Notes from the host
Waterfront 3-Bedroom Oasis Near Trent Island
PLATINUM PINEAPPLE GROUP invites you to THE BOYCE COTTAGE, a charming retreat in a historic Virginia waterman’s town on Lower Machodoc Creek. Our 2021 renovated waterfront home offers serenity and style with direct water access, a spacious kitchen for entertaining, a large outdoor dining patio with table side fireplace, a spa directly off the deck and a waterside fire pit to enjoy the natural beauty of the preserve, home to Bald Eagles and Ospreys.
Only 2 Hours from DC | 1.5 Hours from Richmond | 45 Minutes from Fredericksburg
AMENITIES (subject to availability):
* Same-day caught steamed blue crabs (Late May–Nov) delivered to Boyce Cottage.
* In-Home Massages.
* Charter fishing and boating trips.
*In-Home Chef.
OUTDOOR FUN:
* HOT TUB*
*Backyard water access with kayak/canoe (includes 2 youth life jackets 10–40 lbs & 1 adult jacket).
*Non-obstructed waterfront views to relax and recharge.
*Two private fire pits with complimentary firewood + starters.
*Outdoor table-side fireplace under the grand oak tree.
*Waterside hammock for the perfect nap.
*Outdoor & indoor games for all ages.
KITCHEN & DINING:
*Fully equipped kitchen stocked with quality cookware and dishware (no flimsy stuff here!).
*Complimentary kitchen staples: coffee, oil, salt & pepper, paper towels, dishwasher pods, trash bags.
COMFORT & RELAXATION:
*Upgraded bedding with memory foam mattresses.
*Goose down comforters in winter & lightweight cotton inserts in summer.
*Every piece of bedding is freshly washed and sanitized between guests.
*No “old, gross comforters”—only clean, cozy linens!
BATHROOM AMENITIES:
*Sulfate-free shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
*Hand soap + toilet paper stocked for your stay.
ENTERTAINMENT & EXTRAS:
*High Speed Wifi 500mpbs
*Bluetooth Harman Kardon speaker.
*Waterside hammock.
*Outdoor towels provided.
*Playpen available upon request (no charge).
*Instacart delivery available from Montross Food Lion.
DOG-FRIENDLY!
*Bring up to 3 dogs (flat $75 fee).
*XL crate available.
**NO cute doggies are allowed on any furniture/bedding, indoor nor outdoor.
NOTE:
**We’re currently awaiting permits to rebuild the dock.
**By booking and staying at this property, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
Swimming, hot tub, and kayaking/canoeing use are at your own risk.
You accept full responsibility for any injury, accident, or incident arising from enter shoreline, swimming, hot tub use, or kayaking/canoeing use, and agree to hold the Owner/Host harmless.
You understand there are inherent risks, especially for:
-Children who are not carefully supervised.
-Anyone with health conditions.
-Anyone who is pregnant.
-Anyone under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.
You and all members of your party assume full responsibility for your safety and actions.
By confirming your reservation, you and all guests in your party agree to waive any claims whatsoever against the Owner/Host for accidents, injuries, or damages related to walking shoreline, swimming, hot tub use, and/or kayaking/canoeing.
LOCAL ADVENTURES:
A SIPPING WEEKEND:
Stroll down the country road to downtown Montross and begin your sipping adventure at the Northern Neck Brewery. This is a new brewery within Montross so we are still exploring our favorites! We are very excited about the live music they will be featuring. Brooke always says, "The Northern Neck is the mini-Nashville for musical talent!" Continue along Kings Highway for approximately 30-minutes to Ingleside Vineyard. We enjoy the Coastal Red and think you will too. Food trucks are typically on site and always delicious, but even better is when they host an oyster event. On our way home we sometimes return to Montross Brewery to enjoy the nightly live music and the brick oven pizza!
If you want to travel in the opposite direction, we typically start off the day at General's Ridge Vineyard. Since General's Ridge is owned by a Marine, Jose always ensures he sounds off with a loud OORAH! The grounds are lush and boast historic housing on the property. If you like darts, we always enjoy a little competition with the kids while sipping on our favorite wine, Semper Fi. We then make our way down to Hague Winery. The simple grounds with the cozy barn are always welcoming. On a hot or rainy day, we love sitting outside under the barn canopy. On those hot summer days, we always look forward to a little Rosé. If Lala’s Kitchen on Wheels makes an appearance, we never miss a trip to Hague Winery!
EXPANDING YOUR MIND KIND-OF-WEEKEND:
Westmoreland County and the surrounding areas are rich in history. The birthplace of George Washington and James Monroe can be found in Colonial Beach. We really love visiting the grounds of George Washington’s birthplace and then make our way over to the picnic area and launch the kayaks off the dock of the Monroe family farm. After picnicking we head back towards the house, but not before we make a stop at Strafford Hall, the home of the Lee family (you could spend the whole day here). The grounds are spectacular and we can lay on the rolling hills behind the main house for hours! Stafford Hall hosts events throughout the year but our favorite is the Oyster and Wine Festival! During that event we don’t really retain much history, but always leave full and happy. Another fun historical stop is the Westmoreland County Museum and Library. Permanent exhibits include portraits of Westmoreland County’s historical figures, fossils, and Native American artifacts.
TREASURE HUNTING:
This is Brooke’s favorite weekend adventure and the one she is most excited to share! Just down the beautiful canopy road of Erica Drive, make your way to Murphy’s Hardware and Garden. The owner Rebecca knows everything, and if you need some plants, tools, paint, or seeds she will gladly help you out. Flanking the main barn is where the treasures can be found, two large buildings full of antiques await you. Also, within the main barn there are local made artistry items that you can’t pass up. Done treasure hunting, then hit the road towards Warsaw. Side note, on the way to Warsaw, we can never pass by Garners Farmer Market without stopping in for local produce and meat, but especially for the ice cream sandwiches and bacon, it’s a MUST stop. Those sandwiches will leave you with cravings for days to come!
Downtown Warsaw has some cute shops but our favorite for new treasures is Colonial Collectibles. The oyster painting within our home came from this store.
Keep on trucking to Tappanhannock until you reach Acme Antiques, can’t miss it! You can be in this three-level store for hours, whether your finding treasures or simply laughing at what they have inside, you will definitely take a bunch of photos to send home! If you didn’t indulge in the ice cream sandwich at Garners, stop by Acme’s ice cream shop next store. Even if you don’t want ice cream its super cute inside.
After a day of treasure hunting, we always stop by Northern Neck Burgers on our way home. Not only are the burgers amazing but the lobster roll is even more delicious. The milk shakes are always a hit for both the young and old! Be sure to wash your hands in the restroom.
NATURE and EXERCISE:
We often utilize our kayaks to cruise around outback. We typically head over to the nature preserve, directly across the water from our place, and look for fossils. If you are biker, our neighborhood has plenty of beautiful farm and country roads to enjoy. We always take a run or walk with our pup, Lincoln, around the bend towards the Potomac River (when you leave Chatham Village-our neighborhood just stay right).
Another adventure is hiking around Westmoreland State Park. The cliffs overlooking the Potomac are impressive. On certain Saturdays throughout the summer, the park features live music on the cliffs; that’s always a special treat. Westmoreland State Park has a tone of activities you can enjoy like shark tooth necklace crafts, birdhouse painting, turtle feeding, and fossil hiking.
In the opposite direction, Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge Hutchinson Unit in Tappahannock offers 2-miles of trails through meadows, forests along with a platform overlooking the grasslands.
Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, 20,000 acres of wetlands with 4 federally-listed threatened or endangered species may be found.
Wilna Unit is 976-acres, that feature 5 different hiking trails and observation decks.
We saved the best for last, Stan’s Skateland right here in Montross! Step back into your childhood and or bring the kiddo’s. Always a fun time!
Farmers Markers and Local Markets:
1. Warsaw Market, Friday’s from 11am-7pm. Town parking lot, on the main street
2. Tappahannock Farmers Market, 3rd Saturday from 9am-1pm (May-November). Cross and Prince Street, Tappahannock.
3. Pammy’s Produce, Tuesday-Sunday at 9:30am -until she feels like closing. 715 S. Church Lane Tappahannock.
4. Garners Produce, 7 days a week 9am-7pm April through Thanksgiving During the winter you can order and pick up.
5. S&W (our neighbor, Wade) Oysters and crabs directly from our backyard
6. Montross Crabs and Seafood Market- (this is the huge OPEN sign you see a few miles down the road).
7. Erica’s Mall – This is our local bodega.
*** There are local grocery stores and chain restaurants if that’s your cup of tea, but we did not list above. Food Loin is the closest large grocery store!
Hopefully you will not need these facilities, but just encase. When we go to Stan’s Skateland I always have the urgent care on speed dial for Jose!!! ;)
1. VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital- 618 Hospital Rd. Tappahannock, VA 22560
2. VCU Health Urgent Care- 300 Mount Clement Park, Suite A Tappahannock, VA 22560 no no
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