Can I just say how gracious of a host Jimmy is?! The attention to details I didn’t even realize was excellent and the resolution to an issue I wasn’t aware of at the start of my stay, was impeccable.
The location of the home is centrally located in the center of all of the attractions. I came into San Diego to attend my nephew’s basic training graduation from the Marine Corp Recruit Depot (which is literally 8 min from this home).
My mom and I arrived to find the cottage just as adorable as the pics indicated. It is a two bd, two bath main house, with a two-story guest house just behind it. Plenty of parking right beside it in a marked drive way with the ability to fit 5 mid-size vehicles. There is a small sitting garden behind the home with accessible laundry facilities onsite.
Once inside, you’ll find a split sectional that is big and fluffy, though a bit too low to the ground for two pole with bad knees and one with arthritis, but enough space for 10 full adults to sit comfortably (in my opinion).
Next, you’ll see a classic circular, wooden dining room table with seats for 7 persons. To the left of the table is the kitchen. Small but functional, complete with stove top, gas burners, a wall oven, small appliances such as a toaster oven and carafe coffee maker and of course a full size, French door fridge. All cookware, utensils, cutlery, dinnerware and basic seasonings are included. Off of the kitchen, you step down into a back sunroom with two doors: one leads to the driveway to your left and the other leads to the garden patio.
Back inside, you’ll find the two bedrooms on opposite end of a hallway off of the dining area. You’ll walk right into the guest bathroom in the hall, with the guest bedroom to the right and the master bedroom to the left. In the guest bedroom, there is a full size bed and headboard and footboard, a nightstand with lamp, luggage rack at the foot of the bed, and closet with a sliding door. The room comes with a window unit, small portable heater and a two-inch foam mattress topper.
Moving to the hall bathroom for the guest, you have a standard tub/shower combo that has shower gel, shampoo and conditioner wall mounted, standing sink with under mount cabinet and a medicine cabinet with mirror on the wall. The light switch for the bathroom is under the medicine cabinet and the fans for the bathroom are next to the door. A bit odd and it takes a few times to remember that fact. Nice bonus is a window above the shower to allow steam to escape. A small trash can with pedal top and towel bar completes this area.
Traveling down the hall, you’ll come across closets that contain a foldable crib, extra blankets and pillows and various other items for use.
Lastly, you come to the master bedroom. It holds a king size bed, headboard and footboard, 42” TV, full dresser and nightstand along with a full bathroom. Inside the bathroom is a standing, walk-in shower, counter vanity and plenty of space to get ready in.
All in all, the place is as advertised.
Pros: communication with the host
Description matches reality
Location to MCRD and other sites, as well as the airport and rental car cafe
Privacy from other units on property
Heating and cooling options
Checkin and checkout instructions
Guest bathroom hot water in shower
Cons: - Not ADA compliant
-Steps from driveway to house too high and no railing to provide assistance
-step at front door too high
-step from kitchen to sunroom too deep
-Couch sits on low base
-no hand rail in showers (both)
These noted below aren’t bad, just wish list
(read: personal preference)
Light switches, all over the house, in inconvenient locations
Hot water takes over 30 seconds to warm up in any faucet
TV allows for streaming apps but not local TV for news/weather
Guest bed mattress too soft and compressed, so topper just makes sleep more difficult
No central heat/air so wall heaters warm up hallway and dining room but aren’t as effective in bedrooms or living room/kitchen
Roku remote battery cover didn’t stay on (annoying) & couldn’t turn on the living room TV unless you walked up to the TV and pushed the power button manually.
Again, overall I enjoyed my stay and will recommend this place to anyone coming to San Diego. There are a few things that could have made my trip better, but ultimately it didn’t ruin the experience or the reason I was there, so I’m satisfied.