on Fripp Island
Saint Helena Island, SC

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 90 out of 94 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 94 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 94 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 94 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 94 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joey S., MAINEVILLE, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
WILL be back!
LOVED the place. Our 6th time to Fripp and first time in this condo. Beautiful inside. Exactly as advertised! Location CANNOT be beat!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lucia S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely place!
This place is very quiet and tranquil. Beautiful views and comfortable home.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Colt S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent
Property was very clean and up to date. Very easy check in process. Would book again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chad H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great long weekend
My wife and I had a great time at Saltwater Zen. House was clean and just like the listing said. Have already recommended to friends. Thanks for letting us enjoy the beautiful home and views.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steven J., Piedmont, SC

Liked: Cleanliness
Caregiver Respite Stay
My wife and I were in need of solitude, rest and quiet time with the Lord and each other following three years of dedicated caregiving and the passing of my mother. Our needs were met at Saltwater Zen on Fripp Island which we believe was the result of a Devine appointment; no coincidence. Sunrises, the peaceful sound of breaking waves, watching dolphins from the porches and biking/walking throughout His creation provided our much needed rejuvenation. This was our first Fripp Island experience and we intend to return again in the off peak season. We often felt as if we we had the beach, shoreline and bike paths to ourselves. We are grateful to Tonja and Michael for choosing to share this beautiful condo with others!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Mar 2024
Thanks Steven for your kind words. We wish you the best in your own healing following your mom’s passing.

10/10 Excellent

Marc M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fripp in November
This was my 4th visit to Fripp, but my first in the winter. The island and this property was amazing. Perfect size for my wife and I with all the comforts of home. The property was clean and very well furnished for a rental. The beaches were empty and there were very few visitors on the island. I had an issue with my Amenity Cards (due to Guest Services) and the owner was very helpful and communicative and helped resolve my issue quickly. He even refunded me the charge for my troubles. I would definately rent the property again!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Dec 2023
Thanks for your kind words. We would love to host you again!

10/10 Excellent

Eileen S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Sun, Sand and Deer
Very nice property! Beautiful location, plenty of room. Everything you could possible need to enjoy a great stay. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent
We love this space. It was perfect for a couple of adults. Very clean. We felt welcomed from the first day until the last. Would recommend this cottage to everyone.
Stayed 12 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

SHANNON R., Missouri, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Vacation
We enjoyed our stay and loved the balcony. Area was very quiet and relaxing. Was disappointed that we could not find car parking near the beach access on the island.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Sept 2023
Thanks Shannon for the feedback and the kind words. Please keep us in mind for your next beach trip!

10/10 Excellent

Anne J., Pittsburgh, PA

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!
This trip was amazing! The home was absolutely perfect! The owners have thought of everything. It was the perfect house in the perfect location. I would love to come back and will definitely be recommending this home to friends and family! Tip- if it storms while you are there watch for dolphins! They were jumping in the water an entire storm right off the balcony. So cool!!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Saltwater Zen Jackpot
We were blown away with this rental. The unit was clean, updated, and fully stocked with everything we needed. The coffee bar area was a big plus for us. The view was spectacular, the pool right was right off the deck, and the location was perfect for us. The host answered immediately when I had a simple question. We had a fantastic week and have every intention of trying to stay at Saltwater Zen again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 31 July 2023
Thanks for your kind words, we genuinely appreciate it — and we would love to host you again soon!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Return renter
This our 3rd or 4th time coming to this place! Feels like home to come back to same comfy place!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 July 2023
Thanks for your kind words! We appreciate the feedback and look forward to hosting you again soon!

10/10 Excellent

James M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great spot for our family
We had a wonderful stay at Saltwater Zen. Quiet and convenient location to all the things we wanted to do while on Fripp Island. We'll be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debbie P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful
We loved the home and the proximity of the beach. We did not not rent a golf cart but would the next time, making it even easier to get around. The pool hind the property was great, not crowded and the restaurant across the street was great. We definitely will rent this home again. The owners were very responsive with questions. We give it. 10/10
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Margaret C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy peaceful place
We loved sitting on the deck watching the Dolphins. The home was quiet and had everything we needed. We were there for a family reunion and Fripp met our expectations and then some!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elissa B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Would visit again
Great location and accommodations. We enjoyed the view and how quiet the area is. Would love to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey W.

Liked: Cleanliness
All is cozy and calm!
Saltwater Zen never disappoints and Michael and Tonja are the BEST hosts! We’ve stayed all over the island for almost 30 years and this our favorite place for two. This Memorial Day weekend had us inside due to the season’s first tropical storm, but the property was a cozy spot to settle into! The kitchen is well appointed and the decor sets the tone for a relaxing getaway. Don’t feel like cooking? The Ocean Point Grille is just steps away for breakfast or lunch. An unforgettable stay is just a click away!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 30 May 2023
Thank you Lindsey for your kind words — very much appreciated! We look forward to hosting you again soon.

8/10 Good

Kristen B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice
Beautiful house, owners dealt with our issues promptly
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Martin H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent condo!
Fantastic. Idyllic. Wonderful. Amazing. Great place for a couple to spend a few days (or more) and unwind. Highly recommended. (I’m writing this from our follow-up property we’re staying at on this trip a few hours north which is quite the letdown compared to Saltwater Zen.)
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Richard L.

Liked: Cleanliness
20th Anniversary Getaway Vacation
Our first time on Fripp Island! The condo was very well equipped and very comfortable! We enjoyed watching the sunrises which were fantastic. The unit is right across the street from golf and food. We enjoyed 4 rounds of golf while on the island. A great trip we hope to repeat in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeffery R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect & Excellent Townhome
Very nice townhome. Very clean, well-equipped (especially the kitchen), nice bed, and well-appointed. Bedroom and bathroom are both spacious. Upstairs balcony/deck off of the bedroom is a real plus. Quiet. Great ocean view. Short walk or bike ride to the beach. Fripp has so many beach access points and the bike/jog/walk trail is part of the fun (biked on the island every day). Lots of wildlife...tri-colored heron, green heron, osprey, bald eagle, dolphins, pelicans, alligators, deer, great egret, frogs, salamanders, and more. Spent one day in Beaufort: walking tour of notable historic homes and trees, coffee shops, nifty bookstores, check out Herban Market & Café for a knock out vegetarian menu (even non-vegetarians will like it), and lost of gift shops. And bike and hike at Hunting Island as well.
Stayed 10 nights in Feb 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Mar 2023
Thanks for the kind words and the great review of Fripp. We would love to host you again soon.

10/10 Excellent

Heather S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
My husband and I went for a short getaway and really lucked out with this booking. The condo is well-arranged, full of light and color, comfortable, and the 2 decks were heavenly as others have said for coffee , cocktails, and the view. My only regret? I didn’t book a longer stay! We’ll definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

William and Patricia C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Condo
This is the 2nd time we have stayed at Saltwater Zen. We enjoyed it as much as the 1st time. It's a great location, and we saw lots of dolphins, pelicans and deer.
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful View
This was a wonderful place to stay! We enjoyed watching the sunrise each morning. We saw plenty of deer and dolphins playing everyday. What a treat!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

STACY M., CARTERSVILE

Liked: Cleanliness
Saltwater Zen Experience
We loved Saltwater Zen. It had everything we needed for our extended New Year's weekend. The views from the balconies were gorgeous and the kitchen had everything we needed. The owners were great with communicating. We would definitely come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bruce T., Little River

Liked: Cleanliness
Very Nice
Nice and clean and very well equipped. We will most certainly stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Angela G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent Stay
The hosts provided excellent communication and we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Escape!
We had a great trip and the property was excellent for our no kids anniversary trip! Communication was great, checkin/out smooth. The property had everything we needed and the porches were fantastic for coffee in the morning and cocktails in the evening. Overall five stars and would definitely rent again!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kennedy P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect romantic getaway !
We love this house so much! This was our second stay there. It's the perfect location for a romantic vacation with your s/o! Private and quiet with an ocean front view, topped off with regular dolphin sitings in the morning hours, and beach access just a short walk away.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deborah C.

Liked: Cleanliness
The Villa was perfect! Great location, very clean, great view!
We had a wonderful long weekend there and would definitely consider this property if we return to Fripp Island in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Barbara M., Green Valley, AZ

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely week on Fripp
Saltwater Zen is definitely as advertised! We found it clean, comfortable and loved the location right on the ocean. The Keatons were accessible and quick to respond if we had any questions. We hope to return again in 2023!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Frank V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice island waterfront
Very nice waterfront location with great views from the lower and upper decks. Nicely decorated with comfortable bed and couch. Excellent Wi-Fi and lower level TV options. We did not do any cooking, however the kitchen and appliances appear up-to-date. Excellent communication with the owner and easy check in and check out. A very convenient breakfast and lunch restaurant just steps away. Easy and convenient parking. Be ready for stairs to upper bedroom level. We enjoyed our long weekend very much.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Sept 2022
Thank you Frank for the kind feedback. We would love to have you stay with us again!

10/10 Excellent

Ashley W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome!
We absolutely LOVED this house! Beautiful ocean view, you could sit out on the deck for hours and look at the ocean, watch the sunrise, birds, boats and occasionally dolphins. You could even see the view from inside. You can also see the pool from the deck. The house was very nice, perfect size for a little family, decorated very cute! Very clean, and up to date appliances. The owners were easy to communicate with. They have definitely put a lot into making sure you have everything you need for your stay, also access to several streaming services. Highly recommend! We will definitely be staying here again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Sept 2022
Thank you Ashley for the kind words, we appreciate it!

10/10 Excellent

Louis W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Zen-tastic
This was our first trip to Fripp Island to attend a wedding and we turned the trip into a week-long vacation. This ocean retreat was perfect for the 2 of us. We spent many hours on one of the two decks watching the sunrise over the ocean, relaxing, and eating dinner. Well equipped, clean, and great location. Ocean Pointe Golf Course is across the street. The bed upstairs was very comfortable. Overall we throughly enjoyed our stay and can’t wait to come back. For first timers to Fripp, renting a golf cart is essential to getting around the island.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sandra C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Property
This property is in a great location and has a beautiful view. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and one evening we had10 deer grazing and bedding down behind the townhouse. Such a treat! The townhouse was very nice and well equipped for all of our needs. I especially appreciated that there was an abundance of nice towels and hand soap in both bathrooms. Beautiful sunrises over the ocean. It was a wonderful, relaxing trip.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sherry S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful view
This was our first time at Fripp. We enjoyed the house and especially the views. The island is pretty with lots of wildlife. We Saw deer and one alligator. Nice pools and braches.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lori B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Stay!
Fripp Island did not disappoint! Our cottage was lovely with amazing view of the water.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jeff L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great House
Great place for 2
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dàna B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Fripp-cation!
We loved our stay at this beautiful cottage! We had beautiful views, and every amenity we could ever need to make our stay so relaxing and perfect! ❤️
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cathy M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Anniversary Getaway
We enjoyed the ocean view, including the dolphin sighting on our final morning. Quiet location. Easy to find. We found renting a golf cart was essential on Fripp Island. We visited the 2 dinner restaurants on the island and enjoyed eating at both, especially the view at the 2nd floor of the beach club. Overall great stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alan M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent stay!
We made a quick trip for two nights and really enjoyed this house. It has a great view from the decks and my wife and I enjoyed sitting out there in the evenings listening to the ocean. This is the perfect house for a couple. There are two pools within walking distance and a breakfast/lunch place across the street. The check in process was very clearly communicated and we had no issues. Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carrie M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful place to stay in Fripp Island
This home was perfect for our anniversary getaway to Fripp Island. The location on the island, and the beach were pretty much perfect. We saw dolphins swimming, right off the porch, every day! My husband and I were extremely happy with the rental. We plan to book again, in the near future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matthew G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Everything Zen
Wonderful time at Saltwater Zen! The property was exactly as described and the views were amazing. Tonja was an absolute pleasure to work with and provided us with the perfect level of communication throughout the process. Great property and we would absolutely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean, comfortable, relaxing
We enjoyed our second year staying here at Saltwater Zen. The owners are quick to respond to messages, and the home is clean, comfortable and well stocked. The view of the water is beautiful right out the back sliding doors upstairs and down, and you can often see dolphins surfacing as they fish. We woke up each morning early to pull back the curtains and watch the sunrise from bed. The sounds of the water crashing into the rocks at high tide are relaxing. We enjoyed sitting on the deck each evening eating our supper in the cooler breezes, then hopped on the golf cart to drive to the other side of the island to watch the sunset. Golf cart rental is definitely beneficial to getting around the island and parking for beach access points or other sites. We have found that we enjoy the beach access between points 16 to 25 - easy to park the golf cart and take our gear to enjoy several hours at the beach. We look forward to making this an annual trip!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jenni H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing visit
Another relaxing trip to fripp. We love the cottage. This was our 5th visit.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Frippin’ Perfect!
As frequent guests at Fripp Island and new empty nesters, we found a place to return for years to come! We had an amazing anniversary getaway. This property didn’t disappoint! Stunning morning views with coffee, watching dolphins dance across the water from the balcony, and relaxing evenings stargazing from the hot tub on the upper balcony. Michael and Tonja ensured everything was perfect for us! We’ve already booked our next trip!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 June 2022
Thanks Lindsey, we appreciate the kind words and we are looking forward to hosting you next year.

10/10 Excellent

Jessica S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great!
We enjoyed staying here, everything was lovely and the owners were always quick to respond with any questions we had!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

4/10 Poor

William M., Mountain Park, Ga 30075

Disliked: Cleanliness
Our experience
I was expecting a beach not ocean . There was none. There was a ocean view. The front gate did not have me registered. Very embarrassing. The owner was fast to get it straightened out as we had headed back home. Wish she hadn’t. The front door was difficult to open. The bedroom was 17 steps up with 4 steps no hand guard. The lower outside deck was over looking a swimming pool pump house and a gated swimming pool for the condos to the left but not us. There was very noticeable stain on the top and front middle cushion of the sofa. The overall cleanliness was poor. The TV was useless. Wanted to watch the PGA golf third round but all we could find was all kinds of streaming that we were not interested in. Followed the PGA on my cell phone. Watched regular TV on my wife’s phone that night. We did not want to stay there and left on Sunday instead of our Monday paid day.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 7 June 2022
Hi William, Sorry about your experience at the check-in gate and I’m sorry that you had problems working the TV. We have Hargray Cable with 200+ channels including every major network. The pictures in our listing show the beautiful view from our deck as well as the stairs to the master bedroom. The pool next door is indeed for our use (Ocean Cottages) and that too is clearly listed in the description. We wish you the best. Perhaps your next vacation will help you address your anger management issues. The way you spoke to me on the phone was completely unacceptable.

10/10 Excellent

Lorraine S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful home
Saltwater Zen is everything the other 5 star reviewers have said! Excellent communication with the owners and an immaculately clean home in a great location with beautiful views. I would highly recommend this property and am already planning my next stay there!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark R.

Liked: Cleanliness
A couples getaway
Saltwater Zen was perfect for our couple getaway. Very private. Wonderful location and view.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022