We should have read EVERY single review before booking, so that’s on us.
We were celebrating our child’s 10th birthday and the location
was perfect. However upon arriving we were taken back by the nuisances of the that… the house is located on a VERY busy street (I mean busy from 7am-7pm everyday) with cars traveling at speeds upwards of 40 miles an hour.
Parking…
There is street parking but it’s important to know that there is no sidewalk. So you have to pull parallel to the driveway to exit the vehicle and then the driver can pull back unless you block the driveway. However if you have more than one vehicle that would be the case. Secondly, the driveway is extremely steep, like 45 degrees steep! No joke. Don’t expect you car doors to stay open easily when exiting while parked in the driveway. So, if you are older and or traveling with elderly folks or children take caution. I grew up in SF and it felt like parking on some of our steepest streets. 2 vehicles cannot park side by side easily. It might have been a little easier if the hedges we trimmed all the way back on the left side. But very difficult regardless because of the incline in addition to the busy street traffic. Every time we backed out of the driveway one person had to stand in the street to make sure no cars were approaching in order to back out safely and then jump into the passenger side. There are no mirrors to see traffic.
Entryway…
After the initial trauma of parking and I say this with kindness only because I feel that when you have that smooth easy transition when arriving its the key to a great start of your vacation. Again, it’s important to know that not only is the driveway steep but the entry is steps are like a slate or stone material and are at an angle off the driveway, plus there are no handrails. So, again depending on the persons in your party it can pose a variety of issues… like being extra cautious if you are elderly and when carrying heavy luggage or strollers etc.. Now, that all being said one of us… and honestly thank goodness it was probably the fittest person in our party slipped on those steps when leaving one night for dinner causing a fairly bad bruise. This was because of two issues the angle of the stairs being that the upper treads are not straight so you have to mind that carefully which is fine, but the exterior lights at night are not placed where they can illuminate the stairs properly. In fact the lights cast a shadow making the stair pitch black at night.
*another side note, the exterior light were not working at all our first night until we searched and found the timer for them. It was not set to the correct daylight/nighttime.
Living/Common Areas…
Guest should note that there are no window coverings for the large floor to ceiling patio door which faces the pool and neighbor and the sliding door to the patio. The bamboo between the property provides little privacy but was so dead that we could easily see the neighbors.
A couple of our kids who slept in the living room were startled by the pool guy just after 7am. *note… it is stated in the handbook of the pool service and times. Though he was very quiet there are absolutely no curtains. Not ideal for anyone and as a protective parent not cool and a bit creepy.
Steps!… again
The steps leading up to the 2 back bedrooms are not marked well nor are they lit at night and posed a trip hazard for us (also noted in another review). They are directly outside of the largest bedroom. We tripped several times, once falling. So we ended up placing a stool at the bottom of the steps to remind us.
There are also another set of steps at the living room which are also not marked or lit at night. However these aren’t as much a hazard as the furniture and open space makes you aware of them.
There are also steps outside that are not marked either but they were as much a concern.
Bedrooms… back two
The two bedrooms on the backside have sheer curtains. If you have any expectations of blackout shades for sleeping in or have a toddler that needs naps you will be disappointed.
The problem with left bedroom having sheer curtains are that the neighbors can look directly into that room and so at night when you are undressing and or doing anything “else” in privacy you must turn the lights completely off or be easily seen. Creepy.
The right side bedroom which faces the patio with the sitting area is not as exposed. However on Tuesday morning at 7:50am we were waken by a gas powered leaf blower from the gardener. The handbook states that they come at 8:30am. Not during our stay.
No outlets on the left side of the bed. So the plug for the bedside lamp was strung across the nightstand to the adjacent wall which was ridiculous.
Front bedroom…
Well lit and spacious. The skylights provided great natural light throughout the day but were filthy so the person sleeping in that bed looked directly up at this. That side of the room had 2 beds. The other side had the larger bed which backs up to the window which hears the street traffic which started around 7am. Though at night the noise wasn’t a problem. This bedroom also leads to the garage.
Pool and patio sitting area…
The sitting area was pleased to sit out at during the day.
We were really hoping to have the pool heated, but the rules state reasons why it they will not heat it. We own a pool in a much colder climate and $100 per day