I would struggle to recommend this property in Sausalito. I do lots of online reviews, and don't especially enjoy writing those words. In fact, I don't write them often at all.

There were positives to the stay, including very helpful owners and a brilliant location. Having said that, I would be reluctant to book this property again.

Here's why I feel that way:

--it is not clean enough. Maybe I have high expectations, but food bits on the wall behind the stove, bits of paper and whatever that missed the rubbish bin and remained on the floor beside the fridge, dust on the dining room table, cobwebs on the mantlepiece, grimy windows both inside and out, stains on the fabric shower curtain. I could go on, but you get the idea. We paid a cleaning fee as part of our rental. I felt deeply let down by the condition of the property.

--it is cluttered. It was far too full of random extension cords that went nowhere, tubs of glue, pencils, stacks of magazines, including in the toilets, and looking the worse for wear.

--it feels worn. The sofa, cushions, have seen better days. The sheets had bleach marks in places. The carpet needed cleaning. The walls, especially in the bathrooms, cried out for a coat of paint. The balcony needed sweeping and the dead plants cleared away.

--the garbage bin situation was a challenge. I cleared out the non-recycling rubbish before we left, and found myself jamming it into an already full bin of what seemed unbagged waste. This was a very offputting moment. I left the paper and cans and plastics stacked for the cleaner to handle.

--there is little sound buffer between the rental property and the downstairs flat, where the owners were staying. In truth, this was probably more a problem for them than us.

There were positives:

--extremely helpful owners who were quick to reply to emails, assist with parking, laundry access, TV problems. I can not fault them here. We did flag up concerns about cleanliness as our stay neared an end, and they seemed genuinely surprised.

--a superior location. Sausalito is a beautiful community with wonderful shops and restaurants and easy access to San Francisco by car or the ferry. It provides quick access to the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin headlands, Muir Woods and wine country. And it is sunny when the city is still socked in by fog.

--a quiet neighbourhood. We felt safe and secure in this community. The neighbourhood was extremely peaceful. The views were beautiful.

Hope this is helpful.