See all properties
Entire home

Grand Oceanfront Home With Private Spa, Spacious Living Areas, Stunning Views

Photo gallery for Grand Oceanfront Home With Private Spa, Spacious Living Areas, Stunning Views

The Cay House ❤️❤️❤️
Welcome to The Cay House!
Jewel of the Bay, the perfect location.
View from the porch. Under the dock you snorkel with many kinds of fish.
Living Room / Swing Room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 11399.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Breakfast available
  • Parking available
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Utila, Bay Islands
  • Chepes Beach
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Bando Beach
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Laguna Beach
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Utila (UII)
    ‪1 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 11)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Bed

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Grand Oceanfront Home With Private Spa, Spacious Living Areas, Stunning Views

Watch the sun rise and frigates soar over the sea from your wrap-around porch, coffee in hand.

Snorkel with tropical fish off the island's most beautifully designed private dock, or practice morning yoga under pink and orange clouds.

In the lull of the afternoon, spend a blissful hour in the world's largest flotation tank, Float Utila, now exclusively for Cay House guests.

In the evening, make dinner in your spacious and bright kitchen with panoramic windows overlooking the sparkling sea. Enjoy a cocktail and watch the sun sink below the horizon from the porch hammocks, and fall asleep to the sound of lapping water in a king-sized bed suspended from the ceiling.

Easy walking distance to every dive shop, restaurant, and attraction in town, yet removed from the busy road, the Cay House is on its very own private island/cay connected to the world by a drawbridge. Artistically renovated from the ground up by Scandinavian carpenter John, the Cay House is perfectly located for the best sunrises, sunsets, and views of the mainland's stunning Pico Bonito Mountain Range.





Property manager

John and Amanda

Languages

English, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Breakfast available
Mountain view

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Beach

Huge Luxury Oceanfront with Pool - Best on Island!

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
10.0 out of 10, (31 reviews)
Huge Luxury Oceanfront with Pool - Best on Island!

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 3–17
Swimming skills and water safety a must with kids.
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
Pets not allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Non smoking only
Guests are responsible for electrical usage over 30 KWH/day.
Any plates, glasses, utensils, bbq tools, containers, towels, etc. must be returned to the house in the same condition as inventoried.
Refer to rental contract for common reason of deposit deductions.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Isla de Utila

Located in Isla de Utila, this holiday home is in the mountains and on the waterfront. While the natural beauty of Laguna Beach and Chepes Beach can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can head to Bando Beach. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Utila, Bay Islands

What's nearby

  • Chepes Beach - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Bando Beach - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Laguna Beach - 1 min drive - 0.0 km

Getting around

  • Utila (UII) - 1 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Neptunes At Coral Beach Village - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Munchies Cafe - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Che Pancho - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Utila Dream Ferry - ‬5 min walk
  • Cay View Restaurant

Frequently asked questions

Is Grand Oceanfront Home With Private Spa, Spacious Living Areas, Stunning Views pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Grand Oceanfront Home With Private Spa, Spacious Living Areas, Stunning Views?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Grand Oceanfront Home With Private Spa, Spacious Living Areas, Stunning Views?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Grand Oceanfront Home With Private Spa, Spacious Living Areas, Stunning Views located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Chepes Beach and Bando Beach. Laguna Beach and Iguana Research & Breeding Station are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 32 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway

The owner and manager were both super responsive and the property matched the description. The house is just a few blocks from the ferry so it’s in a great location. The tuk tuk taxis were about $5 for everywhere we went . We didn’t see a need to rent a golf cart since the house was so close to everything. Our fishing and snorkeling guides were able to pick us up at the house’s dock so that made it so easy. I highly recommend Mango Tango and Che Pancho for dinner. Coral Bay resort has outstanding snorkeling that’s only 3-4 minutes from the house . Check out Fly Fish Utila for an outstanding fishing trip for bonefish, tarpon and permit. We loved Utila and this house . The only small complaint i had was that the kitchen didn’t have AC. There wasn’t much of a breeze during our trip so the kitchen was hot. Other than that i give it 5 stars
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Emily K., Golden, Colorado

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing location and house

Beautiful location and house! Would definitely visit again! Great hosts!!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allison T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful 2 week stay in the beautiful Cayhouse!!

Everything about our stay was amazing!! The property, location, and communication with the host was top notch! Already planning my next visit!
Stayed 15 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mario M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great time at the Cay House

We had a great time on our visit. Half the group were divers but the other half enjoyed being in the heart of town. The house is very clean and well maintained. The balconies and dock provide amazing views of the bay. The seemingly secret entrance to the house gave us plenty of privacy to keep the front and back doors wide open all day (fantastic breeze btw). There were myriad books for adults and kids alike and even a little play kitchen for our 2 yr-old to use. The sensory deprivation tank was a nice treat / add-on. It's not something any of us would have tried otherwise. JJ, property manager, was very responsive leading up to our stay and during our stay. My two little nitpicky comments would be: 1. I think the bridge/dock leading to the house from main street could use some landscape lighting or at least some weak solar lamps illuminating the path at night - otherwise it's pitch black. 2. The 30 kWh allowance per day is certainly not enough for a full house (I have to believe the sensory deprivation tank power has to be a factor here). We (8 adults) were conscientious about our electrical usage and ended up about 10 kWh over per day. But at basically $0.50 per kWh, it's not a big deal. I would highly recommend staying at the Cay House when visiting Utila!
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rekha P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Feels like a cottage on the ocean!

After spending almost a week in Roatan (at a beautiful house with a pool but not much within walking distance), this was a welcome change of scenery, vibe, and cost! Everything is walking distance in Utila, you can get a great meal for under $10 and there is no shortage of things to do. Property mgmt was there to greet us when we arrived and were great at providing recommendations - even made us our dinner reso at Mango Tango, which is a must! By far the best meal of our entire vacation. The hanging bed and view from the primary bedroom is something else. We loved our stay at Cay House and would definitely go back.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Jonathan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cay house

The experience was great . No complaints. Location is perfect.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

andrew d c., Driggs

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

"Tanks" for the memories!

super cool to have your own private float tank! The most awesome view of the bay and the dock was priceless!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

David J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Location is central, neat interesting house. AC works well in the bedrooms. Very thoughtfully laid out with nice details for us like having pitchers of filtered water in each bathroom. Nice big porch out back overlooking its own private dock. Great spot to sip coffee in the morning and watch the boats go by.. the kitchen has good cookware and utensils. Bed in master hangs from the ceiling on ropes and the swing in the living room was fun. Only drawback is the dive hotel bar two doors down over the water plays VERY loud music most nights well after 2:00 am. If you don’t need much sleep, everything else is really great.
Stayed 8 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jim W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Location

The only issue was the fact that there was no working oven or microwave. We had planned on eating in for several meals which was hard to do with only a stove top . The rest of the stay was great
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Missy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect!!!

We loved every second and we didn’t want to leave!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Hannah C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise!

JJ and Tina are the most helpful people on the island and the house was everything we expected and more! We will be back for sure!!! Perfect vacation!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Milton G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy and beautiful home

It was everything I expected and saw on the website!! Excellent property manager always answer my requests

10/10 Excellent

Sean D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Will be back

Place was in the perfect location. Loved our stay and already planning our return trip. Hosts were top notch and friendly. Highly recommended
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth S.

Beautiful home on fun island.

Gorgeous home! Open, light, and airy. Very clean. Property manager met us at the ferry. Only minor complaint was that some of the towels pilled and when you dried with them, they left little towel pills all over you. Also AC didn’t work in one room but it turned out to be due to a tripped fuse. Light didn’t work in one room. Other than that, wonderful stay! I would definitely rent again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Malcolm M.

Love this place!!!

Great owners, wonderful managers. So easy, so fun!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Vincent H.

Beautiful house, in a great location if you want to stay in the town. Everything is almost walkable

Great home, right on the ocean. Has an isolation tank which was a really nice touch. Power went out one night, so we wish they had a backup generator. Probably the nicest house in the town. Property manager was excellent & attended to all needs.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Julia t.

Dream boat house on the water!

Our group of 6 friends LOVED the Cay House! Jumping off the private deck into the water after yoga in the great room was pure heaven. The rooms are spacious and well-furnished. Lots of books and games if you need. We loved swinging in the hammocks and watching the dive boats go by. We dived with Captain Morgans dive shop next door and they took good care of us. Recommended. Mango Tangos had the best food other than Neptunes Island. We will return!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2018
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca S.

Property was even prettier in person!! Very clean, comfortable and accommodating for a large group!

Property owners and mangers were wonderful to book with, answered all my questions about the home and island and helped us make contact with the services and people we wanted to meet on the island on arrival! The island is gorgeous, very nice people and we experienced the best diving and snorkeling ever!! I would highly recommend paradise divers for all your dive and snorkeling needs! Joshua and his team take good care of you and their prices are fantastic! We had all of our own dive and snorkel gear! I would skip renting a golf cart, save your money as you can walk or take a Tuk, Tuk anywhere and it’s so much more fun!! The house had all of the amenities that our group of 8 needed! We had a fun time snorkeling right off the dock!! Cheapest drinks were at Utila Lodge, just up from the house and their lunch specials were so good too! You must also go to Neptune beach!! Loved it all and can’t wait to visit again!!
Stayed 14 nights in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

Carri G.

Amazing home in a fantastic location

This is the best home on the island. It is right in the middle of everything Utila has to offer. We came to Utila with our 3 adult children and 80 year-old mother for the Christmas/New Years holiday and it was absolutely perfect. The room on the main level was ideal for my mother, while giving our 3 children their own rooms upstairs. My husband and I took the master suite upstairs with the hanging bed, and let me tell you, it was amazing. The float tank was icing on the cake. We each used it several times and loved it. Not only was the house clean and comfortable with stunning views, it truly is the best home on the island. Utila is a hidden gem. People are so friendly, honest and very helpful. The golf cart that we rented was perfect to get around to the other side of the island. Tina and JJ, the property managers, were always available if we needed them, and gave us great recommendations for restaurants, grocery shopping, and just about everything you can think of. They even had our golf cart ready at the house for us upon arrival. The booking process was simple and Amanda (the home owner) was always quick to answer our questions during the booking process. This truly was an amazing home and we will most definitely return. Thank you so much for the memories!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Danielle G.

Everything we expected and more!

I came with a group of 6 and we had a fabulous time at the Cay House. All communications before and during our stay were timely and super helpful. JJ even helped us get back to Roatan kind of last minute since the Ferry wasn't running the day of our departure. We enjoyed a lot of hammock time on the deck as well as the float tank. We definitely weren't ready to leave and look forward to coming back!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wendy B.

Outstanding property for our needs

Great location. We were able to walk next door to Captain Morgans dive shop each morning as well as easily get wherever we wanted to go. Note, Captain Morgans had a great breakfast. The house is very comfortable and spacious. We thoroughly enjoyed evenings on the back deck with a glass of wine and the cross breeze. Spectacular view of the ocean. Tina and JJ were fantastic. From providing information and connections before we arrived to meeting us at the airport to helping us navigate a last minute change in getting off the island, they made themselves available for whatever we needed. Thank you for sharing your house with us.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jan S.

Perfect Holiday

We rented this amazing house with 5 friends to celebrate a milestone birthday. The location is PERFECT, you can walk to everything. Some nights the dive shops next door can get a little loud with their parties but nothing we couldn't live with. Swimming off the dock, having coffee on the porch while watching the sun come up. The kitchen was wonderful and you can find most items you'll need at the local grocery stores. 5 beautiful bedrooms. I must admit the hanging bed in the master bedroom was hard to adjust to (I was sick upon arrival) but by the end I really enjoyed it. When we return, This is where we will rent this again, can't imagine staying anywhere else. It was the most relaxing week I've had in a very long time. Highly recommend!!!
Stayed 8 nights in Mar 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Leah R.

Grand home with incredible views

8 of us stayed the last week at the Yellow Cay house. Beautiful home with amazing water views from every room. Lovely breezes that flow throughout the home. We spent most of our time on the porch and decks. Loved the flotation room and rain shower downstairs. This home is close to everything but just far enough over the water to not hear much traffic off the main road. We rented golf carts and toured the whole island. We were able to park them right on the back deck of the home. The only thing I wished was there were a couple of throw blankets for the beds. We would definitely return again. JJ and Tina were most helpful as well our entire stay. So fun to see another Okie couple in paradise.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Laura M.

Beautiful big house with a very nice deck to sit on when it is too rainy to play.

Amanda, the owner, got right back to us about any questions we had. We were met at the airport by the property managers, JJ and Tina. They were great about saying that we could contact them night or day if we needed them. We had no issues just a wonderful time.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Micky M.

Best Vacation EVER!

We spent a week here with another family and enjoyed all the house has to offer. It's gorgeous and well appointed, and works great for two families. The location cannot be beat, very central to everything but feels secluded. Swimming off the dock is a dream, and reading in the hammocks made every afternoon feel like a real vacation. Highly recommended.

About the host

Hosted by John and Amanda

Host profile image
John Arne first came to Utila in 1997, just a few weeks into a planned backpacking trip from Guatemala to Panama. He instantly fell in love, stayed three months, and never made it further south. In 2001, John Arne was no longer able to resist Utila's siren song and bid Norway farewell.

In 2006, a vacationing public radio producer from the USA named Amanda stopped to snap pictures on the drawbridge of a beautiful yellow house and met a handsome Viking on his way out to buy paint thinner. A few months later she would sell all her belongings, quit her job, and move to a tiny Caribbean island with nine boxes of books, a suitcase of clothes, and her faithful dog, Ella.

Paint thinner remains highly romantic to them.

Since then they have raised a family, finished reviving the lovely yellow house, built the world's largest sensory deprivation room (Float Utila) and rented out a magical, hand-crafted treehouse. Now John Arne and family are leaving the island for one year and have decided to rent out their beloved jewel of the bay to other sunset aficionados.

We hope you love it as much as we do.

Why they chose this property

Upon his move to Utila in 2001, John Arne discovered that the island's most lovely home, the Cay House, was for sale. A carpenter by trade, he knew he was just the artisan to help the grand dame of the bay realize her full potential. Featured in tourism brochures, postcards, and Utila calendars, the Cay House has been a celebrated landmark on the island and is now, for the first time, available as a vacation rental.

What makes this property unique

Until recently, Float Utila has been a top attraction for tourists on the island. Now it is an exclusive amenity for Cay House guests, an indescribable experience of relaxation, peace, and healing.

The house is completely surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, connected to the rest of Utila by a drawbridge. The best location on Utila for privacy yet walkability.

We also have a swing inside the house! A swing! INSIDE! Because one of John Arne's favorite things to say is, "It's never too late to live a happy childhood."

The master bedroom features a king-size hanging bed. John Arne is a skydiver and prefers to be off the ground as much as possible.

Languages:

English, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish