Everything we needed

Guest: Jewel (Reno NV)
Date of Stay: 07/08/11 Review Submitted: 07/20/11

3 adults stayed here in July of this year for 8 days. We were concerned after reading the last review but our experience was very different! Many of that person's points are accurate. For instance, the kitchen IS very small and not very well laid-out; storage is almost non-existent. The stove was fine though, and there was a good assortment of pans, knives, glasses, cutlery etc. (If you plan to cook, be prepared to bring ALL your ingredients because no food-stuffs are left in the kitchen.) The comments about the condition of the house didn't really apply, though. Yes, it's an old house but it's been renovated. The carpets seemed in good condition and the refrigerator was great. Maybe these were replaced, I don't know. The furniture wasn't new but I wouldn't call it ratty either. Comfortable was a word that came to mind. The bath with the claw-foot tub IS a little spare but the one off the master bedroom is quite comfortable. The beds were very nice. A word of caution about the upstairs room; there's a double (or queen) bed and a twin bed but no privacy. Also the window mounted A/C up there ran full-time to keep the space tolerably cool. The master bedroom was very nice though, with a king bed and ceiling fan plus good airflow through several windows. It has a very generous closet too. We enjoyed being able to park off the street and sitting on the tiny front porch in the late afternoons was delightful. This house is truly close to downtown -- we walked almost everywhere! I'd stay here again and I'd recommend it to a small group or family with 3 or fewer kids.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, families with teenagers, girls getaway, families with young children.

Great location

Guest: Kessay (Northern California)
Date of Stay: 08/25/10 Review Submitted: 02/11/11

Two couples stayed here in August, 2010. We loved the location of the house and that it had spaces where we could go if we didn't feel like sleeping (without disturbing anyone else!). We were close to everything Ashland had to offer and that was the best part! The breakfast nook was cute and that is the only room that looks exactly like the pictures. However, other than that, the pictures do not accurately display the worn condition of things. For example, the carpeting seemed cheap and the furniture was quite dated and worn-looking. Everything looks and feels second-hand in this house. I would not describe the kitchen as fully stocked. In addition, the kitchen is difficult to cook in. There are no cabinets, just some shelves with a few dishes and plates, and the design makes it impossible for more than one person to be in there at a time. There is no dishwasher and no counter space near the sink, for that matter. Also, both bathrooms are on the main floor, which makes things inconvenient for the people staying upstairs. The bathroom with the clawfoot tub is also the laundry area with a washer and dryer. There is no counterspace for toiletries in this bathroom, either. The ensuite bathroom for the king bedroom, on the main floor, while spacious, is long overdue for a remodel. It has a wood toilet seat, a very-dated tile shower and a sink with no countertop or storage space. The old dresser behind the sink can be used for storage, but it's looking pretty worn as well. The property was nice on the outside and the porch was pleasant for relaxing. We had one major problem: the refrigerator froze food the entire time we were there. We lost a lot of money on food we brought with us as well as food we purchased and we were never able to make the fridge the proper temperature no matter how we adjusted it! An A/C vent did not work when we checked in and the owner came and said it would have to wait several days til she could get a repairperson here to fix it. Fortunately, the weather turned cool the next day and we no longer needed it, but we would have been really unhappy if the weather had stayed in the 100's and we could not cool down the bedroom!

Owner response:We always appreciate reviews from our guests and take seriously and consider all comments. Many guests find the atmosphere of our mid-1900 style home charming. We try to ensure comfort as well. Our policy is to repair or replace all appliances, to fix plumbing and the electrical and heating systems as soon as problems are brought to our attention. We are planning a spring refurbishing this April. and hope you will vist and enjoy our bright, new look.

Recommended for:Tourists without a car.

Guest: Edward Kilham (North Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 05/04/08 Review Submitted: 05/04/08

A beautiful and quiet place to stay. A short walk to downtown. Close to several great breakfast locations, a movie theatre and an excellent Co-Op market. My two daughters had a great time in the upstairs bedroom. My father-in-law came with us and stayed in the studio apartment across the courtyard which was very convenient.

Recommended for:

Guest: Angie45 (redding, ca)
Date of Stay: 04/21/08 Review Submitted: 04/21/08

My family and I stayed at the Helman House and found it to be so comfortable and homey. I especially loved the bathtub! Kudos for the cleanliness!

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