This is not a five-star location. I was asked by the owner to provide a five-star review. I was encouraged to speak with the owner if I was going to leave anything less than a five-star review. I did not speak with the owner. There is very little the owner could have changed during our two-day stay that would change the experience to a five-star experience. I think you will agree with me. This review is my sincere attempt to provide a realistic assessment of the property so a future visitor will have an experience that meets there expectations.
First and foremost the property is spotless! The hundred-dollar (or so) cleaning fee is well spent.
Second, the location is safe and secure.
Location: The location described as 'seaside' studio is 2.2 miles from the beach. It is a long walk on busy streets down a long grade (took an Uber home after the beach). The ADU (accessory dwelling unit) is in back of a residence. In order to have privacy from the main residence all the shades on the entry side of the small studio must be closed. The result is claustrophobic. The rear window can remain un-shaded (will not compromise privacy) It overlooks a pleasant schoolyard. This window is partially obscured by a plastic covering of a chain link fence. Not a five-star 'seaside' location experience.
The bed is described as a high quality foam style mattress. It is new and on the soft side. The bed sheets are poly-blend white and thin-lightweight. The comforter is navy blue polyester. The pillows are rubber-foam type. My expectations of a five-star experience would equal or exceed the bedding and comfort that a traveler would expect from a Holiday Inn (excellent pillows at the Holiday Inn ). I have enjoyed many five-star airbnb experiences where the highest quality linens (Peacock?) enhanced the guest experience. The bedding at the 'seaside cottage' did not meet this standard.
Snacks: The host left out a bottle of white Charles Shaw and two glasses - I would say warm white two buck chucks and five-star experience should not be used in the same sentence. There were snacks and water bottles - these were very welcome treats to the traveler. Finally there was a box of candy with an odd sign - something to the effect of "please enjoy what you like during your stay and leave what you don't want for the next guest" ??? In this box were starbursts and other individually wrapped non-chocolate drugstore candies. This alone precludes a five-star experience. Level set - a five-star candy experience might be a a pair of exclusive chocolates in a gold box with a ribbon.
Shower and bathroom: The small studio has a very small bathroom and a unique shower placed on a partially truncated 2-foot by 2-foot footprint. If you are over 5'5 and 110 lbs it will be impossible to move in this space enough to soap and wash. The shower unit can be purchased at Lowes for $900 and provides a similar experience to that of showering in an RV. The water pressure was fine and the water temperature was fine. On the shower rack was some Suave bath gel product. Again - using the minimum standard of the Holiday Inn, a five-star experience might include individually packaged organic soaps and shampoos, or using the five-star spa model - dispensers that are filled with exclusive bathing products.
Final notes - the overhead canned lights (5-6) in the small unit provide a lot of harsh light, perhaps a bit too much. There is no cozy chair in the unit. The table is fold down and perhaps there was a fold down chair tucked away somewhere. The furnishings are new IKEA. There is an efficiency kitchen - rather genius how much is crammed into the small space! On the kitchen wall is a Hi-Def TV that is easily visible from the bed.
If this unit were properly marketed and properly priced (all-in the price point was in excess of the all-in price point of the local beach-side Best Western), perhaps the experience of this traveler would have been consistent with a higher rating. I was mislead by the other five-star ratings, and it is my wish that this review helps a future traveler enjoy this location for the good attributes offered - cleanliness and safety.