Vacation Rentals by Owner

Beautiful Home and Fabulous Wedding Venue!

Guest: Alison & Steve from Vermont
Date of Stay: 02/01/12 Review Submitted: 02/22/12

We knew this house would be a perfect wedding party venue! We wanted something elegant and beautiful for photos, and also somewhere special for family to stay. We had once lived close by on Hillegass avenue, and wanted to be near UC Berkeley. We were getting married in the Brazil Room, Tilden Park, and we hosted some family from the east coast at this lovely house. We got to visit all our old haunts and this house and location were perfect! We loved that we could walk everywhere.

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Beautiful home! Loved the piano!

Guest: Hannah, Clara, Shana, Ezra, Jason, and Karen
Date of Stay: 12/23/11 Review Submitted: 02/22/12

Thank you so much for letting us stay in your beautiful California home. We had a lot of fun here. The beds were so comfortable!! We also enjoyed playing your wonderful piano and we had a very enjoyable Christmas with family and friends. PS: We also enjoyed your many assortments of tea! Thanks again!

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Perfect house in a perfect location

Guest: J. Corbin
Date of Stay: 11/25/11 Review Submitted: 02/22/12

Maura - Thanks for another fabulous stay! Perfect house in the perfect location! See you again soon! ~ The Corbins~

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A Perfect Venue for our Special Occasion!

Guest: Jay & Cathy Allen
Date of Stay: 09/11/11 Review Submitted: 02/22/12

Maura ~ Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us for our special wedding occasion! We enjoyed our stay and everything worked out perfectly! Your home is lovely, well appointed and very well accessorized! Thank you for your generosity and help with everything. A very sincere thank you! Jay and Cathy ~ and the Chez Panisse Wedding Party!

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Love the house and neighborhood!

Guest: Michael Thibodeau
Date of Stay: 03/15/11 Review Submitted: 02/22/12

My family and I had a wonderful time! We love the neighborhood, house and all the shops on College Avenue. The kids really enjoyed going to Tilden Park and riding on the miniature steam trains. Thanks for everything!

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Unbelievably well appointed for traveling with children, but also luxurious

Guest: LH (Seattle)
Date of Stay: 09/30/10 Review Submitted: 10/06/10

The apartment is gorgeous, wonderfully located for exploring a great area of Berkeley (and with good walking access to BART for travel into SF), and could not be better appointed for traveling with kids. The owner, Maura, actually purchased extra baby/kid gear when she learned our group would include two toddlers and two infants. The house was already stocked with toys, books, videos, a great high-chair, and a child's aerobed, but she bought two pack-n-play portable cribs, a baby bath tub, and a toddler tub for us to use. Given that she bent over backwards to make the place kid-friendly, we were amazed at how beautifully decorated it was. As other reviews have mentioned, the linens are wonderful and the beds are very comfortable. The space was big enough for six adults and four kids, and we hosted a dinner for twelve adults one evening. The washer dryer was also a huge plus for our group. Really, it couldn't have been nicer!

Owner response:Lucy- thanks for your kind words. I am delighted to hear that everything worked out for you and your guests, and that the house suited your needs. Do come visit again if you come to Berkeley! Maura

Recommended for:Families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Fabulous home for Bay Area visitors

Guest: Martina (Oakland, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/21/10 Review Submitted: 10/06/10

We rented this house for my mom for the week before our wedding. It was perfect. It was perfectly situated, the house itself was spectacular and served as the place where my mom met my future mother-in-law for the first time. We had a nice dinner with my mother, my now husband, my aunt and my future mother and sister in law. It was the perfect setting. The house was beautiful, and very well-maintained. Maura was very helpful with any questions we had about the house and area. It was exactly what we expected, clean, and in a great area. Close to College Ave. the house was close to supermarkets and shopping and movie theater.

Owner response:Martina - I'm so happy to hear that the house was perfect for your wedding party from Argentina. I enjoyed meeting your mother and hope you and she will send on photos of the beautiful wedding bouquets she decorated the house with in anticipation of your wedding party. Congratulations again! Maura

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Marcia, Ivan & Family
Date of Stay: 08/26/10 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

This was the perfect spot Maura – thank you! You went so out of your way, over and over, to make our stay comfortable and easy. We are very grateful. The house is beautiful and extremely well stocked, and we look forward to visiting again. Thaks again for all your superb help with the kid’s toys, beds, strollers…! Charlottesville Virginia & Swaziland, Africa

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Guest: Marcia
Date of Stay: 08/26/10 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

Dear Maura Thanks you so so much for being so helpful with all of the children’s stuff; it was extremely useful! A terrific time in a terrific home with a terrific owner! Thanks for all your courtesy and kindness. We’d love to return. Warmly, Marcia

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Neighborhood and house echo 100 years ago

Guest: J. Bernard from Laguna Beach, CA
Date of Stay: 08/03/10 Review Submitted: 02/22/12

I'm sitting on the sofa, looking down the "Grand Allee" to the kitchen. The house and the neighborhood are a wonderful echo of 100 years ago. We liked getting up early and fetching the paper form Alta Bates, shopping at Whole Foods, and getting ice cream at Ici on College Avenue. We loved our dinners at the dining room table and we really enjoyed our week here.

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House in Berkeley

Guest: soete (Melbourne, Florida)
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 10/15/10

We stayed here with 4 adults and 2 children. The location was fantastic, the area lovely to walk in. The house was very well equipped. Great Whole Foods Store just down the street. There was only one bathroom and the kitchen was a little crowded for two cooks but we would definitely stay there again! Maura was very helpful and made great suggestions on what to do with children and where to shop. Also helped us get a parking pass, so we did not have to move our second car every 2 hours. Our son used the garage for his rental car.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Patricia, Jeroen, Julia & Emma
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

August 14 2010 Dear Maura, What a lovely home you have! We enjoyed our Berkeley stay very much, saw all te sights in an around San Francisco and loved coming ‘home’ in the evening. Loved the beds (slept in late!) and sheets. The girls favored the piano; they played all their favorite songs and sang along. Thanks for having us! Patricia, Jeroen, Julia and Emma See you in Amsterdam! From Amstelveen The Netherlands

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Guest: Carl & Family
Date of Stay: 07/18/10 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

July 26 2010 The week went by too fast. The boys loved the blow-up bed! The stroller was a lifesaver! The area is spectacular and I’d be back in a heartbeat if I could. Kitchen is very well equipped! Loved being here, and hope to be back next year! Carl Florida and Saudi Arabia

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Guest: Chris, Phil & the Boys
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

June 26,2010 Maura - Thank you so much for having us at the Elmwood House. Our kids really enjoyed their stay here. The toys and video s were great! It is a fabulous location and we enjoyed Berkeley so much! It brought back many memories for my husband from his college says ! Thanks again! Chris, Phil and Boys! LA

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Guest: Josie Scholz (Washington, DC)
Date of Stay: 01/17/10 Review Submitted: 01/17/10

We had a great time in Berkeley in this house. The location is superior, close to transportation and within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and entertainment. The kitchen turned out to be marvelously and thoughtfully well equipped, and the linens and beds were so comfortable. Elmwood House provided a serene base for fun, family, and renewal in Berkeley. Maura, thank you for being so responsive to all our needs! Everything was awesome! You are a great host for vacations at Elmwood House. Until next time. Warmly, Bob, Josie, Stephen Scholz (By the way, my son loved his bed and sheets so much, he would like to know where he can buy them!)

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Guest: Wendy Doran-Paley (South Orange, New Jersey)
Date of Stay: 01/17/10 Review Submitted: 01/17/10

This truly felt like our home away from home during our time in the bay area. Thank you for equipping the house so well, and especially for providing us with all we needed for our little girl. Joanna, Wendy and Maggie Doran-Paley

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Guest: Sarah Taylor (Milton Keynes, UK)
Date of Stay: 01/17/10 Review Submitted: 01/17/10

We stayed here whilst on a surprise visit to see my brother and his family at the end of August last year. The house is finished to a very high standard in a lovely area with all you could possibly need such as restaurants, supermarkets etc nearby. The neighborhood is lovely. Maura the owner was very accommodating, we traveled with a 1yr and 4yr sold and were supplied a lovely cot and bedding for my youngest and lots of toys and books for them to play with. We were made very welcome and had everything we could possibly need nothing was too much trouble. It is in a very central location for making day trips either by car or train, as there are Bart stations near by. One of my favorite places for the children is Oakland Zoo, a brilliant place! If you have young children there is also a fantastic park about 100yds away. I would highly recommend this as a place to stay and hope to return in the not to distant future!

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Guest: Claudia Lambert (-)
Date of Stay: 01/15/10 Review Submitted: 01/15/10

This is a beautiful home in a prime central location. Lots of light and space for our large family. We had two small children with us and the owner accommodated us with crib, and a kid AERO bed which was a huge hit with our 4 year old, as well as a fantastic selection of toys, puzzles, books and videos so the kids settled right in and we relaxed! (Everything provided was of exceptionally high quality from toys to bedding to dinnerware.) The beds and linens were so comfortable that we asked the owner where we could purchase them! By far the most comfortable beds and sheets we've ever slept on. We loved the neighborhood, its houses, people and history! There was so much to do that we couldn't fit it all in, but not to be missed are College Avenue for eating out at night (walk from the house) and all its many varied stores. We will be back to visit family next year, and gladly won't search for another place to stay again as we want to stay here. The owner's attention to detail and kind hospitality made our stay so memorable! We were greeted upon arrival, and our every need was met promptly. Maura is a terrific host and Regent House was the best vacation home we have stayed in yet. Bart was just a short walk from the house, and excursions to San Francisco were so accessible and easy to get to. Loved it all. We'll be back. Thank you!

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Guest: Juniper, Tweema, Sadie & Sam
Date of Stay: 01/11/10 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

April 10 2010 Thanks Maura! We loved our home away for the last threee months. It was baby Sam’s first house! Sadie appreciated all the books and toys - and the clothes when we arrived without luggage!! If you ever get to East Africa, or Tanzania, look us up! Henry was a great help also! Thank you Jennifer, Tweema, Sadie, and Sam Tanzania, Africa

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Guest: Linda & Bill
Date of Stay: 08/21/09 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

August 28 2009 We have rented a few homes here…and this is by far has been the nicest. It has all the conveniences of home. Our grandchildren live a half mile from here. It was easy to walk to everything Thank you for sharing your wonderful home. Bill and Linda Manhattan Beach, CA

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/12/09 Review Submitted: 08/12/09

This is a beautiful maintained and ideally-situated property. In fact, the house is a stone's throw from bus lines, wonderful shopping, cafes, and world-class eating. Royalty could stay, here. As well, the landlord is a gem. Some properties are not as advertised, and this property exceeds its gorgeous pictures. You will not be disappointed;this property is a gem above all other Berkeley rental gems.

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Guest: Larry G (Atascadero, CA)
Date of Stay: 08/02/09 Review Submitted: 08/02/09

My Family loved our stay at the Regent House.We found the College Ave area full of a variety of restaurants, ice cream shops, coffee shops, stores and boutique clothing stores a short walk from the house.We had 4 teenagers who enjoyed downtown Berkeley and the UC Campus.A short drive across the Bay Bridge and we spent a day in China Town, North Beach and the Ferry Terminal for a San Francisco tour.Regent House was a home away from home for my family's 1 week vacation to Berkeley and the Bay Area.

Owner response:Larry, delighted that you and your family enjoyed your stay! I hope you will return to stay again soon! Maura

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Guest: Ibbles from UK (UK, London)
Date of Stay: 07/16/09 Review Submitted: 07/16/09

super house - actually above our alreday very high expecattions. Did not want a hotel for family holiday and have tried house lets a few times - Its always better than a hotel in my view but this house was exceptional. Really excellent decor and bed linen etc but of course what really matters is that it is a really excellent location to see all of the bay area from and indeed to see Berkeley from which has so much history. would definitely recommend the house and I think that the rates are very reasonable for what is being offered. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Also the neighbourhood is really upmarket and friendly which was so much better tahn satying on the 'high street' as we say in the uK.

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Guest: Marie-Claire, Nigel, Anouk & Marie
Date of Stay: 07/11/09 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

July 18 2010 What a gorgeous comfy house! We loved our California week here! Thank you so much for the extra help with getting Anouk’s urgent medical appointment set so promptly! It was greatly appreciated! Marie-Claire and Nigel Durham United Kingdom England The bed was very very soft. - Anouk I like the Beany and Ramona books here. I really liked reading Junie B. Jones and Beaney and Ivy books – Marie

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Beautiful home in fabulous location

Guest: Souzanne (Emeryville, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/10/09 Review Submitted: 07/18/09

This turn-of-the-century Edwardian Colonial Revival Berkeley home is replete with wonderful architectural detail and beautiful interior design. The owner's careful attention to detail gives it the feel of a warm and loved private home rather than a place for rent. Her style and impeccable taste are evident throughout, with high-end furniture, fine-quality fabrics, and gorgeous bed linens. The colors are beautifully coordinated, sophisticated, and enhanced by the many windows and sunlight in every room. The entire space, design and mood flow seamlessly, artistically, and restfully. Additionally, there is every item needed for comfort, efficiency, and luxurious living, including a great selection of books, videos and maps, which we used regularly. Elmwood House is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, and in a wonderful historic Berkeley town called 'The Elmwood.' Within minutes of the front door are parks, shopping, cafes, restaurants, movie theater, Cal Performances, and much to see and do. This is one of my favorite places, and I try to visit as frequently as I can. Loved this home and location, and the owner (Maura) is so accommodating and welcoming. I miss my evening walks to College Avenue to eat out at the many great restaurants, and then waiting in line for the gourmet ice-cream at Ici.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Annie D. (santa rosa, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/08/09 Review Submitted: 07/08/09

I highly recommend this lovely home for anyone looking for a classy, spacious rental in one of Berkeley's best neighborhoods. Hardwood floors, built-in cabinetry, fully stocked gourmet kitchen, luxuriously comfortable bed, quiet neighborhood, beautiful furniture, and lots of natural light through large windows. Easy walking distance to the best restaurants and shops along College Avenue. The most beautiful and well-located home-away-from-home I've ever stayed at in the Bay Area.

Owner response:Thanks Annie for your kind words! Delighted that you enjoyed your stay and hope you will be back soon. Maura

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Guest: Junio1 (London UK)
Date of Stay: 07/08/09 Review Submitted: 07/08/09

Wow! What a beautiful home. This is a wonderful place to stay. Peaceful and quiet yet it's only a short stroll to the many local facilities that Elmwood/Berkeley has to offer. Steeped in history, this house and neighbourhood makes one step back in time - yet it's very 21st century comfort! There are great restaurants, shops, bookstores and places of interest right on your doorstep. The house and immediate area is spotless and every room looks like it was designed by an interior designer - and yet you get a very homely feel. There was ample room for our family of 4 and the owner (who is Irish) was most helpful in getting us settled in. Every accoutrement you could possibly need is provided - even a selection of DVD movies and CDs. The beds are extremely comfortable (SO important when renting!!) and the linen was beautiful. We would definitely come back and are already looking at a 2010 visit. Don't hesitate with this one - it is a GEM.

Owner response:Junio & Mark, thanks for choosing Elmwood House for your vacation! It was wonderful having you here! Thank you for writing and will look forward to seeing you next year! Maura

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Nice place for romantic getaway

Guest: Haha (Kildare Ireland)
Date of Stay: 07/06/09 Review Submitted: 07/16/09

I recommend this house strongly. Its in a great private location in a really upmarket area. The house itself is very well furnished and kept beautifully. The house has got a very central location and gives easy access to great restraunts and all the sites. Highly recommended

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

UK Reviewer -great house to see all Bay Area from

Guest: Ibbles from UK (UK, London)
Date of Stay: 07/01/09 Review Submitted: 07/16/09

An excellent location to see all of the bay area from. The house is really exceptional and is arranged just like a family home. Verty well decorated with really good bed linen and other nice touches. Bekely uitself was agreat experience - very friendly university town with lots of history and plenty to do if you dont feel like going much farther afield. I stayed here for only one week and am alreday planning to go back to the same place when I go to SanFrisco on business later this year - I am going to take the house for a week myself. It was that good and so much nicer than staying in a hotel..

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great vacation rental for families

Guest: dk92112 (boston ma)
Date of Stay: 06/23/09 Review Submitted: 07/02/09

The house is large and spacious, and generally very well kept with a newly renovated patio. Great value for families traveling who don't want to throw down for a hotel room for a week or more. - Drew K. , Boston MA

Recommended for:Families with young children

Guest: HenryK (berkeley )
Date of Stay: 06/08/09 Review Submitted: 06/08/09

I highly recommend this rental!! If you are seeking a great pied-à-terre that has ambience, comfort, and charm with close proximity to campus, great restaurants, and shopping then check out this rental.It is tastefully furnished with new everything, including beautiful bedding, furniture, cookware, appliances (blenders, griddle, etc.), two sets of dishes, and a Bosch gas range. It is located on a dead-end street with no noisy through traffic and the neighbors are really cordial. It has Comcast cable and a color TV, even a garage and backyard for storage of bikes and boxes. The owner was very kind and made me feel at home, accommodating my every request during my visit April through June 2009. I checked out many other places but either the location or the furnishings were not first class like this one.

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Old world class & charm, fantastic Berkeley locale

Guest: Annie D. (santa rosa, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/22/09 Review Submitted: 07/07/09

I highly recommend this lovely home for anyone looking for a classy, spacious rental in one of Berkeley's best neighborhoods. Hardwood floors, built-in cabinetry, fully stocked gourmet kitchen, luxuriously comfortable bed, quiet neighborhood, beautiful furniture, and lots of natural light through large windows. Easy walking distance to the best restaurants and shops along College Avenue. The most beautiful and well-located home-away-from-home I've ever stayed at in the Bay Area.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

Charm, comfort, and close to College.

Guest: HenryK (berkeley )
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 07/06/09

I highly recommend this rental!! If you are seeking a great pied-à-terre that has ambience, comfort, and charm with close proximity to campus, great restaurants, and shopping then check out this rental. It is tastefully furnished with new everything, including beautiful bedding, furniture, cookware, appliances (blenders, griddle, etc.), two sets of dishes, and a Bosch gas range. It is located on a dead-end street with no noisy through traffic and the neighbors are really cordial. It has Comcast cable and a color TV, even a garage and backyard for storage of bikes and boxes. The owner was very kind and made me feel at home, accommodating my every request during my visit April through June 2009. I checked out many other places but either the location or the furnishings were not first class like this one.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.