Gretchen (and John)'s Austin Tree House is an Airbnb home run. From the modern aesthetic to the comforts of home, this place hits all the right notes for an enjoyable stay. First, check in was seamless with code access and a Ring doorbell (which I appreciated in addition to an exterior Nest camera that made the place feel safe and secure). The home was very clean and well designed. Some newer, more modern places I've stayed have skimped on quality, but Gretchen and John's space is designed thoughtfully and with quality materials--beautiful hardwood floors, nice countertops and appliances (like a swoon worthy Smeg toaster), and ample outlets and trashcans. The natural light is fantastic, along with other design details like the fact that the house feels private when you are in it because it doesn't overlook the main house's backyard. I gathered from my stay that the Austin Tree House is something like a garage apartment, but doesn't feel that way at all because the entrance to the Airbnb is on a separate dead end street, you cannot see into the main house's yard, and it seems to have been built specifically for the needs of the guest.
We enjoyed slow mornings having coffee/tea on the outside deck while our young, tv deprived kids watched a few too many shows on Gretchen's streaming services. The tv, by the way, is the picture frame kind that looks like art when turned off. There were a few games on the shelf (Scrabble, Monopoly, and Clue) and a Bose speaker which was so nice for listening to music while puttering around the house. The bathroom had a nice shower, first aid kit, and basket for dirty clothes/towels (so smart). There is also a washer and dryer, which we did not utilize but bonus. The kitchen is set up with the basics for cooking (we cooked breakfasts only but could have cooked dinner if necessary) and everything felt very new. There is also a mudroom-like entrance with coat hooks and cubbies for shoes, which is super smart for keeping your things organized. Very thoughtful touches made for a really lovely stay.