The home is gorgeous. It’s essentially what many people dream about for a home in California. It’s clear that Sheena takes great pride in her home. There are sensational views. The home is beautifully designed and comfortable. Light floods the main floor from all directions. There is a peaceful balcony. And I recommend that all guests take a moment or two at night with a glass of wine to enjoy its idyllic view.
We chose the place for its perfect location (about 4 miles away from family) and it was perfectly situated for that. Because of a last-minute adjustment on our part, we only used the master bedroom. The bed was very comfortable. The kitchen is very well equipped. I would not describe the area around the home as "pedestrian friendly." So if you are hoping to stroll around the neighborhood, be aware that the roads are very narrow with no real sidewalks. Several times we saw dog walkers struggle to navigate the traffic.
Like most Airbnb places, this home is first and foremost a home – not a rental property. But, it’s clear that this is Sheena’s home. For us, that was a mixed bag. As I said, the home is beautiful. There is beautiful art, family photos and a real sense of “hominess” to it. The modern features one would expect – internet, streaming services, easy and comfortable climate control were all top notch. There was easy access to the house with an electronic lock that made contactless check-in simple. And an automatic garage door opener Sheena provided made it very easy for us to get in at night when it was dark. There was also a bottle of wine waiting for us when we arrived. All good.
But, with that, there are a few restrictions and warnings that make it a bit less “user-friendly” to guests. For example, there is a “no shoes” policy in the home. I understand that. But many people don’t want to wear another person’s slippers (which Sheena provides). And the hardwood floors make navigating stairs in socks a tad precarious. Small signs throughout the house ask Airbnb guests “do not use” for various items. I get it. Nobody wants their nice things lost or damaged. We were also asked not to touch any of the food in the freezer. Fair enough. But the freezer was so jam-packed that we struggled to fit a carton of ice cream that we purchased. It would have been nice to have a fresh unopened soap and shampoo in the bathroom rather than the jumble of half-used containers and somebody else’s loofah. None of these individually were a deal breaker for us. But cumulatively, they added to a sense that we were guests at a friend’s or relatives. And while we may have been guests, we were also renters paying over $500 per night when all fees were included.
Sheena was very upfront about many of her policies (no parties, the expectations for keeping it clean, etc.) Our past Airbnb experiences were similar so there were no issues there. Sheena was always easy to contact and responded quickly. For example, when I contacted her with a question about coffee, she was very quick to respond and anxious to see if I had found it.
Overall this was a well above average Airbnb. Our stay was pleasant with minor issues that wouldn’t prevent me from recommending it to adults who seek a warm home. I do not think this is a place for families with small kids or teens who require constant attention.