I hate the rating stars, as they aren't wide enough to really get a good idea of the place. 4 stars is considered too low and 5 is perfect. I would give this place a 4.5 stars.
The host is an excellent one, she is a 5 stars! She was super responsive, very pleasant to talk to and very friendly.
The place is very clean, has a washer/dryer and lots of detergent to wash clothes if staying longer. The bathroom was comfortably large and the kitchen had enough counter space for two people to work in. Not a lot of cabinet space, but she stocked it with nice dishes and gold colored utensils, which were cool. Water pressure is good, and hot water available, she had a bottle of wine, trail mix package and two water bottles for our welcome gift, very appreciated.
The parking is off the street on the driveway, the house is on a quiet residential street, very convenient for walking to the coastal trail and to Quarry Park where you can walk 4-6 miles of trails in the hills. This place is really convenient for restaurants, and just getting to the beach. It is close to Half Moon Bay town center by car, and has some views of the ocean from the deck above the place. The ambiance of the outside plants is nice and the windows on the one side of the place allows light in with enough plants in front to give privacy without making you feel like you are in a cave.
There were a couple things that lowered the rating, some of which when addressed will raise the rating to 4.75 stars.
The place does have only one side with windows, it's advertised as a one bedroom, but the bedroom has no windows to the outside, so an ingenious solution was to put a window between the living room and it, which allows more light into it along with air, but the window has no blinds or drapes and the door is glass, so if one of the parties goes to bed early, then the one staying up is limited on what he can do, otherwise he wakes up the sleeper. However there is a fan, which does provide great ventilation. The bed is soft, but because there is no box spring under the mattress, that was okay on my back. I prefer firm and supportive, but this bed is soft, but not disappear soft.
I would recommend this place because of its location, its host, and the lovely setting with plants. It is also nicely decorated with some cool plants and plants in Christmas glass balls, really neat idea!