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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We had the most amazing vacation to Turks & Caicos. We made so many wonderful memories and our place was part of that. Pool time at night, visits from Soldier... read more and Chai, perfect split house for privacy but felt perfectly safe. Karen was fantastic in every way. We will be back!
August 18, 2024We had a wonderful stay at the Lighthouse! Just a short walk to the beach, access to kayaks and SUPs and a great canal/preserve to explore. We LOVED having Soldier... read more as our host the entire week! Karen provided a lot of helpful information in advance which made our stay even better. We hope to come back again soon!
August 2, 2024This spot was magical for our family. Great space for people with kids. Our son jumped from the living room into the pool while we cooked dinner. We had furry... read more friends to accompany us (chai and Soldier) throughout the day. We enjoyed our walks to the beach and kayaking. Having separate sleeping locations was clutch so we could put our son to bed and watch a movie in the other room or go for a late night swim in the lit pool.
July 22, 2024 -
Loved the near by private beach. The kayaks provided free of charge was awsome. the canal was beautiful and the turtles adorable. Mr. soldier made sure we were safe and... read more led us right down to the private beach. Thank you Karen, John, Soldier and Island Dolly (Adorable cat).
July 14, 2024 -
Our stay at the Lighthouse can be described as “Rest, Relax, and Repeat”, just what the doctor ordered. It was nice to stay in a place away from... read more the hustle and bustle of busy resort activity. The privacy and amenities were perfect. Karen was a pleasure to interact with and she made sure everything was taken care of. I would highly recommend the Lighthouse to anyone looking for tranquility in a beautiful villa, just a stone’s throw from the beach.
June 26, 2024We loved our visit at the Lighthouse! The beach is a 3 min walk and is beautiful and quiet. We loved having kayaks and paddleboards available to go out and... read more see the turtles. The best part of our stay was our daily visits from Soldier! We loved having him around to hang out or go down to the beach and swim.
June 12, 2024The Lighthouse is absolutely perfect! We (4 people total - 2 couples) had a beautiful 4 night stay (wish it was longer). The accommodations with a King bed... read more each room, are a rare find. We gathered together in the inside living space and outdoor living space each morning and afternoon/evening. John and Karen as hosts really have thought about every detail. Bathrooms have shower gel, shampoo and conditioner, enough toilet paper to last for our short visit (we brought extra and left it). Kitchen supplied with ample seasonings, coffee starter kit and more. Appreciated the board games, beach equipment, sunscreen and bug spray. Pool = perfect, beach = private, short walk with soo many sea turtles 🐢. Kayak and paddle boards an awesome amenity. The lighthouse itself is wonderful - a great coffee spot and evening sunsets too!
Communication before, during and post stay - excellent. As a host myself, I definitely recommend this home and hope we return again soon!
May 8, 2024 -
Karen and the Lighthouse deserve the highest possible rating; if I could give it more than a 5 I certainly would. . I probably drove her batty with... read more questions about the area in the months before we arrived in TC but she answered all of my questions with kindness and candor. Karen is a superb host.
Everything about our stay in the Lighthouse exceeded our expectations. The Lighthouse is simply idyllic! We arrived home last night and I already miss my late night glass of wine on the top of the lighthouse. We would return to the Lighthouse in a heartbeat. I can recommend Karen without the slightest hesitation.
May 1, 2024Our family had an amazing stay at the Lighthouse! Karen was the perfect host, always responsive and very kind! The house is perfectly situated only few steps from the quiet... read more and beautiful beach and the lovely patio by the channel. The beach is great for snorkeling and a fantastic place to swim with the sea turtles! We enjoyed the swimming pool and hanging out in the “courtyard” as well as the beautiful lighthouse tower for great views and the sunset. We hope to be back very soon!
April 21, 2024The Lighthouse was a great place for a private relaxing vacation and Karen was on top of every query we had. The property was an easy drive from the... read more airport and made the whole island accessible with the rental car we rented. There was an awesome island vibe and the Lighthouse tower was a favorite place to look out at the water, relax, and drink an adult beverage. The pool was nice to hang out by and cooled you down on those hot days. For those that do not want to eat every meal out, the kitchen and gas grill were added benefits. The landscaping and the courtyard added a nice privacy for those that enjoy laying out around the pool. The paddle boards and kayaks were also useful in looking at sea turtles in the canal leading to the ocean.
We had a great time and was blessed with great weather for the most part, and when it rained we played games in the living area. Thanks again Karen for being the best host.
March 26, 2024 -
Perfect location and so easy to walk to the beach. Chairs, towels, umbrella and small cooler available. Open up the doors to jump right in the pool from the living... read more area! Walk down to the canal to kayak and look for sea turtles. Great for two couples!
March 18, 2024We could not have asked for more from our time at the Lighthouse. From the moment we pulled up until the moment we left we had such a wonderful time.... read more The home is beautiful, fun, clean and creative - from the lighthouse where we watched the sunrise and sunsets, to the open-air concept kitchen and living room to the great swim-up pool - it was perfect. Karen and John were fantastic hosts and ensured we had what we needed and even offered advice on how to navigate the island and tips on where to go and when. They also had all the extras we could ask for, including snorkel gear and beach toys. There is a path leading to a private dock where they had paddle boards and kayaks we could use. We had a blast taking them out through the local canal to the beautiful ocean and secluded beach nearby (also available via a short walk). Our family loved our time at the Lighthouse and if we come back we would absolutely try and stay here again.
March 12, 2024The Lighthouse Cottage offers a very comfortable and private place to stay. It’s off the beaten path. Well away from the large resorts yet a short drive to all you... read more might need and a lovely beach walk to Da Conch Shack. The beach truly is steps away and amazing. We frequently had the beach to ourselves. Having kayaks and paddle boards to explore the canals and watch the turtles is a bonus. Views from the tower are amazing. On top of being a great place to stay Karen is an excellent host. Very responsive to any questions. She’s friendly and welcoming but leaves you your space to make the place feel like yours. Truly and exceptional stay. We’ll be back!
March 2, 2024 -
Great place to stay with outstanding beach a 2 minute walk. Use of kayak and SUP on kayak( less then minute walk) was our start to every day in... read more canal and ocean when calm enough. Everything about house and host was outstanding. Only downfall is no access to washer/ dryer, but that is in the description so not a surprise. Thanks, Karen and Soldier for a great week.
February 24, 2024Fantastic location having the canal and the beach all in walking distance. The Stand up paddle boards and kayaks in the canal are a great way to start the... read more am with turtles. The beach is pristine. Soldier, the dog is wonderful and greets you each morning to walk down to the beach or hang out. The house is beautiful and clean. Karen is very quick to respond to any questions or needs. Couldn’t have been a better experience.
February 11, 2024Karen and John were phenomenal hosts. They made sure we had all the information we needed and were happy to give additional suggestions for restaurants, things to do etc.
... read more /> Of course Soldier was the star of our stay - we booked the whole trips only after we saw him on the news and wanted to meet him. He alone is worth the trip, but the property and beach are perfection too, and the island is absolutely stunning.
February 7, 2024 -
Karen's Lighthouse villa was perfect! Great location with an easy walk to the beach, which was small but the sand and water were beautiful and it was very private. ... read more It was a short drive to restaurants and other beaches including Sapodilla Bay, and the resort area of Grace Bay. The villa was very cozy, we cooked breakfast every morning, and after coming home from dinner it was great to open up all the doors, have a glass of wine and listen to some music. The pool was so nice to take a dip and cool off. And the deck down at the canal was a peaceful spot to have coffee in the morning, and taking the Kayaks out provided a very peaceful morning activity. Karen was super responsive to all of our questions and provided some really good recommendations. Overall I highly recommend Karen's villa for your trip to Turks and Caico's!
February 3, 2024Karen is the most personable host. From weeks prior to arrival, well over a year she reached out. Karen has been so reachable by text, and responded immediately. From estate... read more information, to local “belonger” areas to try and experience. The lighthouse on the property is amazing. What a view!! The pool, seriously? Doesn’t get any better. The walk way to the Canal. Like walking no through a fairy tale. The SUP boards and kayaks. The home is a resort. Not to mention the “walk” the stroll to the beach. The “private beach” absolutely perfect. The reef ball, well to say the fish swim there… is an understatement. I was so fortunate to see 2 sea-turtles right up front of my face. It was surreal. I may never pay for snorkeling tour again in the Caribbean. This area was, this home, the beach, the snorkel site.. magic. Words can’t
January 27, 2024 -
We loved staying at the lighthouse! We were looking for something a little quieter and off the beaten path, with a private pool. The lighthouse checked all the boxes and... read more then some! The beach is amazing and just a few steps away. You can also kayak there if you’re not up for the 6-minute walk! Everything was beautiful and we loved star gazing from the top of the lighthouse. Karen could not have been nicer. Overall, one of my fave Airbnb experiences!
January 15, 2024Karen and John were great hosts and made our stay very comfortable. This was our second time in Provo and we loved more than the last one.
Quiet location,... read more lovely lighthouse and next to beach.
December 28, 2023Our family had a fabulous stay at the Lighthouse Cottage! The location and house were absolutely beautiful! Karen was a great host! We loved the beach and all... read more the recommendations! Truly a memorable vacation for our family! Thank you Karen!
November 28, 2023 -
This was our first visit to Turks & Caicos and we loved our stay at the LightHouse Cottage!
Karen was extremely helpful at every step from our initial reservation... read more until the end of the stay. She was very friendly and responded quickly whenever we emailed or texted her; her instructions were very clear and detailed and she was always happy to provide recommendations when we asked for them. Indeed, she proactively addressed many of our questions in her thorough welcoming emails even before we thought of them.
The LightHouse is a lovely, well-designed home in a quiet area - we enjoyed swimming at the nearby lovely cove and kayaking/paddleboarding in the adjacent canal. The house was very clean and well kept and Karen and Herline addressed all our needs very promptly.
TCI is absolutely wonderful and the LightHouse is an excellent base from which to explore the islands.
November 21, 2023🩷Heaven on earth🩷. If you’re looking to get away from the crowds of Grace Bay, Karen’s place is an amazing retreat. The layout is absolutely perfect for 2 couples. ... read more 2 great rooms with air conditioning!
Most of our time was spent in Thompson Cove Beach bc it was less than a five minute walk and was just as beautiful a beach as anywhere on the island. The canal had SUPs and kayaks and was such an amazing place to explore. Each morning my husband paddle boarded over to this little part of the beach I liked to walk to and we met up.
Karen is the perfect host- friendly, communicative and responsive. The sweetest part is Soldier. That good boy really did come every morning and walk us to the beach. He is only half alive- I don’t know what Karen is feeding him! But he is very very chill and very sweet.
Karen’s place is really a hidden gem and made us feel less like a tourist and more completely just at peace with our surroundings. It was just the getaway we needed for our busy lives. 🩷
November 11, 2023The Lighthouse is an incredible place to stay and enjoy all the island has to offer. The lighthouse itself is a very cool feature and perfect for morning coffee and... read more evening wines as the view is stunning! The house itself is very cool. 3 individual living spaces with the living room and kitchen, and two separate bedrooms. We stayed in the lower room because the outdoor shower was amazing. More outdoor showers are needed in life!
There’s a short walk to the canal and there are kayaks and SUPs to use. Highly recommend morning paddles.
Karen and John were extremely welcoming and made sure our stay was perfect. They were very responsive and helpful. Not to mention the daily visits from Soldier the dog!
We will absolutely stay here again and you won’t regret it if you do! One note if you’ve never been to Provo, the neighborhood is private and away from the center of the action. Which was great for us but you will need to rent a car.
Thank you Karen and John!!
November 3, 2023 -
Karen and John were fantastic hosts and the house was lovely . . It was exactly what we needed for our vacation! We loved the private beach, the private... read more pool and the kayaks . . . We saw sea turtles each time we took the kayaks out. John and Karen’s recommendations for the island were extremely helpful. And, we also enjoyed the company of their adorable dog Soldier, we already miss him! Thank you again for being wonderful hosts.
October 7, 2023We (2 couples) absolutely loved our stay at Karen's! We had a slight issue with the AC, and her partner, John, came over that night to help us find a... read more solution. We loved having our coffees and cocktails on the lighthouse and going for a dip in the paddling pool. Would love to return one day. Thank you for having us!!
September 24, 2023The 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!
August 9, 2023