We have rented a few dozen vacation homes over the years and the Enchanted Rainforest Hideaway is without question in the top two. It is a truly magical property in so many ways and the best Christmas "gift" we have had in years.

The advance information from Connie and Andrew was excellent: detailed driving directions, great information about the property, and unusually detailed information about the District. The hosts went "above and beyond" in meeting up with us on the moment of our arrival on Christmas Eve, greeting us with lights on and a very warm welcome.

We felt like the house was tailor-made to our preferences as people who love to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor life. The screened-in, open air main room of the house is fresh and bright and was comfortable day and night, during sunshine, and especially when it rained. We happily slept with the bedroom doors and window open and never needed the mosquito net provided. (And for anyone who's worried about bugs, the indoor space was remarkably insect-free.)

While technically a "tiny" house, the Hideaway feels spacious and the design is really well-thought out, each room is of ample size and efficient. The outdoor space is fantastic--a wood deck on two sides and really beautiful grounds. We had a couple of rainy days, and were delighted to set up the table and chairs from the deck in the carport for drinking coffee and reading in the morning and playing games and having a beer in the evening.

We have never seen a rental that is so thoughtfully appointed, anticipating every possible need a guest could have: from umbrellas to bathrobes and slippers, enough towels to last a month, spare blankets, beach toys, a clothes drying rack, q-tips and toiletries in the bathroom. The kitchen is over the top in terms of being well-equipped with dishes, pans, spices and other cooking essentials, coffee and tea. The washer and dryer were put to good use, as well as the claw foot tub in the bathroom and the outdoor shower. The wifi allowed us to connect with the outside world just enough to remind us that we really weren't dreaming this fabulous place--it was indeed real and it was ours for a week.

There were fresh flower arrangements in every room--local flowers and foliage splendidly arranged--this special touch exemplifies the great thought that has gone into making the Hideaway a truly exceptional property.

Here's the only problem with the Hideaway--we didn't want to leave! We did tear ourselves away to explore quite a bit of the magical the country on the windward side of the island, but on several days we chose instead to stay put and enjoy the Hideaway. We cooked, read, sat in the sun, enjoyed the rain, played cards, and at least once an hour looked at each other wide-eyed and said "Can you believe this place?!"

Thanks, Andrew and Connie, for this special space, our perfect holiday Hideaway.