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(August 2010 - Victorian Suite, see same at http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13644) (Victorian Flat - see this same review at http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24113). We are a family of 4 adults and we stayed 7 nights. We came for a holiday in the US, part of which was in San Francisco. We had a fabulous time. In large part this was because of our excellent and good value accommodation. After a long day of walks, sight seeing and taking in the cultural differences between SF and the US and our country, we came home to a beautiful place in which to relax and 'be family'. We have just read the review by "Maryellen M" and agree with everything written by her (except that there was no problem with the oven, which awaited repair and we found the combination of gas cook top, microwave and toaster oven more than adequate for our purposes). The Bakkers are so helpful and thoughtful; the flat is terrific and in a wonderful location. Highly recommended. (Victorian Flat - see this same review at http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24113). We stayed in Hank and Loretta Bakker’s Victorian flat in San Francisco for 15 days in June/July 2010. The accommodations were beautiful, comfortable and very thoughtfully provisioned. For example, the kitchen not only had a generous selection of pots and pans, serving dishes, and tableware but also such niceties as a wine opener, cheese grater, variegated peppercorns in a peppermill, etc. The only problem that occurred during our visit – a dysfunctional oven – was addressed the same day with a newly purchased toaster oven. Such prompt response to the inevitable problems that occur in any property really impressed us. The Bakkers were excellent hosts – they provided the right amount of guidance in use of the apartment, resources for touring, and information about special events such as the Fillmore Jazz festival without being intrusive. The flat is close to many restaurants, a gourmet grocery, boutique shopping, and several bus lines. We toured extensively throughout San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands, north to the Napa Valley and east to Berkeley, all by local transportation starting from bus stops within two blocks of the flat and connecting to other buses, Bay Area Rapid Transit, or ferry service. We can hardly wait to return. Rating – unquestionably 5 stars. (Victorian Suite) Made it back to Omaha ,just a little tired from the long train trip. Thanks again for the wonderful apartment, with its great location. The weather was beautiful and the only disappointment was the poor showing by the Giants.
Already looking forward to my next trip to the City.
Thanks, (Victorian Suite) Thank you again for the wonderful stay in your apartment. You made our time in San Francisco so enjoyable! (Garden apartment) We had everything we needed for a comfortable stay and the outlook onto the beautiful little garden oasis was very restful. Your location couldn't be better - so close to the Fillmore St restaurants and the excellent bus service. Thank you for the opportunity to stay in your lovely garden apartment! (Garden Apartment-You can see this same review at http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24114) 5 stars! We stayed in the Garden Apartment with a teenage daughter who loved it. (Believe me, that is a big deal!) It is a great neighborhood, and we walked a lot although the bus was nearby. Taxis from downtown (easily hailed) were about $10, which for three of us was very reasonable. We also rented a car on two separate days from City Rent-a-car, which worked out very well, as it was an easy walk down Bush, just past Van Ness. We were able to get parking fairly nearby on both occasions. One was to do Muir Woods... recommended! You can also get a bus tour there. Hank and Loretta were gracious hosts, there to greet us, and if we needed anything, but never hovering! We recommend them, and would go back again! (Garden Apartment) Very good apartment, fully equiped and comfortable. The location in particular one block from Fillmore St, is fantastic. Would recommend and will stay again on the next visit to SF. (Victorian Suite) The most enjoyable aspect was the feeling of staying in a home and not another bland hotel. The Fillmore area is wonderful and far more interesting, from my point of view, than downtown. Public transport is good and gets you everywhere pretty quickly. I was happy to find that the Victorian Suite was not only very clean but well maintained and organized, with virtually everything I needed. Highly recommended for a taste of real, neighborhood San Francisco. (Victorian Flat)
Thank you very much for the refund. We greatly enjoyed our stay in San Francisco and really appreciated the apartment and the effort you have put into it. There were a number of personal touches that really enhanced the stay for us and our children.
Regards, (Garden Apartment) Our wonderful holiday was made all the more special by staying in your fantastic Garden Apartment. Perfect size for us, very comfortable and well appointed, but the large range of local restaurants meant we hardly used the kitchen. The gorgeous wee garden is a beautiful place to enjoy a chilled drink after a hard day's sightseeing. The location was perfect for visiting so many of the fascinating neighbourhoods in SF. With wonderful hosts, great local shops and all the charm of traditional SF living, you really can't go wrong! We hope to be back before too long... (Victorian Flat) We stayed for almost 3 weeks at end of sept in the Victoria Flat, whilst visiting family.The flat was large and very comfortable, really home away from home. Hank and Loretta's attention to detail was just amazing.
Area is excellent, lovely houses, very quiet and just a short stroll from Fillmore St with great shopping and restaurants.
We have no hesitation in recommending this beautiful property.
Deposit refund was so prompt, we received it the day after we arrived home. We look forward to our next visit in 2010. (Victorian Suite) Recently I stayed for a week in the Victorian Suite and found it to be clean, sunny and airy. I enjoyed the variety of artwork and objects d'art. Webster Street is a gentle, quiet street and nearby Fillmore street a convenient street for shopping and dining.
It was a lovely stay and a refreshing experience for someone who comes from a crowded and noisy environment. (Victorian Flat) We, 2 adults and 2 kids ages 7 & 11, have recently spent a couple of weeks in the Victorian Flat. This was our second stay in Hank and Loretta's apartments. Both times we were constantly amazed at their attention to detail! Their apartments have everything you need (and even more) for a perfect stay in this wonderful city. It's the closest you can get to actually living there. Thanks Hank & Loretta! We'll definitely see you the next time we're in SF! (Victorian Suite) We found Hank and Loretta very easy to do business with. They are helpful and friendly, and they know their city!!! The apartment was very clean and "homey". It gave us an excellent base to do our thing in SF. Many thanks. (Victorian Flat) We had 2 very pleasant weeks in San Francisco, thanks to Hank and Loretta and their beautiful apartment. The Victorian Flat was large, bright, comfortable and quiet. Tastefully decorated and well equipped (especially the kitchen was that way in contrast to many vacation rentals where the kitchen is minimally outfitted.) All for a reasonable price and a bonus of some warm weather. The area is particularly pleasant, with beautiful Victorian houses, many shops and excellent supermarkets. Public transportation was very convenient to go about the city. We felt really at home, it's a house where we could live! Signed: Three Parisians and a Quebecois. (Garden Apartment) I had a wonderful stay in the Garden Apartment. It’s perfectly located with shops and restaurants just a few steps away. Hank and Loretta were gracious and available to answer any questions I may have had, but everything was so well organized and clear that I couldn’t think of one! The apartment was clean and very well outfitted. And my deposit refund was so prompt that it beat me home!! (Victorian Flat) "My parents came to visit me for a week and stayed in the Victorian Flat. The apartment offered them the comfort of home away from home, which they very much appreciated. It is very nicely decorated and conveniently located. It made their trip much more enjoyable than if they had stayed at a hotel for their visit. They had many good things to say about the Victorian Flat. Paying for the apartment was easy and I received my deposit back very quickly." (Victorian Suite) I greatly enjoyed (as I know my nephew and friend did too!) my extended visit to your nice abode and beautiful city. I don't suppose any subsequent visit will leave quite the impact of the first, but I do intend returning at some stage. San Francisco is a beautiful city: not just visually breathtaking but the tolerance, affability, courtesy and generally "laid-back" character are very memorable. (Victorian Flat - 1 month) Message left upon departure: "Dear Loretta and Hank, Thank you for a wonderful time in your beautiful Victorian apartment. It became our home for a month. We also very much enjoyed meeting the two of you. We wish you all the best and would love to see you one day in Switzerland." (Garden apartment) Thanks, Hank, for the prompt refund. My parents had a wonderful time and already are planning a next stay at the apartment. (Victorian Suite - 6 weeks stay) Grace and I hugely enjoyed our stay with you, so thank you very much for your warm hospitality. The three-room-suite was beautifully furnished, peaceful and comfortable and ideally located in a convenient and vibrant neighbourhood. I would chose to rent from Hank and Loretta every time I visit San Francisco. (Victorian Flat)
I really appreciated your prompt return of the security deposit.
My family of five had a wonderful time staying in the Victorian Flat. The apartment is beautiful and Hank and Loretta are great hosts. We especially appreciated the small notes they had in place around the apartment to help acclimate you to your new surroundings (i.e. how to turn on the vent hood, etc.). It was great after a day of sightseeing to come back, relax for awhile with plenty of space for everybody, and have the option to eat in (or go out to one of the many dining options on Fillmore St.). The neighborhood is great, and we found the bus lines convenient and easy to use to explore the city. At the end of our trip, all three kids picked the apartment in their “Top 5” favorite things of the trip. (Garden Apartment)
Thank you for the prompt refund of our deposit. The apartment was great, good location about 2 miles from Union Square and 1 block from FillmoreStreet where there are plenty of shops and cafes. Beds are big and comfy, with plenty of information on San Francisco also supplied. Recommended to couples or any groups staying more than a week in San Francisco. Hank was great at facilitating us, and I would thoroughly recommend it. (Victorian Suite) My parents recently rented the 3-room suite during their visit from Tel-Aviv Israel. They enjoyed the experience from the time of booking through prompt re-payment of the security deposit. In particular, they were very pleased with the bright & clean rooms, central location and independence the suite offered them while visiting the city. I would whole-heartedly recommend Hank’s place to responsible travelers looking for a ‘home away from home’. (Garden Apartment) I had a fantastic time in SF, made all the more pleasurable by the fact that all the details on your website about the Garden Apartment were so accurate and true! The apartment itself is very well equipped, no faults there. The bed was one of the most comfortable I've slept on, and Webster is such a quiet street, really couldn't have asked for more. Its location is in a beautiful neighbourhood, and as I was traveling alone, I felt more than safe making my way home to it at any time. The Filmore area has everything you'd need, from quaint little shops to fabulous little restaurants.(Curbside Cafe was my favourite little find) It's also very well served by bus, to connect you to both downtown, or on out to the beach. SF is a fabulous city, one which I'd love to come back and visit again, and if I do..I would hope to be able to stay in your beautiful garden apartment. And indeed would highly recommend it to any of my friends.
Many thanks..and kindest regards from Dublin.
Hope to meet you and Loretta again in the future. (Victorian Flat + Three Room Suite) Dear Hank, While I am typing on the Iphone I'll just say that we had a great time in SF and especially liked the flat + suite arrangement. We are now at Tahoe and get to sleep in a bit! The kids really enjoyed the train ride through the mountains - and so did I.
Best Wishes, (Garden apartment) Hendrik, thank you for the prompt refund of our deposit, and thank you for your apartment. We had a good return trip to Lyon and we enjoyed our stay in San Francisco. Your apartment was exactly what I expected and what we needed; it is very pleasant, well equipped and comfortable. With 2 bedrooms (very quiet with very comfortable beds), a well sized bathroom, a very well equipped kitchen and a large living room, this apartment was a very good base for our 10 days stay in SF. The location is on Webster between California and Pine streets, in a very quiet area not too far from downtown and the Marina. For a future stay in SF, if we are 4, we'll come back to this place.
Best regards and long life for you. (Victorian Flat) On our holidays, we have (almost) always avoided hotels in favor of apartments/houses in Europe (France, Spain, Austria etc.), so we could say that we have very good experience (over 20 years) when it comes to this kind of lodging. We have to confess, that this apartment is one of the very best we ever had. First of all the location is excellent; shops and restaurants are in few minutes walking distances. Secondly, bus connections are very good and practical/effective to go wherever you want in S.F. Thirdly, it is located in very quiet and safe district. The apartment is very well equipped, in fact you have everything what you need (it is like being at home). Also, all the practical instructions (where to go in S.F., maps, books etc.) are already in the apartment and that really helps you when it is your first visit in S.F . Kitchen is in perfect condition as well as bathroom. All in all we warmly recommend this apartment to everybody who will visit S.F. (Garden Apartment) We very much enjoyed our stay in the Garden apartment. It had everything we needed, even a pair scissors! We appreciated the touches that made it more like "home" and it was an oasis to us when we returned every night. We look forward to a return visit. (Victorian Suite) Dear Hank and Loretta,
Thank you for returning the deposit so promptly.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in your 3-room suite.
The location is so central that we walked to
Japantown, Nob Hill, Union Square, Chinatown and all
the way to Mission Bay!!!
If we had more time, we would have walked in the other
direction towards the Marina and the Presidio. We
definitely look forward to returning to one of your
apartments for our next visit to SF. Thank you again
and Happy Holidays! (Victorian Suite) We recently spent a wonderful month in San Francisco, staying in the Bakker's three room apartment. Having your own apartment where you can come and go whenever you want and make your own food was so nice after travelling across the USA and staying in one boring hotel after another.
Hank and Loretta are fantastic hosts - warm, helpful, responsive, and attentive to detail - and their flat is as immaculate as it is cozy. Plus, they are perfectly located in the center of San Francisco, which makes access to all of the major sites about as easy as it can get. I hope to return to San Francisco soon and, when I do, I hope that they will again have an opening. Don't hesitate to book a room with this wonderful couple!
Jonathan P., Virginia, US
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Lauren H. and family, Australia
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Maryellen M., Missouri, US.
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Larry & Charlie, Nebraska, US.
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Kathy and Jesse - Nevada, US.
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Catherine and family from Australia
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(All 3 units combined for one large family) The arrangements were perfect for an extended visit to the city, allowing for a comfortable place to rest, and the ability to have lovely meals at home. The kitchens were well equipped for cooking and entertaining. All apartments are very attractively decorated, highlighting the classic San Francisco Victorian architecture. The location is very convenient, at the intersection of many bus lines, and in a neighborhood with lots of amenities. There were also parks close that we enjoyed with our daughter. I'm looking for an excuse to come again! Really, I do hope we have an opportunity to rent your flats again. It was a wonderful visit.
Victoria S. and family-Washington DC, US
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Bell family - Virginia, US
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Mike, Mary and Catherine from New Zealand
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Sam B., China-UK
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Miles and Andi W., Australia
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Karen, Colin and Rory,
Edinburgh, Scotland.
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Fitzsimmons. Northern Ireland
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Teruo Fujieda, Tokyo, Japan
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Nurit M., Israel
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Mary and Tim H., Canada
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Dominique A. and family, Paris, France
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Mary K – New Hampshire, US.
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Alice B. for her parents from Georgia, US.
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David Grant-Ireland
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Then this was added in a later email:"Thank you very much for your hospitality, the great conversations and the beautiful apartment! Our stay at your place was an unforgettable experience, not only for Nicole and me but also for our two boys. We’re convinced that this was not the last time we went to San Francisco and are looking for any possibility to come back! With best regards from the small country with great tennis players…"
The Meier family-Switzerland
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Mark B. in SF for his parents from South Africa.
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Sebastian, London, UK
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Casey Family, Boston, Massachusets, US
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Liam, Northern Ireland
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Yariv for his parents from Israel
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Yvonne, Ireland
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Wolf and family, Texas, US
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Jean-Pierre B., France
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Virtanen family, Luxembourg
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Karen and Tom E., California, US
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SW and KC, New York and California, US
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San Francisco is a truly beautiful city with great weather, friendly people, amazing shops and so much to do that a month didn't feel like enough!
Pacific Heights is an amazing residential part of the city and a great way to experience how fantastic life in San Francisco can be. The house is just round the corner from Fillmore street where all the trendy San Franciscans go to shop, eat, drink and socialise. You'll find fine restaurants, bars, coffee shops, traditional American diners and boutique shops - everything you need.
Within two minutes you can walk to two great parks which overlook the city. You're a fifteen minute walk from the beautiful Alamo Square - San Francisco's postcard row - half an hour's walk down to the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge or just round the corner from a cheap, regular bus service which takes you downtown in minutes.
The apartment itself is perfect for a short or extended stay. It is in a quiet section of one of San Francisco's beautiful old buildings - quite a few mornings we went out for the day and found random tourists taking photos of the house! The living room is absolutely gorgeous with a comfortable sofa, great tv channels, beautiful period features like delicate picture rails and coving and a wonderful old fireplace. The lovely big bay window looks out onto a courtyard garden which still had flowers in November that attracted beautiful little humming birds to hover by the window.
The Bakkers are lovely and friendly and give you lots of helpful information and tour guides to make your stay enjoyable. After a long road trip across 25 of the American States, we would have to say that this was our favourite place and we'll definitely be back!
Angela & Mark, UK.
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