HOST FAMILY IS EXCEPTIONAL!! The dad is always around and willing to assist with any and every need from parking to cleaning, or just a friendly smile to start or end your day. He’ll greet you and ensure you are always comfortable. The mom is quiet but will often leave fruit which is nice to find. The daughter is responsive, polite, and the interface for all concerns.
PARKING is a breeze compared to the rest of the city but if you find it difficult, the family will always offer suggestions. Even with a house full of guests with individual rental cars, there was never an issue because the home offers parking options, parallel parking that is.
KITCHEN items are available as well as some spices. If you cant find what you need, message Sally and she’ll help you. The host family lives on the property so they have everything you could possibly need. There was also a filtered water pitcher so guests can have filtered water if they want.
SHARED SPACE can be tricky. My experience with this home was the owners have established rules that make everyone comfortable. All the doors have locks and individual cabinets and refrigerator shelves so you can keep your stuff separate. I always kept my personal belongings locked in my room while I was gone and never had any reason to worry. The couch is comfortable to read a book or magazine, there’s a lantern light that offers dim lighting for evening relaxation, a piano, and an outdoor table and chairs for enjoying the evening breeze. There’s also a printer available - ask if you need assistance. There is a TV in the living room but channels are limited. The
BATHROOM is shared but has a lock - hot water, detachable shower head, water pressure ok, drains slow. Toiletries are provided. Cleaning supplies available if needed. There are other bathrooms for guest upstairs and downstairs depending on which room you reserve. A bath towel and hand towel were provided.
The BEDROOM has what you need: a bed, pillows, linen, a closet with plenty of hangars, full size dresser w/mirror, a desk, chair, and lamp. It’s great for business guests who need a workspace! The bed is not comfortable but it’s a place to rest your head at night. There is no TV in the bedroom.
GENERAL - There’s a heater if you get cold and the windows open if you get hot. The home has WiFi and I never had an issue. I worked from the property, downloaded movies, and watched TV through network apps. There is no air conditioner but the home cools quite a bit with the windows open. The home entryway has a metal gate and if other guests slam the gate, you’ll definitely hear it. The neighborhood can be a little loud from the cars to people walking, especially if the bedroom window is open. There is also laundry available if you need. I think I’ve covered everything.
What I wish I knew before arriving: I wish I knew the schedule of other room bookings. I never knew from one day to the next if someone was going to show up. It might be helpful to notify guests using shared spaces when other may arrive or if there will be a late arrival, not their names just “a guest will be arriving in Rm x tomorrow”. I arrived after midnight because my flight was delayed and I know the guest at that time was very surprised and unsure as I was trying to enter the property at the same time he was having food delivered.
Least impressed: The bed was really uncomfortable. You can feel the springs. It might be helpful to purchase a mattress pad for added comfort.
Most impressed: I cannot express enough how accommodating the host family was. My visit was 2.5 weeks and I never wanted for anything. Everything I needed was either available or made available as soon as I asked...the wine opener, the printer, parking spots, amazon delivery, twine to fix my luggage handle, help opening a window, trash days, recycling bin..