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

    thumb Susan
    March 25, 2023

      Karen and John were most responsive. We could not have asked for a more relaxing stay and the lighthouse cottage. We highly recommend.

    thumb Douglas
    March 17, 2023

      Wow! 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

    thumb 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

    thumb Kelly
    March 3, 2023

      This 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

    thumb Lyn
    February 24, 2023

      A 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

    thumb 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

    thumb Clint
    February 16, 2023

      Had 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

    thumb Michael
    February 11, 2023

      We 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

    thumb 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.

    thumb Adrian
    January 27, 2023

      We 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

    thumb Catherine
    January 23, 2023

      We 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

    thumb 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

    thumb Jessica
    December 24, 2022

      Karen’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

    thumb Eva
    December 13, 2022

      We 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

    thumb 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

    thumb Rob
    December 2, 2022

      The 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

    thumb Richard
    November 28, 2022

      Really fantastic spot, lovely hosts, friends pups, beautiful setting!

    thumb Marina
    November 24, 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

    thumb Alex
    November 16, 2022

      We 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

    thumb Kelly
    November 5, 2022

      Our 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

    thumb 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

    thumb Lacy
    October 15, 2022

      What 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

    thumb Shane
    October 8, 2022

      Karen 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

    thumb 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

    thumb Alex
    September 17, 2022

      Don’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

    thumb Joni
    September 13, 2022

      We (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

    thumb 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

    thumb Monica
    July 25, 2022

      We have such a wonderful time! Such a lovely home and location, thank you!

    thumb Reathanak
    July 17, 2022

      Amazing 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

    thumb Anthony
    July 11, 2022