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
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The Lighthouse was the perfect spot for our first trip to T&C. Karen provided us with a great guide for the island and the house, which is located in... read more a nice, quiet spot on the island. We loved the beach, walking with Solider, and relaxing in the pool. Rent a car from Grace Bay Rentals, grab coffee from Lemon 2 Go, and have a treat from SweetFix!
Bob
August 9, 2023The house is tucked in a nice neighborhood with a great beach just a very short and easy walk away. Both bedrooms are separate from the living and kitchen area.... read more It was great for 2 couples. The grounds and pool are nice and clean and the kitchen had everything we needed to cook simple meals. We really enjoyed snorkeling at the beach; it’s best during high tide when u can swim over the coral balls. We saw several turtles while snorkeling and while kayaking in the canal. You have to drive to all the restaurants and grocery stores except for da conch shack so a rental car is a must. I don’t like the crowded touristy areas so this house was perfect for us, we were the only ones on the beach. But if u want to go to the touristy area it is about a 15 minute easy drive away.
Laura
August 1, 2023Our family of 4 had such a wonderful time at this Lighthouse in paradise for my 50th birthday!!! Karen and John (and Soldier) were fantastic hosts!! Friendly, inviting and super... read more responsive!! if you are reading these reviews (as I always do) and deciding where to stay in Turks and Caicos, here is your place!! It was very close to the airport, extremely quiet and relaxing with a beautiful private beach and a canal full of sea turtles waiting to be explored on the kayaks and paddleboards provided with the house!
And did we mention Soldier!?? Definitely the sweetest surprise and highlight of our stay. You will fall in love with the home and the pup ambassador!
<3Jenna
July 24, 2023 -
We had a great vacation at the Lighthouse. Karen and John are great hosts, as is Soldier who was with us every day and loved to show us to the... read more beach (he has a funny way of drying off after a swim). Thompson Cove is private, seemed safe and sparsely populated, which was nice. Good position between the sea (snorkel/swim) and the canal (kayak/SUP). Pool is great after a hot afternoon out and about. The cottage was supplied well and we did not lack anything. Check in and check out were very easy and convenient, which is appreciated as it can be stressful for travelers. A car is necessary for getting around, and it only took me one day to switch my brain to left side driving.... Hope we can come back.
Christopher
July 15, 2023Our stay at the Lighthouse Cottage was nothing short of amazing! In every way!! Karen and John are wonderful hosts. We had everything we needed for a perfect family vacation!... read more And sweet Soldier became a furry member of our family! Will miss that sweet boy so much! We will be back!!
Grace
July 7, 2023The lighthouse is a quiet and spacious refuge far from the crowds. You’ve got beach access just across the street from multi-million dollar oceanfront homes. Not the same, pristine water... read more as other parts of the island, but it’s decent. Neighbors have graciously created a protected lagoon that would be great for small children. The private pool was nice for cooling off at the end of the day—and the innovative layout allows you collapse the walls and let the outside in. The rooms are spare, but spacious, and we appreciated having bedrooms that were separated from main space. Having a car is critical for this location and thankfully we took Karen’s advice and rented a car (be sure to book ahead as none were available same-day). The furnishings are starting to show some wear, but did not detract overall. The Lighthouse offers a clean, comfortable stay and a lot of potential.
Chris
July 2, 2023 -
The Lighthouse was a great place to spend our time while in TC. The place is everything the listing says it is. We loved being able to use... read more the SUPS in the canal and being able to walk to the beach in 3 minutes. The pool was great place to have a dip and get out of the sun in the afternoons. Soldier the family dog was an added bonus, a great companion and tour guide. Karen’s place was very clean and easy to navigate. It is a private neighborhood on a private beach and felt very safe. Highly recommend.
Leigh
June 28, 2023We had the most incredible stay at the Lighthouse, and I can’t express enough how magical this property is.
From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by... read more the sheer beauty of the place. The bedrooms were perfect. Lighthouse views incredible. We loved the kitchen/living room area that opened up to the inviting pool, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. Tranquil, rejuvenating vibes all around.
Karen and John were exceptional in their communication both before and during our stay. They were prompt, friendly, and made us feel incredibly welcome. Soldier the pup was our tour guide, leading us to the beach and faithfully guarding the base of the lighthouse.
This was a special trip with my 15yo son. We had everything we needed to create cherished memories. We engaged in heartfelt conversations and shared laughter that will forever be etched in our hearts.
This property far exceeded our expectations in every way imaginable, and we eagerly look forward to our next visit.Susie
June 22, 2023We had a WONDERFUL time at the Lighthouse Cottage. It was comfortable and absolutely perfect for two couples to have their own private rooms. The pool was refreshing and the... read more dock at the canal provided relaxation, paddle boarding, kayaking, and just plain old peace. We loved watching the sea turtles in the canal and going to the beautiful beach!
I can’t say enough about our host, Karen. It feels like we have known her all our lives. She gave us great suggestions for shopping, eating, and entertainment. We could have spent every day at Omar’s. All of our kids are jealous, to say the least!
Thompson Cove, where the house is located, felt VERY safe. We saw a security guard checking on things often. The place seems like it didn’t even need any security.
We had some great laughs together on our trip, especially when it came to driving on the opposite side of the road and navigating through the “give way” traffic circles. I highly recommend renting a car. We traveled the entire island. ❤️Julie
June 16, 2023 -
Fabulous house with amenities. Walking distance to your own beach to snorkel, private pool and great views from the top of the lighthouse. Away from the hustle of... read more Grace Bay, but a short drive if you need to be there. Karen was a very responsive host and gave us much appreciated suggestions during our first time on Turks & Caicos!
Linda
June 9, 2023Karen and John are wonderful hosts! The house was absolutely amazing and offered us a peaceful vacation. Karen was very responsive and so incredibly kind to offer all sorts of... read more recommendations from grocery stores to things to do. I would definitely use them again!
Carey
June 4, 2023We had a wonderful stay at Karen’s place! So close to a quiet stretch of beach…you can walk to da conch shack!! There were beach towels and beach chairs that... read more were super easy to tote around. The rooms were cozy with comfortable beds. The kitchen had all the we needed. The slider doors don’t seal so make sure you have bug spray for that area. All in all a great stay with beauty all around!! Thank you so much Karen!!
Karina
May 28, 2023 -
We had a fantastic stay at the LightHouse Cottage. Karen and John have created a vacation oasis. There is so much to recommend -- morning coffee at... read more the dock, kayaking/paddling in the canal, snorkeling on the local beach where we saw turtles, sting rays and more only a few minutes walk away. Can't forget the view from the lighthouse, dips in the private pool, the patio and grill, the comfortable beds, the well stocked kitchen, not to mention our new friend Soldier.
The hosts are super responsive -- Karen gave us great advice and recommendations -- Snorkeling at Smith's Reef, Coral Gardens, places to eat... Da Conch Shack, Bay Bistro, Omar's Hut, Somewhere Cafe -- didn't get a chance to check out Cocovan -- but all recommendations that we did try were spot on.
Wonderful, unforgettable stay. Thank you Karen and John!Margaret
May 9, 2023This was our second time staying with Karen and John and our first at the Lighthouse. They are amazing hosts and so responsive to any questions. Trust me when I... read more say the pictures don't do it justice. The views and the house are gorgeous. The layout is perfect for two couples, lots of space to hang out together and still have privacy in your own suite. We spent most mornings enjoying our coffee at the top of the Lighthouse or down by the dock. The Lighthouse is the perfect homebase to explore the island and its beautiful beaches, Taylor Bay Beach was our favorite! Evenings were spent with a bottle of wine and a sunset view from the Lighthouse. But the cherry on top of the perfect vacation was Soldier, our official Mascot and vacation buddy. He is the perfect host, loves bacon and he knows where the beach is, just ask him and he will walk you there! Thank you Karen, John and Soldier for an amazing experience.
Mike
April 15, 2023We absolutely loved our stay at the Lighthouse. It was even better than we imagined it would be from the pictures. The house is in a nice neighborhood, private, and... read more well stocked with everything you would need, (including kayaks and snorkeling gear). Morning paddles on the canal watching turtles, fish and birds. Lovely peaceful walks on the beach, seeing more conch shells washed ashore than people. Coffee and drinks on top of the lighthouse watching sunrises and sunsets. Walk on the beach to da conch shack for dinner. Lazy days around the pool. Amazing snorkeling and beach just steps away from the house. Plus, very easy drives to everything else Provo has to offer. The guest book gave great recommendations from past guests. Overall, an amazing stay! Thank you to Karen for being such a great host. And thanks to Soldier (Karen’s dog) for being a great pup host.
Jeremy
April 6, 2023 -
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