The Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast in Charlestown is absolutely one of my new favorite places in the world.
In looking for a quick little getaway, I started thinking that it would be fun to find a houseboat or a “yacht” to spend the night on. Once I started to think in that direction, I quickly realized that the boats I was finding were either a) super expensive or b) kind of run down or c) far away.
I was beginning to get a little bit discouraged, but then…just when I was about to give up and go a different route…I found the Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast in Charlestown. It was perfect on every note. Super cute, check. The right price, check. Close enough to home to allow for a quick getaway, check. Something a little bit different, check. Easy, check. Done.
The owners of the Green Turtle, Karen and John, actually own two yachts and the floating house (which is home to two nearly identical and separate units). While I had originally been looking for an actual boat….and while their boats looked really, really lovely…I was immediately smitten with adorable yellow home on the water.
Booking was a breeze. I emailed for availability and Karen got back to the me the very next morning. We cemented a date, I planned our getaway, I called on our way in, and John was in the parking lot of the marina ready to greet us the second we arrived. He made us feel incredibly welcome from the get go. He helped us put our things in a dock wagon, gave us our bearings, talked to us about various modes of transportation for getting into the city, and escorted us to our little floating home. Once inside, he gave us the skinny on the whats and hows of our accommodations, talked to us about nearby lunch options, showed us our generously stocked (and free) fridge, snacks, coffee, and even homemade granola, and shared a big file of brochures about the area. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any nicer, the lovely and equally as gracious Karen arrived. Karen welcomed us, asked us about any food allergies, and asked what time we’d like breakfast delivered to our door. How did a mushroom, onion, and cheese frittata with fresh fruit, cornbread, and chorizo sound? Ummm….yes, please.
They excused themselves and allowed us to settle in. For the rest of our stay Karen and John were available when we needed them, but politely tucked away elsewhere when we didn’t. They live aboard another boat in the marina and were busy with the hustle and bustle that is involved in maintaining a variety of vessels and accommodations….and yet were always up for a chat when we happened to engage them along the way. John happily shared his fishing rod with my husband and, upon hearing that we had reservations at the Chart House on Long Wharf, gave me a card for the Water Taxi to pick us up at our front door (well, deck chair) and deliver us almost directly to the restaurant. It couldn’t have been more convenient or perfect…and the nice little boat ride across the harbor on a beautiful evening was an added bonus!
The photos speak for themselves. Our room was perfectly quaint and comfortable. Fully equipped with AC, television, seating area, really comfortable bed, microwave, and refrigerator (full of water, juices, yogurt, milk, cream, and some simple snacks). While it was the perfect combination of well-equipped and cozy….my favorite place was, without a doubt, the dock. With 4 deck chairs and some side tables…and some pretty planters with flowers….I could have sat there forever. In the evening we had cocktails on the dock, read a little, and watched a large variety of boat traffic come and go in the harbor. In the morning, we drank coffee, ate our phenomenally delicious breakfast….and then read a little more.
My only regret is that our stay was too short. I will absolutely be returning for a longer stay soon. The question is, stay onboard one of their yachts next time….or return to the floating home that we loved so much?
Check out all of their options, information, and more at the link below.
The Green Turtle Floating Bed and Breakfast
Good Morning Gloucester 