So.... I'm afraid to write a great review because then everyone will want to stay here and all the dates will be booked solid, but here I go despite wanting to keep this hidden gem all to myself....
For those of you who are ADD like me, you can skip to the summary at the end...
I am SUPER particular and research everything to death and had a ton of concerns because this was our first Airbnb experience. I contacted michelle and Elmer so many times before our stay and each time they responded right away and were incredibly helpful. We drove from NY and needed a parking permit which they got for us ( and Michelle even reached out to me TWICE to remind me that I needed to get her my vehicle information). They answered all of my questions and concerns and made the experience seamless. Now let's talk about the place, parking, etc....
The carriage house sits behind the main house where michelle and Elmer live, attached by a cute little enclosed courtyard. The carriage house has a private entrance from an alley in the back which goes out to the street where we usually parked. The area is well lit and although you always have to be vigilant in a city environment, it felt safe ( and that's coming from a police officer). The carriage house itself is truly lovely!! I travelled with my husband and children (6&10) and they loved the place. My children are already asking to come back and specifically to stay there. You can pretty much walk to everything... A few blocks for food, 1.8 miles to the national mall straight down 6th st, etc. Because it's a duplex, with the master suite upstairs, you don't have to worry about noise from above or below or more importantly making noise that will disturb your neighbors. Michelle and elders grill broke before we got there and they actually went out and bought a grill so that we can bbq outside.... Folks... Not the $100 special.... A WEBER!!! These are the kind of hosts you are dealing with!!! You can't put a price tag on that kind of generosity. For fear that this review is too long and will be cut off here is a full SUMMARY:
Hosts:amazing. Location: fantastic. Carriage house: well appointed and felt like home. Amenities: plentiful (full kitchen, washer dryer, bbq, etc). space: small but well distributed and well furnished. Family friendly: kids want to go back... Enough said. We will be visiting again, if Michelle and Elmer will have us.