This trip was, by far, the most comfortable, enjoyable, and welcoming experience I’ve had with Airbnb. I came to Amsterdam last minute and Ellen was beyond accommodating! With the time difference I basically emailed her at midnight, told her I’m landing at 8:00am and will be arriving to their place by 9:30. I was nervous she might not receive the booking alert or email by the time I got there, but she was very alert and responsive! She even let me drop my bag off early that day so I could go explore the city. Cesar and Ellen welcomed me with enthusiasm and big warm smiles. It felt wonderful to have such a kind welcome after having traveled all night.
After dropping my bag they helped me get acquainted with my surroundings and asked a little about what I wanted to do/see during my stay. They had great recommendations and a very helpful book full of information on local attractions and restaurant menus. They got me squared away with the Dana lock (very convenient) and gave me a tour of my room, living space, and kitchen. All the areas of their home are very stylish and wonderfully decorated. More importantly, I felt comfortable like I was staying at a friends house. Ellen made sure I had everything I needed before heading out for the day. That evening they treated me to a drink at the little pub across the street. I was happy I got to spend some time with them, they were genuinely interested in getting to know me, I really appreciated feeling valued by them.
The rest of my experience was just as wonderful as the first day. Ellen and Cesar have found the perfect balance of privacy and availability in their home. Whenever I had a question, they were reachable and happy to help. They also respected my space when I needed to be alone and recharge my batteries a bit. They suggest unique places for me to visit and even offered to help me get tickets to the Anne Frank house (which usually sell out weeks in advance). Additionally, I unexpectedly had a friend visit me my last night in Amsterdam. I talked to Ellen and she was (again) very accommodating and flexible!
Overall my experience with Ellen and The African Lily was superb! She went above and beyond to ensure I was well taken care of. My room was very comfortable, I especially enjoyed having my own sink and shower attached (which had great water pressure!). I had abundant space for myself and my luggage and even when my friend visited we had plenty of space for her. Everything was very clean and the South African decor was the icing on the cake, I enjoyed it very much!
10/10 I would return and stay at the Bed &Beads! Thank you Ellen and Cesar!