Inner Light Guest House
I've included below a few of the hundreds of reviews I've received in several years of offering accomodations. To see more, go to my Airbnb profile.
"Thank you for hosting me last minute this holiday season. I have had another peaceful and lovely retreat in this quiet, colorful home. I love all the spaciousness in the room!
--Amanda, December 2017
“I had a great experience at Inner Light Guest House. It was far more quiet than a hotel, other guests were friendly and respectful, and the atmosphere very calm and inviting. All the instructions given were accurate and easy to follow so I knew exactly what to expect and do on arrival. Deborah introduced me to her chickens and rabbit when I asked her to, which I really enjoyed. She was diligent in maintaining the house - a problem with one of the toilets was detected and completely repaired in short order. I loved that in the Meditation Room I could faintly hear the fountain just outside the room, and that there was a delicious library right there for me to peruse. I only wish I could have spent more time in this lovely retreat.”
--Quinn-Columba, British Columbia, Canada, October 2016
This was one of my favorite airbnb experiences ever! Deborah was super communicative and so kind. I did not want to leave this cozy little space. It has so much character and charm it will not disappoint. Moonstone - your rabbit neighbor- is the sweetest. Make sure to say hello!
--Anastasia, from California, September 2016
This was my second stay at Deborah's place -- a relaxing and quiet haven. The amenities are fantastic, and the location is ideal. Highly recommended and will stay here again! Thanks, Deborah!
--Ed, from Portland, Oregon, September 2016
La stanza era molto bella e accogliente, mi sono sentita subito a casa. C'erano anche un infinità di libri molto interessanti che purtroppo non ho avuto tempo di leggere. Deborah è stata precisa in tutto, indicazioni perfette per arrivate ed entrare nella casa. Ho usato anche la bici per un prezzo molto conveniente. Molto soddisfatta del mio soggiorno che è durato 9 notti.
-- Annapaola, from Torino, Italy, August 2016
Perfect location!!! Quiet. Very nice historical home.
-- Tova, from California, September 2016
"Clean, basic, & straightforward. A simple & comfortable reprieve from an American politically correct socializing existence. Come, but leave all complexities on the street!"
-- Amanda, from California, August 2016
Expérience très positive! Si vous aimez voyager sereinement et avoir un espace calme pour vous relaxer, alors ce logement est idéal!
-- Julien, from France, August 2016
Do not hesitate to book a stay at the Magical Hobbit House, you won't regret it. I can't remember when I've been more pleasantly surprised by the ambiance and character of a lodging. I would definitely return just to stay in this special healing space. Deborah is an old soul who has thought about every detail of the traveler's experience. I can remember sitting down at the desk and thinking it's a little warm, when I peaked up there was a personal fan right in front of me. These type of synchronicities happened my entire stay it was awesome. As cool as the space was, the location is even better. Within about a five minute walk to the Ashby BART station you can be in the City in no time. I drove in and had zero trouble finding parking. For the price, if you are lucky enough to find space, this is such a good deal. Namaste Deborah and the Magical Hobbit House!
--Aaron, from California, July 2016
Deborah's place is even more delightful than the descriptions let on. It's a charming and eclectic sanctuary amidst a busy area of the state. It was comforting to know that after long days of sightseeing, I could return to a calm, tranquil environment such as this. Uniquely Bay Area-ish in a way that is refreshing and homey. I hope I can return sometime!
--Dillon, from California, July 2016
This listing was just as described. The mediation room was a wonderful space in the front of the house. Bright colors and a ton of books on the shelves. A table to write on and a zafu for sitting mediation by the three large windows. Quiet and peaceful, I fell asleep each night to the sound of water from the small circular pond out front. The neighborhood was quiet and quaint. I found food on Adeline, Shattuck and Telegraph Streets though I liked Shattuck and Telegraph better than Adeline. It was one of the most relaxing times I have ever had. I read, wrote in my journal and sat in meditation daily. It's a wonderful space and priceless relaxation.
--Kendra, from Michigan, July 2016
An oasis in the rush and bustle of my trip to San Fransisco. A quiet, calm, welcoming house and host. And when I sunburnt my nose on the ferry to Sausalito, Deborah was quick to offer me some soothing aloe vera from a plant in her garden. There were eggs from her hens and plums from her tree too. A real home from home.
--Liz, from Donegal, Ireland, July 2016
"I had a quick work trip in the Bay Area and Deborah's home provided a quiet, comfortable retreat after a long day of work. One particular highlight was the sound of the homemade fountain each night and morning that set a relaxing tone in the Meditation Room."
-- Dustin, from New York, June 2016
Deborah was very thorough in her communication making it quite easy to navigate to her home. She gave a wonderful tour of the house and made me feel at home. She made herself available, but left me to my own devices so I felt I had plenty of privacy.
--Alysia, from New York, June 2016
Very quiet, mellow, Craftsman style house with individually locked rooms for privacy and security. Huge kitchen, rooms far enough apart to ensure privacy, barely heard anyone else there. Loved the sound of trickling water at night, and clucking chickens in the morning. My week long stay slipped by very quickly. Walking distance to BART, close to everything, nice little neighborhood.
--Liz, from San Francisco Bay Area, June 2016
Amazing charming house (feels like a typical californian house you'd see in movies)! Deborah is a great host and a very generous person! Do not be afraid by the rules: they are basically common sense (removing shoes or washing your dishes etc.). I felt no pressure whatsoever during my stay regarding those rules: they are applied pretty much everywhere. The house feels very quiet and relaxing and everybody gets his own privacy. The atmosphere was great. Regarding the rooms: I stayed in the Enchanted Lair and the Peaceful Retreat for over 2months. Both are pretty and comfy. Enchanted Lair (1rst floor) is more luminous, Peaceful Retreat (ground floor) is bigger. Regarding the location: simply perfect. -2min walking to Bart which makes it ideal for short term stay (direct from the airport) . Ideal to get to SF, UC Berkeley, Oakland etc. -15/20min bike ride to UC Berkeley (flat, mostly bike lane). -2min walking from where most of the silicon valley buses leave (check with your company). -Berkeley Bowl close by! Have a look at the chickens!
--Antoine, from Switzerland, March 2016
Deborah is a marvelous welcoming person. Her home is vibrant with happy energy and clean and comfortable. The location is prime, a 2-3 minute walk to the BART, an easy walk to landmark grocery store Berkeley Bowl, and diverse, high quality dining options all in 5-10 minute walks as well. I really enjoyed staying here!
-- Joel, from New York City, May 2016
I LOVE deborah's place! this is the second time I've visited this enchanting home in the middle of the city, and every time I'm amazed at how quite and relaxed this place is. the decor is inviting and warm, deborah is a lovely person, the rooms are very clean and made with a colorful and good-vibes style .and the chickens outside are adorable :) will surely come back again! if you love reading you will allso love the HUGE collection of books in the meditation room..
--Elizabeth, from Israel, May 2016
I loved staying in the meditation room. Deborah was very helpful in getting me settled, and the house is so nice. It was great to have an international house (there were other guests from Germany, France, chile and Switzerland). The house is in walking distance to Berkeley and Bart, and the running trails in Berkeley are phenomenal. I'd highly recommend this location!
---Michaela, from Half Moon Bay, California, May 2016
I loved staying at the Hobbit House. Deborah is such a wonderful host and made me feel very much at home. The garden, the chickens, the space, the book collections, all of it, was such a warm and inviting environment. This is one of those places that feels like you've walking into a fairytale.
--Kathleen, from Hawaii, April 2016
You couldnt ask for a more quintessential Berkeley experience than staying in this house, in this neighborhood. Ideal, lovely, perfect. I would happily retreat here for a month or two. Convenient, amazing room, spotless and gorgeous house. Deborah was helpful and responsive. Fabulous place for a solo traveler.
--Anke, from Lebanon, April 2016
Grand chambre agréable dans une maison propre et calme. Bien située près du Bart pour aller à SF. Je recommende.
Mathilde, from Montreal Canada, March 2016
Wonderful, warm and colorful place to stay or even live for a while. This was my third time at Deborah's and I'll continue coming back when I'm in East Bay or San Francisco (since the commute to the city is so easy from her house via BART which is ultra close by). The rooms, bed, etc, etc, are super comfy, very clean and tidy. Really, just a lovely home.
--Jason, from San Francisco, January 2016
I stayed for 4 weeks in the "Cozy Colorful Nook" at Deborah places. It is a peaceful and very likeable room. Deborah is a great host! Whenever there was a question, she helped within minutes. Overall, I had a great time and I will definitely come back when I will be in Berkeley the next time.
--Frederick, from Germany, December 2015
Ich habe die Zeit in Deborahs Haus genossen, das Zimmer war sehr hell und gemuetlich, das Haus sehr ruhig! Die Umgebung ist sehr schoen, man ist schnell am Campus dr Uni, aber ebenso schnell in Oakland, wo es sich gut ausgehen laesst. Ich habe mich nie unsicher gefuehlt und mich sehr schnell zu Hause gefuehlt.
--Nadja, from Berlin, Germany, December 2015
The Magical Hobbit House was a charming and very comfortable and tranquil retreat. So near BART, in a safe neighborhood, secure, with lots of surrounding amenities. I loved the backyard chickens, quail and rabbit! Deborah was an accommodating and helpful host. I would love staying there again!
--Richard, from Phoenix Arizona, December 2015
I really really enjoyed my stay at the magical hobbit house. The house is located buried in trees and a secret garden with water fountain and hens. It gets an amazing amount of sunlight and shade at the same time. I felt transported to somewhere other than the bustling life of the bay area. Deborah was wonderful too. She even shared her precious fresh hen eggs with me, which was an extra treat! Im not sure how she does it, the house, property and all who inhabit it are cared for immensely. I highly recommend you stay here, this place especially, and for a loooong visit.
--Steph, from California, November 2015
Deborah's home was the best! It's a short convenient walk from campus, Berkeley Bowl as well as really good restaurants. My favorite thing about my stay was how Deborah had her system down to a tee. Everything was very clean, and organized. I look forward to staying there again should I need another place to stay in the area. The other guests were amicable and easy to get along with. Although our interaction was short, Deborah was easy to speak to and get in touch with. Just has a few simple rules to keep in mind but they were a breeze. She also was kind enough to share fresh eggs from her chicken coop set up at the back and I loved that!
--Margaret, from California, October 2015
最寄り駅から歩いて7分程度、とても買い物にも便利でしかも住宅街の閑静な場所にありました。車なしの生活でも可能な、米国の都市でも珍しい環境です。女主人(Deborahさん)の物静かで落ち着いた語り口と多数の書棚の本からは奥深い知性と教養を感じ取りました。願わくばもっと人生についてゆっくりと語り合うだけの英語力が自分にあればと残念でした。部屋にあったデスクと電気スタンドがとても重宝で、パソコン操作と手紙書きに役立ちました。
-- Tomohiro, from Ohio, June 2015
Meditation Room es una habitación muy comoda y acogedora. Amplia y agradable. Necesitaba un espacio apropiado para trabajar, y descansar, y lo encontré. El barrio esta bien, seguro y tranquilo. Cerca de la casa esta "La Peña", un centro latino en el que me trataron de maravilla. Comida mexicana de la buena. Muy recomendable.
--Amalio, from La Cala del Moral, Spain, June 2015
Se dovessi immaginare la mia stanza ideale sarebbe la Meditation Room. La parete esterna e' costituita da tre grandi finestre che rendono la stanza davvero molto luminosa(Amo la loro particolare forma..tipica delle case americane! )La stanza e' arredata davvero bene: ci sono molti libri e il pavimento e' completamente ricoperto da bellissimi tappeti. Il quartiere e' molto tranquillo e silenzioso. In pochi minuti si puo' raggiungere il bart o si puo' fare una passeggiata di circa 30 min per arrivare nel centro di Berkeley.
--Sara, from Florence, Italy, April 2015
Deborah is a most wonderful host. She is very professional and reasonable, and at the same time kind and friendly. Her hospitality and her home make you feel like you are right back in your own. Everything a very clean and organized, and the location is perfect. The atmosphere in the space is relaxing, even as you walk up to it from the street. I would reccommend this spot to anyone travelling to Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, and beyond.
--Brendan, from Sudbury, Canada, March 2015
I had an absolutely wonderful experience staying at Deborah's guest house. A concerted effort is made to create a peaceful sanctuary where guests feel comfortable. I certainly felt that, and it was very much appreciated. You have everything you need in this guest house, very comfortable and well appointed rooms, great bathrooms, full kitchens and laundry. Plenty of space to store your food items, luggage etc...And it must be noted that Deborah is committed to ensuring that your stay is comfortable and satisfactory. She is most attentive and accommodating if the situation requires it. Also, I am very grateful to have met so many interesting people staying in the guest house, from many different countries and I learned so much from them. So, obviously, I am a huge fan of this Airbnb listing and all it offers. And, on top of everything else, the location in Berkeley is absolutely superb. You are literally a block and half from Bart for public transportation, 8 minute walk to the Berkeley Bowl OR Whole Foods, and a 2 minute walk from the famous Starry Plough Pub which has super awesome eclectic live music and is serving up some of the most creative and tasty farm to table food that I have ever had. For my money, this location cannot be beat. I can't imagine a better deal on Airbnb in the East bay area. Thank you Deborah!!!
--Brian, from Los Angeles, California, March 2015
I very much enjoyed my stay at Deborah's house. It was a quiet, very well located place to stay at during my research visit. The Kaleidoscopic Victorian room is gorgeous (the best in the house, from my point of view, and even better than on the pictures), it's airy, sunny (some of the other rooms are located on the ground floor and receive less light, just in case this is very important for you), spacious, very calm. The house rules are strictly followed and I found this to be a good thing - if you consider booking, please take them seriously. The location is perfect, just 5 minutes walking distance from Ashby BART (no, this is NOT a dangerous neighbourhood) and a few minutes from Berkeley Bowl, the best supermarket I have seen in the US so far, with lots of fresh produce. The neighbourhood is residential, with a couple of small cafés, and a 30 minutes walk (or 15 minutes bike ride or 5 minutes BART ride) brings you to UC Berkeley. The house itself is extremely calm and you can come and go when you want (respecting the quiet of others if it gets late of course) and have full privacy. If you have never stayed at an AirBnB: Please note that the cleanliness will always also depend on the others living on the same floor - common areas are cleaned once a week by Deborah, in between the maximum 4 people sharing the kitchen and bathroom on the floor need to do their part, which is commonsense (and works very well most of the time). Being able to rent the bike during my stay was great. Deborah provides unscented detergent etc., so don't worry about buying special fragrance-free products before coming here. All in all, Deborah's place is ideal for those seeking a calm environment to study, read, write, and relax from an exciting day in San Francisco or the East Bay. I would stay there again without hesitation.
--Karoline, from Berlin, Germany, April 2015
The Hobbit House was absolutely dreamy! It has a wonderful layout with comfortable touches like lighting anywhere it made sense to sit and read, and even a garlic press in the kitchen. Deborah met me on arrival and helped me settle in, and even gave me a tour of the animals in the garden. The neighborhood is safe and I was excited to find that I was staying around the corner from the Long Haul Infoshop. Checking out was a breeze, and Deborah even came to chat with me before I left. I would definitely stay here again.
--Jennifer, from Riverside, California, February 2015
Me sentí muy bien en la casa de Deborah. Me hospedé en Meditation Room, la cual es muy tranquila, tiene buena ventilación, buena iluminación y una fantástica colección de libros. La casa es bastante cómoda, lo mejor es el silencio que se siente en la casa durante todo el día. Fue un lugar muy apropiado para mi, las condiciones de la casa, la cercanía al Bart y a las calles Shattuck y Telegraph, que son de las más importantes en la zona, con buenos restaurantes y cafés. Deborah, por su parte, es una persona agradable y muy amable.
--Dimaro, from Medellin, Columbia, August 2014
The house has an old world boarding house feel, which I enjoyed. Deborah was welcoming and responded quickly to my inquiries about the house. The room is a good size and sunny. There are so many good books I could have stayed in there for a week. I recommend, as Deborah does, that you read all the house rules to make sure it's a good fit for the type of visit you want to have. The focus is on a quiet retreat like atmosphere, which is what I was looking for and so really enjoyed it, and here are other times when I'm in the Bay Area that I want to be more social, maybe have a friend over for tea. So make sure your intention is a good fit so it works for everyone. The neighborhood is a good location, easy access to much in the East Bay, and felt pretty safe. I would stay there again.
--Tracy, from Joshua Tree, California, July 2014
The Magical Hobbit House was exactly as pictured, and utterly delightful. I felt like I was in my own little haven - a wonderful retreat tucked away in a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I had everything I needed in a most charming setting. Deborah made it easy to check in and check out, and although I didn't see her during my week-long stay, I felt that she was available for anything I might need.
--Gail, from California, July 2014
I absolutely loved my stay at Deborah's magical home. I have stayed at AirBnb's before, but there was something truly special about the warm, retreat-like environment here. The home is quite large and tranquil, so you do not feel cramped or too close for comfort with the other guests in anyway. Every detail of the house and garden has an artistic, decorative touch. It's almost straight out of a fairytale picture book - very unique and charming indeed. Deborah was a wonderful host, and I enjoyed chatting with her about our many overlapping interests. Her energy was very warm, light, friendly and she made me feel right at home. I was so impressed with my entire stay, from how promptly and thoroughly Deborah answered any questions I had, to the little special touches like plums and quail eggs from her backyard available in the refrigerator. You can tell that she has a lot of experience in hosting, as she was very organized as well. It made for a very smooth stay. There is a bulletin board in the kitchen with helpful information for guests (parking map, wifi information, etc). As for the neighborhood, I felt very safe on her tree-lined street, it is close to BART and a bus stop, street parking was always easily available, and there are many walkable cafes and shops. I hope to stay again soon!
--Joanna, from Long Beach, California, June 2014
Deborah's home is just exactly as she describes, very charming old Victorian house. If you love old houses like me, you will appreciate, spacious rooms, tall ceilings, large windows everywhere, big kitchen and the back yard. Deborah was very kind, communicative, prompt, accurate and patient with my schedule changes. She accepted my request at last minute, and when I needed to stay longer, allow me extend my stay at the Kaleidoscopic room, then offered me extra 2 nights at Meditation room. I would love to come back to Meditation room for longer stay next time. The collection of books she has is quite amazing , many many interesting books. I had a very nice stay and relaxing time, other guests were very nice and respectful. Car parking was fine and easy, just remember the time restriction, find right place and right time to park. always found a spot on her street or around the corner. If you are looking for walkable convenience to almost everything, peaceful and independent place, Highly recommend! Thank you, Deborah. My transition from Japan to US, then CA to WY was challenging but you made it very possible for me.
--Maki, from Tokyo Japan, June 2014
The Magical Hobbit House is a very quiet attractive little heaven. I went to sleep there while looking for my new apartment. This was the ideal place. Very close to the BART, Very safe neighbourhood and the instruction were very clear as how to get the key. I ended up finding an apartment very early on in the city. But I came back to sleep in the hobbit house because it was so quiet and it made me feel like I was in a holiday. This is the ideal spot (like a chalet in a city). Your own toilet and you own mini-kitchen with all appliances. I have never experience such comfort in a AirB&B before!
--Gabriel, from Canada, May 2014
I spent 4 months living here, and it was absolutely great. Deborah is first and foremost very professional; her check-in, check-out procedures are very straightforward and easy, and all the house rules are clear. The room I stayed in was spacious and clean. The house was very quiet, and the neighborhood was quiet as well. The best part was its proximity to the Ashby BART station, as well as several cafes. Deborah provides a bike shed (and rentable bikes!) for this who want to get around the city without paying for bus/subway -- I found this extremely helpful. The next time I'm in the Bay Area, I'll stay here again in a heartbeat.
--Henry, from Boston, Massachusetts, May 2014
I had a very enjoyable month staying in the Meditation Room. Both the room, and the house were quiet and clean. Deborah was a kind and accommodating host, and the house somehow manages to be both peaceful AND conveniently located. Best of all, the whole place is expertly organized, and includes several layers more planning than I would have expected. I found this to be extremely helpful as I pursued an enjoyable, efficient, and productive stay. If I ever come back to the area I will definitely look to stay here again!
--Matthew, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 2014
I stayed at Deborah's house for six weeks, and it was a very pleasant experience. The room is comfortable and I enjoyed having access to the large kitchen and being able to use the bicycle during my stay. Even at times when the house was at full occupancy it was always quiet and never crowded. The location of the house near the BART station is a huge advantage for anyone who wants to get around quickly to SF and downtown Oakland.
--Edden, from Jerusalem, Israel, February 2014
Deborah's home is absolutely perfect for a short-term or longer stay, especially if you're a student/prof/contemplative who needs a calm and quiet place. I stayed for three weeks and loved it. Deborah is exceptionally nice and provides all the comforts and area-info you could possibly need. The immediate area itself has nice cafes and very easy commuting to San Francisco (which I did almost daily) via the nearby BART stop. Nice neighborhood for walking around too. This is a top choice; I'll come back.
--Jason, from California, February 2014
I cannot imagine a better place to have stayed during my first visit to the Bay Area. This sweet and efficient little house was quiet, comfortable and convenient - walking distance to most attractions. Deborah's house rules make for a sense of real safety and even, as she says, "retreat." I loved the sound of the chickens and quail outside my window, and I was able to have fresh lemon in my water pitcher, from one of the little trees in the garden! The location is pleasant, with good bike and foot traffic, and friendly neighbors who stopped to chat. The little kitchen and half-bath were clean and well-equipped. The bed was wonderful; I actually slept better than I do at home! There's a comfortable chair for sitting and a well-lit desk for work. The wireless connection was not lightning speed, but it was as good as my own residential access. There was a lock on the gate to the yard and a separate lock to the house - I felt secure. Deborah is a perfect host: she maintains enough distance to allow solitude, but she replies almost immediately to messages. There are mindful details everywhere in the house: invitations to slow down and notice the present moment. That was just what I needed during my short stay. I found myself looking forward to returning to the Hobbit House in the evenings with the same sense of "home" I have at my own place in Massachusetts. This is where I will stay whenever I return to California. The surroundings are all easily reached by car, bike, foot or BART. The price is right. The ambiance is charming, homey and thoughtful. The amenities (no TV!) and rules seem to bring in a quiet and respectful group of sojourners to the other rooms. Many thanks, Deborah, for hosting an environment where a cross-country voyage can culminate in a sense of refuge.
--Susan, from Boston, Massachusetts, November 2013
The Magical Hobbit House is peaceful, private, and very well decorated. It has sky lights and lots of windows so you almost feel like you are outside in a way, but still in a cozy little house! There are cute squirrels that scurry across the roof sometimes. I stayed in the main house for a few weeks and then was able to stay out here. The rooms in the house are also wonderful, but I loved the Hobbit House the most! In here you have a larger bed, your own half bathroom and little kitchen area and fridge all to yourself. The residents and other guests are respectful and friendly, but give each other space and privacy. I loved staying here. If you want a lot of time to yourself for studying or reading and/or love nature, this place is ideal. Oh, and the close proximity to BART is very helpful.
--Fig, from California, October 2013
Deborah's house is clean, big and cozy. I think this place is even better and bigger than the pictures on Airbnb. Deborah is really nice and always asks me anything what I need. I think location is pretty safe and close to BART station also close to grocery stores and restaurants. I love this place and strongly recommend here!
--Byungmook, from South Korea, October 2013
Deborah was a warm, welcoming and amazing host with an incredible home full of magic and wonder. Every one of her rooms is absolutely unique and charming. I've never stayed anywhere away from home more peaceful in my life! Don't hestiate to stay with Deborah and experience the peace and joy of her beautiful space!
--Chris, from Johannesburg, South Africa, October 2013
My stay at Deborah's place was very restful. It felt like a home away from home because of the quiet, peaceful, tranquil environment she maintained in her household. I would recommend this as a place to stay free of a lot of drama and partying. The rules of living together that Deborah devised attracted people who were quiet, studious, and considerate of other people staying there. This was very helpful to me, to come back after a stressful day of dealing with the urban environment and have a quiet restful place to study and sleep. The room I was in was beautiful-the whole house was beautiful and pleasing to the eye. Deborah was available if we had questions, and was very friendly yet. she was also respectful of the privacy of her guests. I'm planning to stay there again this fall.
--Jeffrey, from Silver City, New Mexico, September 2013
I had a fabulous one-week stay while attending a conference near the university at Deborah’s beautiful well-cared-for old Victorian home with happy residents. Even with several people sharing the property I enjoyed being on my own and as an introvert not being obligated into constant conversations. My room was spacious, tranquil, restful, and I loved the morning sun flooding in the huge bay windows that overlooked her fountain in the front yard with the leafy trees and shrubs. My parked car was safe on the street and Deborah gave clear instructions on how to find all-day parking versus two-hour parking. I had last minute delays which Deborah handled comfortably and efficiently and she was always just a few rings away by phone if I didn’t see her in the house with any questions I had. Having access to a full kitchen made it easy for nutritious meals, packing lunches, reheating left-overs, and convenient snacks. Washer and dryer were very helpful and I liked having more than one bathroom and shower for the guests. Deborah’s place is a 20-25 minute walk or an easy BART ride away from the Gourmet Ghetto and Rockridge in the opposite direction; both areas are full of restaurants, small businesses, and art. She offered delicious plums from her plum tree and eggs from her quail and chickens. There are fun places around the corner too, like the Starry Plough Irish pub with Irish dancing and poetry slams, numerous neighborly coffee houses, and grocery stores with organic produce and hot meals. Loved my stay, thank you.
--Ann, from Oceanside, California, July 2013
I had one of my most restful nights of sleep in the Meditation Room. Quite amazing considering I had a job interview scheduled the next day. The street is quiet and the house is peaceful. Access to the BART is very easy and Berkeley's best attractions are a short walk away.
--Bruce, from Boulder, Colorado, May 2013
I had a very nice time at Deborah's place! What I appreciated most was the beauty of her house and the very quiet and relaxing atmosphere. The kitchen is amazing: very big, fully equipped, decorated with very bright colors. My room was also cozy and comfortable, and very bright: the perfect place to concentrate on work or just relax. The backyard is a colorful mix of flowers and cute chickens and rabbits very "well educated" as they were very quiet. Also the location of the house is strategic because it's 2 minutes walking distance from Ashby Bart station and 15/20 to UCB campus. So, I strongly suggest to spend your time here!
--Marina, from Ponte, Italy, April 2013
This is a great place. The room is cozy, the bed is comfortable, fresh air and sunlight and quiet, the only sound you hear is a clucking chicken and that's a good sound to relax to. The house is well-situated too, a block from Bart and bus lines and a short walk to Downtown Berkeley and the Elmwood and Rockridge neighborhoods, the finest neighborhoods in the East Bay. Deborah is a fine host too, attentive and courteous and respectful and she screens her guests well, you will meet some interesting travelers. Definitely stay here.
--Gonzalo, from California, March 2013