Mary Ellen is a most gracious host and offers a great cappuccino in the mornings. We all felt very comfortable in the shared spaces and the downstairs private room and bathroom were very relaxing and sparkling clean. The sleeping mat provided was of excellent quality and my daughter found it quite snug and comfy. Mary Ellen has added thoughtful touches such as home baked goodies and her home is lovely and inviting. The proximity to The Boardwalk, Pier and Downtown cannot be beat. Everything about our stay was exceptional and we wanted for nothing. Meeting Midnight, her beautiful and personable Cockatoo, was a highlight of the trip. Check in and parking were easy and having free parking for the duration of our stay was a huge plus. Detailed instructions for all amenities are provided. We travel to Santa Cruz quite often and Mary Ellen's place just moved to the top of the list of favorite places to stay.