I had a fabulous stay at Melissa and Dave’s Urban Cottage in Austin. The cottage is tucked in behind their beautiful 1940s bungalow on a quiet street in east Austin. The cottage’s placement in relation to their house allows for just the right mix of privacy and proximity. They have a sweet little tomato and greens garden near the cottage’s porch—this was a lovely sight in the early morning. The cottage was very clean (and I am quite particular about this!). I settled right in, welcomed by a nice note from Melissa and Dave and a Smeg refrigerator stocked with mineral water. The space is so tasteful—streamlined, not cluttered or overly-decorated, but also extremely inviting. The kitchen is well-stocked with dishes, utensils, and cooking ware. The window air conditioning units quickly cooled whichever room I was in (I just used one at a time and closed off of the other rooms during the hottest parts of the day). I slept well in the nice-sized bedroom, and enjoyed some relaxation time during the day in the living room. I was in town for a conference at the Hilton and welcomed the quiet space away from downtown. The street is beautiful and quiet, but also within easy walking distance to some of the best spots in Austin. My only regret is that I didn’t have more time to explore east Austin, or just enjoy the quiet cottage time. Melissa and Dave are wonderful hosts!