-Accuracy/Cleanliness: A cozy cottage indeed! This place was created and decorated thoughtfully. It emulates the lush greenery of San Diego and soothing sereneness of the nearby beaches. In fact, the space itself seems so much more spacious than you'd expect, as Bill has smartly made use of the open layout. Though it is nice to have everything in view; everything can also be physically divided into/feel like separate areas. The immaculate conditions portrayed in the listing's pictures are accurate of what you arrive to and every item is in a pristine, working condition. Bill takes extreme care and caution in sanitizing *everything* for his guests, including replacing heavily used items such as sheets, mattress, pillows, etc. often and appropriately. It is obvious he isn't trying to book another person in right away and takes the time to properly "air" everything out in between guests. That kind of attention is essential during a pandemic.
-Communication/Arrival: Bill has got his hosting routine down pat! A few days before arrival he sent an additional warm welcome message, making sure the Directions are clear and of your ETA so that he can properly greet you (or at least ensure that you'll have everything you need). He was always responding within minutes and was even kind enough to move his vehicle so that I would be able to park safely, as I had a very late flight in. Despite my lateness, he still took the time to greet me and provide instructions and helpful suggestions. This set my stay off on an incredibly positive note: every interaction I had with him afterwards left me feeling pleasant, taken care of, and well-informed. There is a helpful, personal guidebook of the area and guest instruction sheet provided as well.
-Location: I could not have picked a better area to stay in! It is "central" enough to where everything is no more than a 10-15 minute drive in either direction....but away from any heavily trafficked or tourist-y areas where the crowds could become a problem. There is plenty to walk to (grocery/convenience stores, gas, food etc.) and I felt very safe in doing so, even late at night. Parking can be a bit tricky since it's a dense residential area, but it was never more than a 5 minute walk away. Nearby is Adams Avenue, a hip street with trendy local businesses, and Ward Canyon is a lovely park to relax or play sports in. Everyone you meet is incredibly friendly.
-Value: You know the saying "you get what you pay for"? Well, you get more than what you paid for with Bill's place! This home is truly a one-of-a-kind gem in which the host goes above and beyond to make you feel like home. For the first time in my AirBnB-ing life, I felt comfortable enough to take the time to really get settled and unpacked ...to which I was absolutely gutted to be leaving as I already felt like I had been there for months. My personal list of top features/amenities include: the back patio and tropical jungle surrounding the home (makes for great meditation; yoga; journalling; zen space); the Sony dock station (perfect for charging your phone and playing jams that fill the entire house); welcoming gifts (gorgeous, fresh flowers; delicious cookies; cold beverages); extra beach gear (towels and chairs); and the bed (you'll sleep like a baby). I can't wait until my next stay there!