This older but thoughtfully renovated home is tiled throughout, making it a good choice for guests with kids and dogs. We appreciated the host's flexibility in letting us bring both of our dogs. The fenced back yard was a bonus. Griselda's communication with us was excellent.
The house is located in a non-gentrified neighborhood in the shadow of Busch Gardens. The street has an interesting mixture of large dream homes overlooking the river and rundown homes with appliances in the front yard. But you can't pick your neighbors, and if visiting Busch Gardens is an aim for your trip, you couldn't pick a more convenient spot. It's quiet, too.
The beds are very comfortable. The back yard is full of gorgeous oaks with Spanish moss. But there's a small price for their beauty: They drop a lot of leaves and debris. We had to protect our food outside, and we vacuumed a couple times because the dogs tracked in debris on their paws.
Four things would bump this listing up to a 5-star property: an additional pan for the kitchen because it has a double oven and only one sheet pan; extras like trash bags and food wraps for the kitchen; a new futon cushion in the living area; and blinds or wider curtains on the windows in the common areas. There are sheers, but you can see straight into the kitchen from the street at night. As a woman for whom safety is a priority, I felt a little uneasy at first. The bedroom windows are sufficiently covered.
Overall, this was a nice place to stay.