For us it was a toss-up between staying at a hotel in downtown Wellington or staying at Silke's place. We were so glad we chose Silke! For one thing, downtown Wellington is congested and apart from the waterfront, not very interesting architecturally. Silke's place has the most incredible views over the ocean and is close to a wonderful beach on Lyall Bay where you can stroll and watch dolphins play with the surfers. Beyond that, Silke is an amazing host who is generous with her space including a well-equipped kitchen where there are dedicated shelves for the guests. She provides a wonderful guidebook with her personal insights into things to see and do in the area. The place is in a great location for both getting downtown ( about 15-20 minutes by car) and exploring many beautiful spots on the coast near Wellington like the nearby coastal marine park.