We enjoyed five nights at Holbrook House in October 2025. The location is perfect - very close to the train station and a short drive or 15 minute walk to the historic downtown area. We debated between staying in Gloucester or Rockport and definitely made the right choice with Rockport. It is a charming seaside village with a bunch of shops and eateries all within an easily walkable area.This property is perfect for a family of four or a couple. The queen bedroom is a little tight, but we were only two. We used the second bedroom as a space to unpack and change. The living area is very cozy and comfortable. We enjoyed winding down there in the evenings and appreciated the abundance of extra blankets to cuddle up in. The kitchen had everything that we needed, including a coffee maker and basic provisions.Parking in the area can be difficult, so it was very nice to have dedicated parking right in front of the property. We also took advantage of the laundry facilities which were full-sized and in great condition. Note that only the laundry room is on the lower (street) level, so it is necessary to navigate stairs to reach the living space on the upper level.Fran and Frank were wonderful hosts. They left information out for us specific to our travels and provided recommendations about places to visit. The communication was great and they checked in a few times to be sure we had everything we needed. We would happily return here again in the future!
This house was in a convenient location, easy walk of about 5 minutes to Front Beach. Quiet neighborhood. Kitchen very well stocked. Couldnât think of anything to add or change to this property. Communication smooth with owners, very prompt replies. Parking easy, off street.
The kitchen was well equipped. Clothes washer/dryer were large and modern. The place was well located so we could walk to many of the places we wanted to visit.
Perfect house in a perfect location for a relaxing family vacation. Well stocked home with all the amenities you need. Walkable to the center of town, the beach and beautiful park.
What a gem of a property and Fran and Frank are amazingly kind people! It's just everything you need in exactly the right spot for a fun and affordable stay in Rockport! Excellent communication with the owners. We can't thank them enough for the insider tips and making sure our stay was truly special. It's such a lovely part of the Northeast and we would highly recommend staying here. Hoping to be back soon!
This was our second time to stay at the Holbrook House, we love the location relative to town and beach. The house was clean, comfortable, and suited our needs for a family of four.
Holbrook House is the perfect place to unwind after spending a day in Rockport or exploring the various towns and beaches on Cape Ann. It is an easy walk to the beach, restaurants, shopping and the Shalin Liu Performance Center (make sure to check out the stunning view from inside the theater!). Hosts Fran and Frank are very responsive, answering every question I had quickly. When asked for ideas of what to do, Fran provided an extensive list, complete with links to each activity ⊠and she followed up later to ask how we enjoyed any of these activities. The house is well equipped with bathroom toiletries, kitchen complete with all cooking and needed utensils, a wonderful couch on which to lounge and a comfy hair on which to recline. The house has central air (SO important on those hot summer days) and is on a blissfully quiet street. The backyard is well-taken care of and an oasis in the summer resort. We very much enjoyed our stay there and highly recommend it to anyone else.
Weâve been renting vacation homes for the past five years, and this home in Rockport, Massachusetts has truly been the best experience weâve ever had. From the moment we arrived, everything felt welcoming, comfortable, and thoughtfully prepared.The house had every convenience we could ask forâfrom mirrors in all the rooms to oversized towels and even beach towels. The kitchen was fully stocked and perfect for the breakfasts and dinners we cooked during our two-week stay. We especially appreciated the heavy-duty washer and dryerâsomething thatâs surprisingly rare in vacation rentals and made a huge difference for us.The living room had reliable internet and the TV allowed us to connect to our own streaming services, which was a great touch. My daughters were thrilled by the collection of books and games, and we all enjoyed the beach chairs and umbrella that made our trips to the shore so easy.Fran and Frank were exceptional hostsâalways kind, responsive, and generous with their suggestions for local events, restaurants, and must-see spots in the area. Their attention to detail and warm hospitality made our stay truly special.This home is a true gem on the New England coast, and we canât recommend it enough. Weâre already talking about when we can come back!
Loved staying here! When I arrived, I did think there were three rooms due to the pictures but then I rechecked the details and saw only two rooms. Still super nice. Fran was very nice and welcoming. She was easy to talk to and quick to respond! I would definitely stay here again! Thanks Fran!
Holbrook House was the perfect venue we were looking for while visiting my sister who lives in the nearby town of Manchester by the Sea. We were very comfortable during our week's stay and the house was fully stocked with whatever you would need for bed, bath and kitchen. Very clean and organized! Our hosts Frank and Fran were most accommodating and accessible at a moment's notice. Holbrook House was the perfect size for 2 people and close to all the shops and restaurants that Rockport has to offer. Gloucester is a few minutes drive away which also has a variety of restaurants that we most certainly visited! We have been coming to Cape Ann for over 30 years to visit my sister but have never rented a private house. We look forward to having the opportunity to visit Holbrook House again in the future. Thank you Fran and and Frank!
We had another great year at the Holbrook House! House was spotless when we arrived! Fran and Frank have great communication ahead of arrival. Our family of 4, loves the location-easy walk to beach, park, and Brothers Brew donuts in the morning. The outdoor shower and small grassy yard make this house so special-both hard to find in Rockport!
This was a lovely house - clean, well- stocked with charming decor. Nice quite street but close to the beach, shopping and dining spots as well as the Commuter Rail station. Fran and Frank were great hosts. We had a couple of questions before we arrived which they answered quickly. And they were very helpful when we arrived. We loved our time at Holbrook House.
The Kitchen is well furnished for at home cooking and meals. The house is located in a nice and quiet neighborhood. Fran and Frank are friendly and helpful and gave us good information about beach closures due to water conditions. The back yard is a great place to have dinnerâquiet and private.
The home is damp (we stayed two weeks through some rainy weather) and the bedroom with the twin beds had an unpleasant odor that appeared to be emanating from the air conditioner. Hopefully these issues can be corrected
This has been one of our favorite VRBO stays. The home was in a great location for downtown, Bearskin Neck, the beaches, and is very close to a beautiful park with pond, and playground, if you have young children. Fran and Frank were available and did communicate making us feel comfortable with their availability. The home was very clean and sweetly and comfortably decorated. We felt right at home!
Very comfortable two-bedroom house within walking distance to everything in downtown Rockport, including food, drinks, and Cumberland Farms. Perfect spot for a carefree time away. Very friendly and helpful owners to answer any needs or questions you have.
We are Massachusetts natives, who enjoy traveling abroad and all over New England, but are always called home to life on the seaside. After moving to Rockport several years ago we have enjoyed making a home for yourselves and family on the picturesque and peaceful Cape Ann.
Holbrook House is our little piece of paradise in Rockport. We have put much time and thought into restoring our charming cottage. And would love to have the opportunity to host you and happy to provide any recommendations or answer any questions you have to ensure a delightful and relaxing stay in our village.
Location, location, location! We fell in love with this property because of it's perfect location, you can truly walk to everything! The shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors, artist galleries, beach, train, performance center, park with playground and pond, less than a mile from Holbrook House!