I couldn't have gotten luckier with opting to stay at Mei Lin's place. She was technically fully booked but sweetly accommodated me in her daughter's room when I reached out about the dates.
If you need to stay in the Stanford area, you can't do better. Mei Lin and Ross's lovely house is located barely 1.5 miles away from my part of campus in a safe and beautiful area of Palo Alto known as 'Professorville' for obvious reasons. A Whole Foods and other easy restaurant options are just three blocks away.
As for the house itself, it is cozy and serene. During my stay I think there were 6 people in the house but I honestly wouldn't have known. It never felt loud or crowded or anything other than peaceful. The kitchen is clearly labeled so that you can figure out exactly how to do everything from locate a fork to properly disposing of recycling. This made me feel comfortable and at home right away, as did the house guide in my room that explained how everything works. The room itself was well heated (it being December) and the bathroom next to it was bright and clean.
The best part, however, is that Mei Lin and Ross are truly lovely human beings. I fell ill on my way to California and was quite sick the whole week I was there and really didn't feel like myself. Mei Lin's kindness ranged from taking me to CVS and Stanford's campus the first day I met her to treating me to homemade chicken soup. We had much to chat about with similar interests in the public good and civil society but even if that were not so, it's obvious how generous she is. Ross was always kind and courteous as well, helping me to work the washer/dryer, making local restaurant suggestions, and even offering to lend me a bicycle (I never felt well enough but really appreciated the thought). I think this airbnb is a gem and I think you'll think so too.