Hilary is amazingly responsive. She sent me everything I needed to know before I arrived including step by step public transit instructions for my husband and I (we were coming from separate locations). She answered all my questions by e-mail very quickly and she answered when I called her by phone as well. She is intelligent, kind, and friendly. She wasn’t there when I arrived (which she had communicated to me via e-mail), but gave me instructions to use the lock box for the key, left me a note, and book of maps, menus, and brochures, which was very helpful. The book also included the WiFi password (which works great) and tips about the house (including where she keeps the coffee and tea). I didn’t need to ask for a thing, she is clearly a seasoned Airbnb host and has this down to a science.
I would stay with Hilary again and plan to if I’m ever in Boston again. Everything was as expected/described or better. She has a charming single family old Victorian style home, with all the modern conveniences. As typical with older homes, the bedroom was on the small side (although seemed bigger than pictured) and there wasn’t a closet. There is a tall empty bookcase in the bedroom, where we kept most of our things and there is space under the bed for your suitcases. There were small end tables on each side of the bed as well. My husband was with me and we felt like we had plenty of space.
The home was clean, towels were fresh and fluffy, and the bedding was warm and comfortable. The home is heated by a thermostat, but you also have your own room heater (which we didn’t need, the home was a comfortable temperature for us). She has hardwood and stone floors, which tend to be cold, so if you travel there in the winter bring a pair of slippers.
The neighborhood is so adorable! The houses are beautiful Victorian works of art and there is a hipster vibe. I walked all over Jamaica Plain checking out shops and restaurants that Hilary kindly recommended. Everything is pretty much shut down by 9 or 10, not much of a nightlife there. But the Orange line, which is walking distance from Hilary’s (about a half mile) runs late and frequently on Friday evening. It takes about 30 minutes to get downtown on the orange line. To the airport it takes maybe 45-60 mins, you need to switch form the orange line to the blue line. It was very easy to get around on the T.