I stayed with Jane for just over two weeks in July 2015 to conduct some archival research at the British Library and Wellcome Collection off the Euston Square stop in London.

Without being obtrusive, Jane made herself available for every question and topic I posed. Before, during, and even after my trip she was wonderfully communicative about everything from my local transit options on the Underground to the best place to enjoy the British staple fish and chips. She helped me set up a local UK phone number to use while I was there, introduced me to some of her friends in the city, recommended an array of tourist destinations (the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Watford is an absolute must) and even went so far as to help me with my laundry.

The room I stayed in was clean, well-furnished, and she even had a standing fan for me to use on the occasionally warm night. Her home is on the east end of the city, but extremely close (as her listing states, about a five minute walk) to the Central line tube station, so navigating the city was easy, but her advice and tips for traveling cheaply and efficiently were enormously helpful. Moreover, there is a local complex of shops (grocery, fast food, cafe, electronics, clothing, gym) that made her neighborhood, Leyton, very convenient for errands and everyday necessities. The High road, as its called, is also just a few minutes away which that has several more stores and restaurants.

True to the essence of a B&B, Jane also provided breakfast (cereal, croissants, bagels, toast, fruit, yogurt, ham, cheese, coffee, tea, juice, milk) items for the length of my stay, which made getting started each day far easier for me. As for the other amenities, the WiFi was great, the bathroom was always clean and easy to use, and a set of keys to the home were given to me to make coming and going at various hours effortless.

While I stayed with her, she had another Airbnb guest and both made me feel very welcome and appreciated. She is a loving mother to three adorable cats (though my room was kept cat-free), and by the end of my stay I felt very comfortable in her home and the city more generally.

I would not hesitate to recommend Jane's rooms to anyone traveling to the UK. I expect to return within the next six months and my first contact will be her. I think her home would be an excellent fit for a traveler seeking a safe, quiet, clean, and comfortable space for their stay.