Chip is a gracious host and presides over a fabulous home. It is a grand Victorian, an oasis of charm in a convenient location. The neighborhood is not as adorable, but clearly is in the process of gentrifying and is a great spot for Latin food, music and nightlife. I didn't have time to visit, but I did count several nightclubs with dance music on the street near his home.

My room was clean and beautifully decorated. The bed is five star comfortable and I'm saying that having just slept in a five star hotel where I was equally impressed with the mattress. The bathroom is large and had everything I needed. Chip even left a welcome serving of sherry on the dresser and chilled Perrier in the room fridge. No plastic glassware either, crystal for the cocktail, nice glasses for the water. China cups for tea which was available in my room along with some juice.

Chip made and served a delicious hot breakfast both mornings of my stay and joined me for conversation. We ate in the grand dining room on a table fully set with cloth napkins.

On my first night, I ate a simple dinner I'd brought with me, on the small table in his kitchen while another guest played classical music on the grand piano in the living room. At this point, I said to myself, "This is why I love airbnb."