The Queen of the Thimble Islands
About this house rental
Nestled on the captivating Wheeler Island, often hailed as the Queen of the Thimble Islands, this beloved residence was designed with the sole purpose of providing an oasis of joy and relaxation. This magnificent island home boasts eight spacious bedrooms and features enchanting wrap-around porches that offer breathtaking views of Long Island Sound. Positioned on a three-quarter-acre rock, Wheeler Island provides an idyllic escape, combining the tranquility of nature with the comforts of modern living. Embrace the allure of this private retreat, which comes complete with its own, albeit petite, beach—a perfect spot for a refreshing dip or the launch of kayaks to explore the scenic Island chain. Following a day of basking in the sun, feeling the warm sand beneath your feet, and absorbing the invigorating sea breeze, rejuvenate in the outdoor shower that adds a touch of luxury to your island experience. The interior of the house is thoughtfully designed to cater to your every need. Choose to dine indoors in the well-appointed kitchen, featuring modern appliances, a convenient dishwasher, a double sink, and a gas stove, or savor your meals outdoors amid the natural beauty of the island, with a barbecue area and a welcoming fireplace to enhance your dining ambiance. Moreover, the house is equipped with a reliable generator, ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted retreat. Access to Wheeler Island is facilitated either by your own private boat or through the easily accessible public ferry service, which embarks on a short, scenic journey from Stoney Creek Harbor. For detailed directions to Stoney Creek Harbor and comprehensive information regarding the ferry service, as well as parking arrangements, we invite you to explore the Thimble Islands Ferry website at thimbleislandsferry.com. This exceptional island getaway offers a variety of rental options to suit your preferences. During the summer months, indulge in the luxury of week-long rentals, while other times of the year welcome you with a minimum three-night stay to experience the charm and serenity that Wheeler Island has to offer.
Amenities
Air conditioner
Kitchen / Kitchenette
Fireplace
Laundry
Balcony / Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Map of Branford, CT
House in Branford, CT
Reasons to book
People love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Free cancellationFull refund if you change your mind
Includes essentialsGarden, Kitchen / Kitchenette, Air conditioner and more
$$$$
Reviews
5.0/5.0
Outstanding(18 Reviews)
5.0
Great island home to get away from everything.
5.0
From the minute we arrived by boat we knew we arrived at some place special. The first impression was amazing. The house sits up on the rock and the grounds were amazing with flowers and fresh mulch. Wow. The wrap around porches were amazing, tons of bedrooms and so much to do. The little beach was a fan favorite as well. Zero complaints! Was an amazing week and the locals we met in town and on the water commented on how they loved all the activity at Wheeler…they enjoyed watching the kids fish, jump off the dock, jet ski and kayak. Owner was great and the property is better than advertised. The photos do not do it justice at all. Would highly highly recommend!
5.0
I don’t think think I have words to justify the beauty of this place. We had a great time. Our kids still can’t stop talking about it. The owner and property manager was on top of all our needs. The house was very clean and tidy. Waking up to the sound of water was heavenly!!! Looking forward to going back soon!!!
5.0
An incredible place for a memorable and relaxing family gathering. The house is very well designed and maintained, with extraordinary views in every direction. The kitchen is very well equipped and you will want to eat every meal in the porch by the outside. fireplace!
5.0
Easy!
5.0
I almost don't want to write a review because I don't want it to get all booked up! It is just so beautiful. Lush and comfy, the house is perfect. Central air, a view of the water on all sides, star gazing, gorgeous gardens, lots of pillows and good linens on the beds, an open great room, decks everywhere to see the sound. We were in heaven. The sweetest private beach, only a 3 minute boat ride to town. The owner was right there when we needed him. We are a group of women writers, we have done VRBO all over the world, and this was our favorite place yet.
Just make sure you line up transport. The house is VERY close to shore and if you are coming during the summer, the water taxi comes and goes all the time, but they were a tiny bit tough to work with after labor day. You can always kayak out! ;) Definitely amazing. We want to book again right now!
5.0
We had the BEST time staying at The Queen of the Thimble Islands. We couldn’t ask for a better weekend to spend with our closest friends and family to celebrate our wedding. The property was beautiful for all of our pictures getting ready the morning of and the house was comfortable and homey. Thank you for the most amazing place to stay while we celebrated. Book your stay ASAP!
5.0
We stayed on Wheelers Island for a week in late August, and it was the perfect end to the summer. We were two families with young children (ages 2-10). The house was IMMACULATE, and the layout was great for our two families (four rooms upstairs; four rooms downstairs). The amenities are incredible, and the house is fully stocked with everything we needed. James and Lesli have thought of every last thing for their guests. We had wonderful meals on the porch; we swam everyday off the dock and beach; our children played in the yard; we played cards and read and relaxed. It was a perfect vacation and a perfect home. The proximity to land is a huge plus -- you have all the benefits and beauty of your own island, but the boat ride to land is only two minutes long. Very easy! We hope to return next year! Thank you, Jim and Lesli!
5.0
Beautiful and Immaculate home inside with comfortably appointed design and furnishings. Sunlit bathrooms and bedrooms provided plenty of room and nice hot, good pressure showers. The decks became our breezy relaxation at dawn with coffee and at sunset with a family meal. We enjoyed the kayaks and the little beach was so much fun, especially at low tide searching for shells, sea glass and little hermit crabs. Bringing our own jet skis added tons more fun and we loved jumping off the dock and playing on the large lawn with our bocce set and after dark telling spookie stories. We did wish the wifi worked as we run several family businesses, but our hotspots were an acceptable solve. Overall, a Great vacation!
5.0
We decided to go big for my father-in-law's 80th birthday and were pleased to find this place, newly purchased and newly listed. This is a great house-- in great shape, well-maintained and clean. We'd never done the private island thing before but found this an excellent spot for our fam to relax, confined to the island for several days. The house is only a 2 minute boat ride from the mainland dock (and visible from it), but we didn't need to be out in the deep sea to spend lots and lots of time on the house's wraparound porches and rooms with 360 degree water views. Our kids made good use of the beach (at low tide), the lawn on the (south)western side for wiffle ball, and we especially appreciated the kayaks (though one had a seat in need of repair and one of the 4 paddles had a broken side). There were plenty of dishes and household supplies (though we weren't clear on whether we'd need shampoo, etc.-- it helped that we brought some) and beds (12 little beds and 2 queens in 8 rooms). Our only complaints were the arrival of the cleaning crew 2 hours before our checkout time (they hid out in the basement, but it still felt rather inappropriate) and that there was NO HOT WATER to be had on our final (4th) morning at the house. That was not so fun for the morning shower crew! All in all, highly recommended with a few tweaks to be worked out....
5.0
Everything about our stay was perfect. What a beautiful house with plenty of room for all. The small beach was more than enough space for my girls to build sand castles and search for shells during low tide. Everyone from the ferry crew to the property manager was friendly and welcoming. We only wished we packed lighter. There are a lot of stairs from the dock to the house but nothing a few trips couldn’t take care of. This was such a retreat and peaceful well built home to stay in. We absolutely loved it and enjoyed the 365 degree views and extensive outdoor seating options. We highly recommend this location!
5.0
Incredible
We had an absolutely incredible stay. Getting to and from the property was easier then expected. The house is gorgeous and the property itself immaculate. It exceeded our expectations from start to finish!
5.0
wonderful vacation
We had a wonderful time. The place was beautiful and totally enjoyed it. Very spacious.
5.0
I’m still day dreaming about our time on Wheeler Island!
Our family had such an amazing experience on Wheeler Island. The island provided us ample room to enjoy every breathtaking view of the water and the home’s beautiful gardens.
The setting was perfect for truly connecting with one another which was the ultimate goal for our family that’s scattered across different states. The decks were indeed a favorite landing spot and the outdoor dining table was perfect for meals and a special birthday celebration.
I also appreciate Jim’s timely responses to emails and the property manager’s friendly and professional demeanor.
Thank you for providing such a memorable experience as your home was perfect for our family. We’ll look forward to an opportunity to return in the future!
5.0
Just beautiful!
The surroundings, the weather, the atmosphere were all wonderful. The house is beautiful and comfortable. The host is very responsive and so nice! Hope to be back next year.
5.0
Amazing private spot
Absolute love this place, beautiful views, spacious, nice and clean, good response time from owner, thank you!
5.0
Amazing Getaway!
We had such an amazing long weekend getaway on our own private island! The house had everything you could ever need (and more!). We traveled with 13 adults and it never felt crowded or cramped at all. The sunsets over the water on the deck were some of the most incredible ones we have ever seen, and coffee in the rocking chairs overlooking the water were some of the most peaceful mornings! The ferry rides are a little tough to figure out and schedule, but once you have it down, it’s not too bad. The promptness of the property manager was excellent when we had one question / needed help. five stars!! would return again without hesitation!
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Branford?
The average price for a rental in Branford is $452 per night. This rental is $1,066 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Parking is not specified as an available amenity at The Queen of the Thimble Islands. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this house. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is The Queen of the Thimble Islands pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at The Queen of the Thimble Islands?
We found 8 amenities for this rental. This includes air conditioner, kitchen / kitchenette, fireplace, laundry, and balcony / patio.
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