About SailAway Cottages
Are you looking for an affordable stay in what is generally touted as a “luxury vacation paradise”? SailAway Cottages offers you options. Come stay with us and enjoy local knowledge, a quiet neighbourhood, and at max a 15 minute drive to Grace Bay – the “touristy” area. Check out our cottages here.
Who are we and what is our story?
We are Karen and John Lawson – transplanted Canadians. Life Motto? Keep doing it until it stops being fun!! We moved down to TCI with two babies in 1999. We were going to stay for only one year, but we fell in love with TCI. We brought our two children up here, who are now living in Canada, and feeling grateful that they have a warm place to visit at Christmas!!! We started our love affair with the Caribbean when we got married – as we took a year off to sail from Toronto to the Bahamas on a small sailboat. When we returned to Canada, we got “real” jobs, but spent every vacation chartering sailboats throughout the Caribbean. We realized the hustle and bustle of city life was not for us… and here we are today.
We converted our 2 car garage into a suite for our parents to stay because as you can imagine they were very sad that we took their grandchildren away from them when we moved south. We renovated the suite a few years ago and decided to try this “short term rental” thing out. We loved it! We enjoy meeting people from all over the world, and sharing our little piece of paradise with them. We then built The LightHouse Cottage in 2018, and The Sail Loft in 2020. Most recently, (2023) we renovated a guest suite in our own home, (The Captain’s Quarters), which now has it’s own private entrance, and two private decks.
We make ourselves as available as you want us to be. We love to provide advice and suggestions, but if you truly want to get away from it all and don’t want to interact, we respect that as well. We want you to have the vacation of your dreams, and we are here to help you achieve that.
Read Our Airbnb Reviews
-
Excellent location with great amenities including private access to beach, kayaking and snorkeling. Felt right at home with charming host and wonderful family pup Soldier. Highly recommend this place to... read more couples looking for place to relax and take in all the beauty of this island🐠🐠🐠
Susan
March 25, 2023Karen and John were most responsive. We could not have asked for a more relaxing stay and the lighthouse cottage. We highly recommend.
Douglas
March 17, 2023Wow! This place is just amazing! We were greeted by John who walked us through some of the basic things to know about the property and life on the island.... read more And of course, there was Soldier who was our companion throughout our stay. We loved having the pool for late afternoon soaks, proximity to the canal with the paddle boards and kayaks (and turtles!), and a very short walk to the beach where you could swim out and snorkel, hunt for seashells, and watch the horse riding tours through the water. It was a good walk to Da Conch Shack for some great Conch Salad (my favorite) and yummy fritters and rum punch pitchers. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would definitely go back and stay in the Lighthouse space again in a nano-second.
Things to note about your visit to the island, the airport customs upon entry is no joke. 2 hours for us. Driving is an adventure (especially if you are from the US or Canada). There are mosquitos in the morning and at dusk, manageable with spray.Tami
March 10, 2023 -
The place was great! Just as pictured and described. It was our first time to the island and after checking out a number of the neighborhoods, we would definitely stay... read more here again. Quiet neighborhood but still close (by car) to the more touristy areas.
Kelly
March 3, 2023This was one of the best vacation rentals we've ever stayed in and the villa itself was truly a highlight of our trip. It is absolutely unique with its lighthouse/turret... read more that have incredible views of the ocean/beach (and the night sky!). The deck area and pool was our favorite hang-out space to get fresh air and sunshine. They have every amenity onsite you could need, including kayaks, beach chairs, snorkel gear, floats and even a cooler and cooler bag. We loved the outdoor shower - what a treat! We felt very safe with lockable doors, a safe and a security patrol in the neighborhood we saw several times throughout our stay. And Karen and John were super responsive, answered my many questions, offered great local recommendations and we enjoyed meeting Soldier and the gray cat so much! My 15 year-old son was so excited to meet Soldier and when asked what was his favorite part of our trip, his answer was "Soldier." Be sure to ask Soldier to take you to the beach - he gets so excited! 🙂
Lyn
February 24, 2023A perfectly located spot — quick drive from airport, 2 minute walk to beach, kayaks and canal to ocean from back yard, private pool. Just a lovely house with the... read more lighthouse and comfortable rooms. Grocery stores have what you need and plenty of great restaurants nearby.
Thank you to Karen and to sweet pup Soldier!Kate
February 20, 2023 -
Fantastic place, just a short skip from a very very private beach. The home is well laid out and perfect for a beach vacation. We enjoyed mornings on the awesome... read more lighthouse and our friendly visits from Soldier the potcake dog. Sweet little dip pool was perfect. Great food at Da Conch Shack is just a 10-14 walk up the beach.
Enjoyed all of the sea turtles and cruising around on the kayaks.
Karen’s food and destination recommendations were great. She welcomed us warmly and had us all setup on arrival.
We had an amazing trip and it all started with our home base and host.Clint
February 16, 2023Had an amazing stay at Lighthouse Cottage. The place exceeded expectations. Karen and John were excellent hosts. Very responsive but also non intrusive. We really felt like the place... read more was ours. It felt very private. I would absolutely recommend and might return myself.
Michael
February 11, 2023We had a great stay at the Lighthouse Cottage. The space was perfect for two couples. Soldier the dog met us every morning to guide us to the beach. He... read more was such a good boy and hung out with us for part of the day every day we were there. The beach area is absolutely beautiful. We saw juvenile sea turtles in the ocean. The water was a bit cool but you get used to it quickly. Karen gave us some excellent recommendations. We enjoyed walking over to Da Conch Shack. We highly recommend a clear-bottom kayak tour through the mangroves. It was well worth the money and we learned a lot about the local marine life. We also enjoyed exploring some of the shops and restaurants at Grace Bay Beach. The Deck and Bay Bistro both had excellent food. Graceway IGA wasn’t far and we were able to get all the groceries we needed. If you stay here you should walk up to the top of the lighthouse, the views are amazing! We would definitely stay here again. Karen is a wonderful host!
Kristen
February 4, 2023 -
How often you can take a outdoor shower looking at a lighthouse? Unique place in great location next to the beach with lots of sea turtles.
Adrian
January 27, 2023We had a wonderful week at the Lighthouse. The location is perfect, private but walkable to the beach, the dock with the kayaks, paddle boards and to Da Conch Shack!... read more The setup was perfect for us, 2 couples. I recommend Da Conch Shack, Omar’s, Turks Head Brewery for beer and cranberry vodka drinks, ( also they can fill 1 gallon jugs of water for 60 cents), Taylor Bay, Sapodilla Bay. Karen’s dog ,Soldier, was the best part of the trip! He is so sweet, showed up every morning and evening and loved going to the beach! He is blind so needs some guidance going down the front path but after that he’s in charge! Karen and John are great hosts and were very responsive and friendly! We hated to leave!
Catherine
January 23, 2023We really loved the lighthouse stay!! The entire property was pristine and had all the amenities one could ask for. We cooked every day and grilled at the property(propane tank... read more was full and grill was very nice). The kitchen was laid out nicely with everything you'd need (really appreciated olive oil and spices).
There was snorkeling gear, rafts, paddle boards, & kayaks for all four of us & smaller sizes for the kids. We took advantage of the canal and beach every day. (we met the neighbors at the dock and my daughter was able to paddle board with their dog!)The canal dock is on a lighted path directly on the property and the beach is literally 2 min away. If you go out the front door, walk down the driveway and make a right you'll find the beautiful beach right across the street.
Karen lives right next door and was a very responsive host. The neighborhood is very safe and we never worried about anything. We also had the pleasure of hanging out with solider, her sweet pup every day.Carrieann
January 15, 2023 -
Everything about our week long stay at the Lighthouse Cottage was perfection! The home is exactly as the pictures and description describes it! On top of that Karen is the... read more most gracious host, always quick to respond with answers, recommendations and being super helpful to ensure our stay was wonderful! I can’t speak highly enough of our hosts and the entire cottage.
We stayed as a family of four and had plenty of room to be comfortable for a week long vacation. It was wonderful to be able to kayak or paddle-board on the canal or walk to the private beach. Every morning our personal guide, Soldier would welcome us and escort us to the beach.
The location to everything we wanted to do on the island was perfect (we did rent a car). We enjoyed all of our time at the cottage and being very secluded, but also a quick drive to all the other areas of the island!
Highly Recommend staying here!!Jessica
December 24, 2022Karen’s place was in such a great location. We had the canal to enjoy and kayak, the beach was at walking distance. The beaches for snorkeling were 10 min away... read more driving.
Great view from the lighthouse. Unfortunately the weather was a little cold the first couple days and couldn’t enjoy the pool too much.
Karen’s house felt so comfy, she accommodated us with high chair and playpen for our 2 year old. It was awesome!
Karen was very helpful on giving us advice on which beaches to go and she even took pictures of us while kayaking!
We had a blast! We would absolutely rent her house next time we visit Turks and CaicosEva
December 13, 2022We loved this place. Very private. Karen is next door and helped the few minor problems we encountered. Beach within 5 minute walk, and Soldier (the unofficial house dog) was... read more our welcome morning company and personal escort to the beach!
Doug
December 7, 2022 -
Karen’s place far exceeded our expectations. The pictures do not do it Justice. The location is phenomenal and access to the private beach was easily accessible. We Highly recommend this... read more property and will return.
Rob
December 2, 2022The location was perfect, very peaceful and quiet. We went paddle boarding every morning with dozens of turtles. The beach is very private and just a few steps... read more from the house. Karen was very responsive to our questions and had great recommendations.
We'll be coming back and we'll certainly stay again.Richard
November 28, 2022 -
As other reviews have said: don't think - book! Our stay at the Light House was incredible. The pictures and other glowing reviews are on point; from the moment we... read more walked in, we knew we were in for a special vacation.
The house is on a very quiet, very private-feeling street, just steps from the beach. You walk in the beautiful big brown door, and it's like you are in a new world: the pool lights up and was the perfect temperature our whole trip. Everything was very clean, and the house was well-stocked throughout.
The location is unbeatable. You are literally a few steps from the canal, where Karen & John have a ton of kayaking and paddleboard gear. The canal opens up into the ocean; it was surreal being able to kayak out on the turquoise water around dusk; just absolute perfection. And on the other side of the house, if you just walk a few hundred feet, you wind up on what feels like a private beach. There were only a handful of others there at times, and most of the time, we had it all to ourselves.
And of course, it would be impossible not to mention Soldier. My wife and I have dogs of our own, but there is something so special about this little guy. He would often curl up at the bottom of the steps of the Light House at night - he was was such a sweet presence to have around. and then would be waiting patiently to take you to the beach the next morning. He LOVES the beach; the second you say the word, he gets so excited and wants to guide you down there. It's the cutest thing I think I've ever witnessed.
I can't say enough about how great our stay was. The other thing worth mentioning is that the drive to Grace Bay and the built-up areas was very simple and took ~15 minutes. We went in a few times for dinner and to check things out, but honestly, we preferred hanging out on the beach near our place more than Grace Bay due to how private and beautiful it was.
Thank you, Karen and John, for the incredible vacation! We sincerely hope to come back soon!Alex
November 16, 2022We can’t say anything that the other reviews haven’t already said, because Karen’s place is perfection! Kayak & SUP with sea turtles EVERYDAY, beach is steps away, Da Conch Shack... read more is a short walk on a gorgeous beach. The location is central to Sopadilla Bay & Grace Bay. And a quick drive from the airport. Truly a slice of paradise.
Kelly
November 5, 2022Our 3rd time at Karen and John’s! We absolute love the location. Private pool and semi private beach area. Also right in the canal with easy access for paddle boarding... read more or kayaking!
Steven
October 31, 2022 -
The Lighthouse has it all. Steps out the front to the beach. There are manmade reef balls just off the shoreline that are great for snorkeling. Steps out the back... read more to the dock with SUPs and kayaks and so many sea turtles! The pool is perfect for a nice cool dip after a morning on the ocean. We opened up the big accordion doors to the pool from the livingroom for all the cooling breezes to come in. The house is in a quiet neighborhood that feels very safe. Soldier aka the resident doggy tour guide quickly became our best friend and beach buddy. My son is now calling our puppy at home Soldier in homage! The bedrooms and bathrooms were well kept and clean. Plenty of clean beach towels, snorkeling gear and pool floats. The kitchen was well stocked with plenty of dishes and utensils for the meals we made. The ACs kept us nice and cool when we used them at night. The view from the top of the lighthouse is amazing with so many stars at night. Karen and John or Nikki were always quick to respond to any questions or needs. Top notch hosts. We would stay here again in a heartbeat!
Lacy
October 15, 2022What can I say, The Light House was everything that the ad said it was and much, much more? My family just got back from a magical week in... read more Provo. This was our first trip to the island and definitely won’t be our last. Karen and John’s Light House could not have been a better home base to explore all Provo has to offer. We literally felt like we had a private beach, private pool, private mangrove lagoon, private rooftop lookout and best of all a private neighborhood guide. The sweet blind Doggo named “Soldier “was the perfect beach guide. Soldier was there every morning to guide us to his beach for a swim and a roll in the sand. Watching the sun finally poking over Blue Mountain to shine bright on smiling Solders face is something I will miss most about Turks and Caicos. We rented a jeep for the week and explored the whole amazing island but we were the most at home and comfortable while hanging out at The Light House. This house has everything you will need to enjoy this beautiful island. We utilized the extensive set of snorkel gear, the numerous paddle boards and the kayaks. The fact that these quality items are provided free of charge is a huge bonus. We spent a lot of time snorkeling on the man-made reef in Thomson Cove as well as all the other more popular reefs all around Provo. We are already planning our next stay with Soldier, Grey Cat, Karin and John. I hope my heartfelt review of this amazing property helps you make the right decision the rent a piece of paradise from Karen and John.
Shane
October 8, 2022Karen was a fantastic communicator leading up to the trip and during our stay. The Lighthouse Cottage is perfect! From the swimming pool, to the views at the top of... read more the lighthouse, to the canal and beach.. you can’t beat it! It had everything you need to enjoy many activities around the cottage. Beach chairs, towels, floats, SUP, kayaks. Soldier, our new dog friend, was the sweetest and we loved his company. I would recommend the lighthouse to everyone!
Christina
September 30, 2022 -
Amazing house is and understatement! We loved staying at the light house cottage, the location is perfect on the island with a private beach nearby and the fun kayaks... read more and paddle boards are a short walk away! We loved kayaking in the canal to watch the sea turtles at dusk (just magical)
Karen an John were super attentive hosts, we really appreciate the prompt communication. Their sweet dog Soldier made our stay even more enjoyable! He walked us to the beach and back, swam with us and watch over our belongings like a true guard dog, it was such a plus to get to meet him! Do not look any further! This house is a gem and can’t wait to come back in the future! Thanks Karen and John!Alex
September 17, 2022Don’t even think about it - just book it! You can get a beautiful home easily, but you cannot beat a location like this! Beach view, minutes walk to ocean,... read more mangrove, kayaks, paddle boards, dock…you name it! The house is just the bonus!! Everything is within 10 min driving distance. Extremely clean. Great kitchen area! Sunset and sunrise views from top of lighthouse - awesome feature! Karen and John were very helpful with any needs. Will stay again!
Joni
September 13, 2022We (two couples) were celebrating a 30th birthday and engagement-moon and the Lighthouse was the perfect venue. Beyond beautiful and very peaceful! The kitchen was fully loaded and very clean.... read more There were beach chairs and large beach bags for guest use. We also took the Kayaks/snorkeling gear out a few times to see the turtles. The private beach is just a minute or two away - perfect for a stroll with morning coffee! And Karen/John are wonderful, super-responsive hosts! Everything was genuinely wonderful and we can’t wait to return!
P.S. We LOVED having Soldier and Roxy around over the weekend. Truly the sweetest pups.Tausha
September 6, 2022 -
The home is super cute and easy access to a beautiful beach. Their dog, Soldier was our bestie all week. As four women, we asked for additional towels but were... read more told we could pay a midweek cleaning fee of $75 since water and electricity is so expensive. Therefore, we did not get clean towels, for a week vaca that was surprising. There are large water bugs in the kitchen, we put everything in the refrigerator but unfortunately, they got in there as well. Overall, it was a great stay.
Monica
July 25, 2022Amazing stay. Great location and pool and dock. Best part is soldier, the dog. He’s so sweet. Also thanks to John and Karen for all my random annoying requests and... read more questions ha. Amazing stay and great outdoor shower!!
Anthony
July 11, 2022