What clients say about Hawk’s Nest Beach in Old Lyme Township (CT)
Staff was cordial and nice enough, location was good, beach was small but good. The only setback to this place was the cleanliness of the Cottage. The staff stated that it was cleaned before we arrived, this was completely false. The Cottage was not cleaned this you could clearly see. The amount of money that was given to rent the cottage was so not worth it. We spent the better part of two hours cleaning the Cottage and on top of that needed to make a stop to purchase cleaning supplies. Make sure before booking that they make sure the cottage you are staying in is cleaned not just walked through. My stay was after 4th of July 2024.
Don’t fall for this listing. The unit is unavailable and the Family corporation doesn’t respond to phone call or emails. While the corporation under Perry SR( the father) was reputable, I have had very poor experience since it was broken up. Be very cautious of any listings under this name and don’t send any payments. Very unfortunate since the product and service used to be stellar. Deal with Jen directly. She’ll respond and provide up. Don’t bother with the Hawks Nest Corporation
I have been lucky enough to live here for the past 3 years. This community is amazing. The Garvins Family is truly one of a kind. Beach life at best. Our sunrises and sunsets throughout the year are spectacular.
This review is long overdue. My family has rented from the Garvin family/Hawk’s Nest Beach for 39 years. In 1985 we rented for 2 weeks during the summer, then 3 weeks, then added Columbus weekend and then extended our fall stay. We have even rented in the winter and spent Christmas at the beach- a bucket list item. Now that we are retired we are lucky to spend 6 months at HNB. My children and now my grandchildren get to experience a wonderful family beach. By HNB standards 39 years is not considered a long history. We have met families that have been renting for more than 50 years and I love hearing their beach stories. HNB is a special place. The Garvin family has always been attentive to any issues. I also appreciate when a Garvin family member just stops by to say hello.
I am so happy this beach community exists. That my grandchildren can participate in the same activities that my children did, lolly pop hunts, talent shows, arts and crafts, parades, crabbing, and sandcastles. This beach is the perfect place to learn how to ride a 2 wheeler or a balance bike or even navigate a paddle board. I am happy to call the Garvin family friends and look forward to many more years at HNB. Summer is all about making memories and this is the perfect family beach destination.
Stayed with my girlfriend and her daughter and the dog ! So nice they allow pets beautiful, quiet and the cottage was so clean and up to date the owner is very responsive and is a phone call away I highly recommend renting here ,we loved it and will be back
Worst experience ever. If you don’t rent beach front you don’t have full access to the beach!
My family has rented from them for 20+ years we never had issues. Every year most families finds spots in the beach wherever, we did so along with other families.
Later the owner (Julie) daughter informed kids of my family who were just visting for the day, but she did but not inform my parents, the ones renting , that we couldnt be there. The next morning I went ready to sit on the beach, to our stuff moved, by other renters, who placed a large tent in the area. After confronting them confused on why someone would even touch others stuff, since in our experience everyone has been respectful and even leave there own stuff through the week. Asking them why they moved my stuff I was told I couldnt be on that side of the beach. The property manager came and explained there are new rules, all the cottages on the street are expected to only have access in the small center of the beach.
Later instead of apologizing for not explaining these new rules the owner (Julie) daughter came to me rudely telling me that I handled the situation poorly?? Since my family and I were upset that people would move our stuff and when for years we have had access to sit anywhere on the beach. No one was aware of these new rules and she told kids instead of the people actually renting. After talking to neighbors renting they also did not know of these new rules.
After moving my stuff to the high tide line where no one can own she was still unsatisfied and kicked us out on a power trip after my family told her we weren’t happy about this so we won’t be renting any longer.
When walking to the cottage to pack up, her father (julies husband) saw us and got in my dad's face yelling even though we were complying. Threatening and saying "I know you were trouble when I first laid eyes on you". Noting my dad is middle eastern and julies husband was stereotyping us based on how we looked. I don't believe this situation would have happened like this if we were as white as the other renters.
If you want to go to a place that makes ur feet dirty and black on the bottom just to be near the beach go ahead. I recommend to use the money on something nicer where you don't need to worry about cleanliness and squishing into the center of the beach along with 8+ other families who don't have beach fronts.
Julie was absolutely horrible, extremely rude. my dog got fleas when I was there. The cottages were disgusting, my feet were completely black after walking around INSIDE the place. You can tell that they only care about money, but don’t want to spend the money to make the place nice
Definitely go elsewhere. They only want to rent to rich white people, and will cause problems for you if you don’t fit in with what they want.
I recently had an unfortunate experience with racial profiling. I was in a private beach that I paid for when I was approached by a woman and asked if I was a guest. I was immediately assumed to be loitering instead of simply enjoying the space. This was a blatant example of racial profiling and it was very disheartening to experience.
This type of discrimination is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. I think more awareness needs to be raised in order to prevent this from happening to anyone else in the future. People should not be treated differently because of their race or ethnicity. Everyone has the right to be respected regardless of their background.
No one should have to experience something like this. Racial profiling needs to be taken seriously and steps need to be taken to prevent this type of discrimination from occurring. It’s a violation of basic human rights and no one should have to endure this kind of treatment. The women that has partial owner ship is very rude and just cares about how much money people spend… the last owner he was a heavenly person!
Hawks Nest Beach, OldLyme Ct. Is the best vacation for family's or friends to enjoy. My family started going there I believe 1937. They were there in 1938. When that hurrican hit the East Coast. We had the 4th generation going there but the economy prevents us from going back, which breaks all our hearts. A FAMILY OR A GROUP OF FRIENDS, AND Do yourself a favor RENT NOW
My family has been going to Hawks Nest for many years, We love it there and go every for a June and a week in October! We are great Hawk's Nest fans for over 30 years. No Place is better!
I recently spent a night with my sister and her family at their yearly cottage rental/ vacation..
The cottage was updated, very clean and well maintained. And hearing and seeing the beach so close was really nice. We went down to the beach at sunset and watched the full moon come out..
I give it a "10 seagull rating" !
Been going to Hawks Nest since I was born. Always loved it as a kid and still enjoy sitting on the porch of waterfront cottage watching the Sound and walking to "the wall" and to Garvins. Nice family atmosphere.
Good family oriented place. Owner very responsive when something didn’t work in the cottage. Fixed the same day within hours. No AC, bring your fans and you will be ok. Beach is not too crowed, full of shells. Old time feeling environment.
Google says I've got a reviewing streak or something, so here goes.
I've been coming to this beach, one week a year, for more than half a decade.
They rent out cottages, which comes with access to a private strip of beach, full kitchen, wifi, access to a site owned general store, and in some cases, a washer-dryer unit. They've also got some well maintained tennis courts and are very pet friendly (there are so many good dogs here, y'all).
During weekdays, the staff host small, optional events (sand castle contests, crabbing, movie night) for kids and adults alike. There's also occasionally some pretty good doughnuts for sale in the morning, but I never did find out whether the site organized that, or a third party.
Awesome vacation spot. My wife and son have been a few years in a row now. The beach we have access to through our rental is great. Look to H.P. Garvins in old Lyme for their rentals. Their family operated rentals and general store are great and welcoming. During the 4th of July they have typically not during Covid-19 of course but in previous years they do a ton of family friendly activities, egg toss, cook out, kids parade, grease pole for the kids to try and climb to reach money taped to it and a few other things during the day. Fireworks at night. Great area for family walks and bike rides. Carousel, couple places to eat and ice cream walk in side streets walking distance.
For a retro beach experience (safe, neighborly, small private family friendly, rustic), this is the place our family has preferred over traveling from MD to the NC outer Banks. Where else can do the kids get to parade down the street singing together about their fresh donuts for sale. True memory makers for everyone.
What an absolutely beautiful experience!! My parents rent a house on Hawks Nest Beach every year for a week and we look forward to it every year! It's a beautiful location and the kids enjoy every moment. The store is so close and they have such cute things, I hope to be able to do this every year for years and years to come!
What a wonderful week..thanks to the crew that keeps Hawks Nest so family friendly and inviting..they go out of their way to make sure your happy...love love this place..its my happy place..see you next year
Happy family reunion! Family came from Denver, Maine and California. It was absolutely perfect for all of us with children and elders to swim, fish play tennis and have beach games, card games cook lobsters and relax! Coming back again next month!
Small, family-oriented beach. Went here for the fourth this year. There’s a tennis court & a cute little country store with snacks and souvenirs. There was a kid parade, giant water balloon contest, free lunch, watermelon, and lemonade. And fireworks at night. The beach is definitely shelly but it’s beautiful and less crowded than the beach next store. the beach is lined with small adorable cottages, too
Many generations if going to the cottages. While they have done a little work in maintaining the cottages...it's really about the location and people. You and your children will make lifetime friends. They have activities for the kids...so it's kind of like a family camp.
The best peaceful community. Dogs are allowed on the beach, nicest people in the cottages!
I 've been going now 4th year. It always relaxes, and calms me.
Brought my family for a weeks vacation. Many activities for children, clean spacious cottages, store for supplies and candy/ice cream. The beaches are kept clean and its pet friendly.
Just spent a week at Hawk's Nest Resort. Unfortunately the cabin was dirty and disgusting. We cleaned and bleached when we arrived, then again when we left. Maybe the local health department should plan surprise visits.
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