I picked Marina's place because something about the house spoke to me — it felt warm, homey, and relaxed. And it was all that indeed, but it was also so much more. I felt tremendously welcome and stimulated in her home, and loved meeting her husband, son, and hilariously friendly parakeets. This is beyond mere physical comfort — in fact, it's the very reason for choosing AirBnB over impersonal hotels (an earlier trip this year brought me to the Washington Hilton, and I am still working to erase that memory). I am planning to come back in a couple of months — and definitely to reserve Marina's lovey, very private, and very comfortable room.