I’ve stayed in a room in people’s homes before, and the experiences span the spectrum of amazing to bad. This experience was just fine.
I’m an adaptable person, I’ve stayed in homes all over the US and Europe, and at the risk of sound like a Karen, I’m going to give you my honest review.
For me, it was just about finding an affordable place to crash for a night in Seattle, and this did the trick, but me and my friend would’ve just been more comfortable in a budget hotel. Here’s why:
The host greeted us in her robe. So right off the bat we realized we were really up in someone’s space and it sort of set the tone for that uncomfortable feeling you get in some air bnbs of being a nuisance.
Or that feeling when you stay with a relative who doesn’t actually want you there.
There are a rules posted everywhere, and she’ll remind you several times: “Walk on your tippy toes in your room. Shut all doors noiselessly. No coffee in your room. Etc”
And you might think it’s worth it because of the benefits you get in some air bnbs, but I’m telling you, even as a very assertive person, I felt uncomfortable getting a glass of water—much less using the espresso machine. Which, by the way, is not in a tidy kitchen like the photos show. It’s in a very cluttered kitchen that isn’t guest friendly at all.
On top of that, the upstairs sitting space that is deceptively isolated in the pictures, is actually shared by two rooms. We didn’t know, and she didn’t tell us that we would be sharing the upstairs sitting room with two other people. So I left a hair brush there and she was quick to remind me that this wasn’t okay.
What I considered not okay was that we’d be operating as if we weren’t sharing that space—at one point walking around in towels. The other door is sort of hidden back in a corner.
We ended up just going to bed early and getting out of there as early as possible. And we wish the nights rest would’ve been great, but the AC makes a *very* loud noise every time it clicks on, and the pillows badly need to be replaced :(
Finally, you might think people are being ridiculous about the stairs, but dude, they really are dangerous. Like it would be super easy to slip and fall. And if you follow her directions, you won’t fall—probably. But if you have any mobility issues this truly isn’t your place.
Again, for me, it’s just a situation where grabbing a cheap hotel makes more sense, or risking it at a different shared air bnb experience.
But if nothing I said bothered you a bit, then go for it! The host isn’t mean, the place is cute, you’re down the street from some breweries, and 20-30 mins from other stuff, and your room and bathroom are clean.
I hope this helps someone! It’s the review I wish someone else would’ve written.