15 Min North Golden Gate Bridge/Hot Tub/Sauna/Jacuzzi/Pets/Wheelchair

• Great Retreat!

  Great Retreat!

  • Guest Lori M.
  • Date of stay 09/28/12
  • Review Submitted 10/01/12
  We stayed in Ben's studio for a weekend away and stayed 2 nights. It was perfect. Communication with him was easy and via cell phone and paypal. I had no problems nor communications problems. This studio was perfect for the weekend but would also work well for a week visit too as there is ample kitchen supplies and lots of space. I picked this location as it was centrally located. We spent Friday in Napa valley, which was 30 minutes away and then Saturday on Angel Island, leaving from Tiberon, which is 20 minutes away. It really is close to everything you would need in the Bay area and surrounding areas. The hot tub was WONDERFUL and heated to a perfect temperature. I never saw the owner, which was fine as we were in and out and there for privacy and quiet...which we got. The ceiling over the bed has a skylight, which we loved and everything was very CLEAN and IMMACULATE. It is in a quiet residential neighborhood and the large tv had extended cable channels and free wifi was available. We didn't use it as we had our smart phones that gave us full internet access. We walked to the mall area for dinner, which took about 8 minutes and was 0.2 miles away (perfect with lots of choices). A Safeway, Starbucks, Peets, and Walgreens are located there also...so very close and convenient. He provided 2 different coffee pots with matching filters, depending on which you prefer. There was a nice gas stove with an oven and a full sized refridgerator. Again, perfect for our needs. My only suggestions would be additional towels as we only had one set and mine got wet from the hot tub and I had to use it to towel off after my shower later and a dust pan. I found a broom, but needed the dust pan as the leaves tracked in from hot tub to studio, so I couldn't sweep up my mess. Otherwise, excellent value and perfect weekend away! Thank you so much for sharing your studio with us! I would definitely stay again and would highly recommend it!

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Clean Convenient and Cozy.

  Clean Convenient and Cozy.

  • Guest AZvisitors
  • Date of stay 03/13/13
  • Review Submitted 03/29/13
  This was our first experience with VRBO's and we were very pleased. The space is very nice for 2 people and has everything provided. The towels and bath are very nice as is the bed. I found it tastefully decorated as well. We brought two small dogs and for their first travel adventure, they were very comfortable. Access to this place is easy as well. It has easy access to the freeway, and lots of stores in walking distance. And although part of a neigborhood, it feels private and secluded. I would definitely stay here again.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, people with disabilities, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Simple and Nice Place

  Simple and Nice Place

  • Guest lovetahoe
  • Date of stay 12/17/12
  • Review Submitted 01/01/13
  I had to find a place super quick, for myself and my cat because another place fell-through. I contacted Ben via the website and he responded really fast via email. He asked me to call him, which wasn't a problem for me. I actually like to speak to someone before I rent from them. I could tell from the phone call he is a somewhat intense person (that isn't a bad thing), and is a very friendly guy. I don't do paypal, so he made it work for me to use my credit card. I arrived later that day and the place was ready as he said it would be. He was very helpful. I'm allergic to mold and to fragrances and my nose can pick-up the mildest odors. At this point in time, I can pretty much say there is no mold inside the studio - because if there was I would have reacted (there are lots of trees and greenery around, if that is a problem for people with allergies). There were also no strong artificial fragrances, which I really apprectiated. There are no carpets, which is great. There was some very minor odor in the kitchen (again, most people wouldn't notice) and Ben was great and bent over backwards to get rid of this very mild smell, which we did via a fan and other avenues. He made every effort to make sure you have what you need and asks you to call him if you need anything. The bed was comfortable with a skylight over head. I was there during some really stormy weather, so I did have a little trouble with the Internet once in a while, but again, help was available via Ben's son. Outside the bathroom are trees, so taking a shower was nice. Good shower, which is important. The place is simple and works well. I would recommend this place to friends and family that are OK with simple. The description and pictures are accurate. I didn't use the hot tub or the sauna. Since it had stormed for many days in a row there was a lot of greenery in front of the place on the ground, but that didn't bother me. Every once in a while you can hear the family, but no-one is loud and it isn't in any way disturbing. It is close to a shopping center, which has a good Thai restaurant by the way. I took two nice walks in the area. Quiet neighborhood and lots of open space if you are into hiking. All in all, if you don't need a fancy place, and want a casual place with a helpful and freindly guy, for a good price, this place will work for you.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• The Perfect Choice

  The Perfect Choice

  • Guest Ream C.
  • Date of stay 11/22/12
  • Review Submitted 11/27/12
  My family and I (including our 6 year old Maltese) stayed at this property for Thanksgiving and couldn't be more pleased with our experience. You enter the property to find yourself in a kitchen that is well stocked with supplies from dishes, cups, utensils, etc. As you move to the next room, you're in the studio bedroom with a queen size bed with a very comfortable mattress, a sofa bed, and skylight which allows a lot of lighting. The bedroom leads you into a nice size bathroom which had our towels waiting for us and a jetted bath tub. The studio had extra perks which included cable tv, wifi internet, a jacuzzi tub (which we we loved using each night after our adventures in San Francisco), a bbq grill and a sauna. I read a previous review where they found cleanliness of the unit to be a problem but I will guarantee that was not the case for us. Everything from the kitchen supplies, floor, bed linens, bath tub, etc was spotless. The owner was easily accessible by phone and ensured us that accommodations can be made if needed which was a huge plus, but it wasn't required because everything was already provided to satisfaction. I highly recommend this property and want to thank Bob for allowing my family to stay here.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• ABM Trainees Please review before booking

  ABM Trainees Please review before booking

  • Guest Ed D.
  • Date of stay 07/21/12
  • Review Submitted 10/25/12
  Unfortunately our stay here was short. We were scheduled to stay 10 days and we only made 3 and only because the hotel we needed was booked. I hope that since our stay the place was cleaned up and made more pleasant. I hesitate to write bad reviews but since I'm a coordinator for a monthly training class near here I need to let and ABM trainees know that this place is not recommended. In short, the place needed some serious TLC inside and outside the room. The layers of dust on the fan, lights, door jams, and walls disturbing. The dishes provided had food caked on them and we had to wash all of the dishes before use. The linens had stains on them that were disgusting. The carpet was removed because it either had fecal matter or vomit on it. The window in the main room gives you a view of a shed in the back that has heaps of tools, appliances, garbage etc that's literally higher than the window. While we were there the owners solution was a question of Why we looked out the window and promptly boarded it up so that there's no natural light. The Hottub was covered with foliage from the trees and bushes you see in the picture. The front door is hidden by what looked like a broken down van parked at the curb and you have to park in front of the next door neighbors house. This room is converted from the rest of the house you'd see in a Google maps search, and if you accidentally walk next door you'll be greeted by many dogs and made to feel like an idiot since you couldn't find the right door. Internet service didn't work and it was a cable ran from the house attached. When you do find the front gate you walk into some huge grease container before you negotiate your way around the overgrown bushes toward the entrance. I took pictures of all of this since the owner was in a different state at the time but he never asked to see them. The owner is an OK guy who tried to accommodate some and the place has potential but like I said, I hope he cleaned up the place inside and out from when we stayed. It wasn't ready for visitors, and he did give us a prompt refund for the stay not used and that was appreciated.

  Owner response: This rental was 3 months ago & there have been no complaints before or after this rental as I have rented for many years.I have never seen a review like this. I have another property #164019 with over 30 five star reviews & do the best job that I can. There is always room for improvment & I will take care of all that is found to be true & correctable. I have very few complaints and question how accurate & true that this review is. I did give the renter a full refund and an apology.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Great Location, clean and ready to go

  Great Location, clean and ready to go

  • Guest AZ
  • Date of stay 08/25/12
  • Review Submitted 09/16/12
  We stayed here the last week of August. The location was perfect for all the bay area activities. Everything was within 30 minutes. The unit was as represpented, clean and ready to go. We enjoyed the hot tub after our daily activities. The bed was comfortable, the shower was hot and the place had all the comforts of home. We had no problems communicating with the owner. I would stay here again when in the area. Way better than any hotel room, nice and private, out door space, in a nice residential neighborhood. This is a great value

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Tidy, well priced unit. Owner prefers phone to email. This aspect of it was inconvenient for me.

  Tidy, well priced unit. Owner prefers phone to email. This aspect of it was inconvenient for me.

  • Guest doesn'ttravellight
  • Date of stay 07/17/12
  • Review Submitted 09/02/12
  The place is tidy, convenient and well priced. What seemed very inconvenient to me is that the owner insists on conveying nearly all relevant information via telephone instead of online. Because of his schedule, my schedule and time zone differences it proved to be an unnecessary hassle to have to make so many phone calls. For this reason I will not return.

  Recommended for: Pet owners.

  Owner response: This traveled emailed me 6 weeks after renting. I emailed her back & told her I did not understand what she was emailing about & asked her to call me. She refused to call me & writes this demeaning review. I am a senior citizen & I find email too difficult as sometimes one question turns into many questions. She had no problem talking to me on the phone to book the rental, but seems to now. I have no idea why she is even contacting me 6 weeks after the rental? Her review has hurt me deeply as a senior citizen doing the best that I can.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Perfect Location

  Perfect Location

  • Guest KED
  • Date of stay 12/22/11
  • Review Submitted 12/29/11
  Quick access to the 101 which allowed us to go to Wine Country and Six Flags but also back to San Francisco with ease. Other attractions we visited included Charles Schultz Museum, Walt Disney Museum, Alcatraz, Fisherman's Wharf, Muir Woods, etc. Keep in mind there is a $6 toll every time you cross the Golden Gate. The studio was clean and equipped with the necessities and the heating unit allowed us to adjust the temperature. A hot tub and grill were available but we didn't use either. If you need something (more linens, etc).. don't hesitate to call the owner; he was accommodating.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Great little place

  Great little place

  • Guest Marlise J.
  • Date of stay 09/18/11
  • Review Submitted 12/15/11
  Contrary to the other review, I had a very good communication with the owner who even called me up in Switzerland a couple of hours after my enquiry. The place is basic but clean and has everything I needed, and the fully equipped kitchen was appreciated. The little outside area (patio and concrete area) is small but a real plus for me and my German Shepherd. It's nice to be able to hang around outside. Someone complained the studio was too small for a big dog... I personally exercise the dog outside and not in the studio... There is a park a block away for urgent business and the Sleepy Hollow Open Space Preserve for off-leash hiking right at the end of the main road. The location is ideal. Right near to the freeway exit, yet in a real quiet neighborhood, and had a great mall a block away with all the shops you can need, including a Pet Food Express. I also enjoyed the fact I was not under the owner's scrutiny. In fact we never saw anyone (owning the place), just found the key and left it as we found it. I appreciate the privacy. I am reluctant to recommend the place, because I'd hate to find it booked when I want to return. Marlise Switzerland

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Poor communication, but good location

  Poor communication, but good location

  • Guest SueH
  • Date of stay 10/17/11
  • Review Submitted 10/31/11
  The property information was accurate. Nothing fancy, but the location and price were good. However...I was very disappointed about the way this owner communicates. I booked it, paid, then didn't hear anything else from him. I emailed him before I left for the first part of my vacation; he called and was rather blunt when he said- Remember? Call me the day before you arrive. I was already in San Francisco, and the day before I was to arrive at his place, I called and called and called -left messages over a period of many hours. I spent time looking for a hotel room until he finally called. HE was on vacation and had no service. Very poor customer contact, yet he also made me feel foolish for being concerned about this. I would NOT book from this place again. Very condescending attitude which made my stay less than it should have been.

  Owner response: I rented this studio to about 75 times a year and I never have had any complaint with communication problem. I understand the value of communication and thus I return every phone call and email I get as quickly as possible, since this is the best way to handle a rental business. Unfortunately, during the time this lady had called I was aboard an Amtrak train going through the mountains of Oregon which a cellular phone reception is very poor. I returned her phone messages as soon as the train arrived in Klamath Falls, Oregon which was three hours later and was unacceptable to the client. I pride myself in having good customer communication and had no idea why this lady claims and felt that I was unprofessional in my communication with her.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 4/4

Additional information about rental rates

$90/night (2 night minimum) 630/ week Plus 60.00 for cleaning fee, once per stay. Minimum age to rent 25. Cancellation done thirty days or more before rental will be fully refunded. Cancellations done less thirty days, will receive a refund based on re-renting, and any discounts that are given will apply to that refund.

Fees:

• Pet Fee: $0
• Taxes Not included