There are positives and negatives to this listing. Unfortunately for my one-night stay, the negatives outweighed the positives.
Due to an airline mix up, I needed to find a rental for one night before flying out the next day. There were a few options considering that many Nelson rentals will require a two-night minimum. Communication with Paula and Jason was good. They were very responsive and Jason let me know the minute the listing was ready the day of my arrival so that I could check in early.
Arriving at the property took me aback. It is mentioned that the driveway is a bit of a construction nightmare but then so was Dresden after the bombing. I would not recommend this listing to anyone with mobility issues. Earlier rains made the gravel driveway a challenge for my roller suitcase, my slick soled shoes and my duffel. The walkway up to the family's home perched above the cabin would not be considered safe.
Even though the cabin was unlocked and the keys were inside, I always like to meet my host. Paula greeted me with the warmth of a cadaver. I smiled, introduced myself and extended my hand. The response I received was completely at odds with the reviews that I had read. That was my only contact with the hosts.
When you are married to an architect, you adopt their perspective on building and construction projects. Such is my case and I probably have a different view on dwellings than others. Beyond the driveway and the path up to the main residence, I am perplexed as to how building codes operate in New Zealand. There are steps from the sidewalk onto the property but again a person will mobility issues would not be able to navigate them. They are steep and narrow. The same could be said for the stairs leading into the cabin. That had been called out by the owners. What had not been called out is that the railing that runs along the front of the cabin is incomplete. There is the potential for a three (3) foot plus drop off the deck of the cabin because a cross bar is missing.
The street noise is constant. This is not a well traveled neighborhood street. This is an expressway from one area of Nelson (Toi Toi) to other areas of Nelson. Cars, trucks, motorcycles and late night noisy teens with great car speakers are not a light sleeper's friend here.
Inside the cabin is tidy. There is a regular sized refrigerator which I thought I was great. I appreciated the towel warmer. The bathroom is small though the shower is quite sizable. The bathroom sink is minuscule and counter space is non-existent. A pet peeve of mine but I do not want to see the toilet cleaning supplies.
The wi-fi was solid and the password secure. I would recommend changing it periodically because I was monitoring intrusions as I was logged on. I do not know if the family share this connection but if not, I would change the password between guests.
The bed was comfortable, the linens were fresh and clean. I only turned on the television to drown out street noise and comings and goings on the driveway.
Laundry is not onsite. It is across the street - at least according to a note in the house binder. Considering the busy street and the somewhat industrial look of the neighborhood, I would not consider venturing out to perform laundry tasks.
A twenty minute walk and I found a grocery store and a take out restaurant. And while I did witness people riding bikes and pushing strollers, this is a very busy street on the weekends.
The morning of my departure I was startled when I man came knocking on the door of the cabin. He was looking to complete a "Trade Me" transaction - think Craigslist - and came to my door despite my having closed the tenuously attached gate. This I really did not like. The gate needs a lock and possibly a sign indicating to wayward shoppers that they should approach the main house.
All the pieces were here to create a great short term stay. But the landscape, the noise, the welcome and the safety factors left me questioning the execution and the reviews of previous travelers.