All of these amenities/features are provided to guests with NO extra fees
General House Overview:
Remodeling: Multiple upgrades and remodeling over the years, including an overall home remodel in 2006, 2019 and 2020 (bath and smaller bedroom) and a kitchen remodel in 2016. Many of these improvements have been highlighted in the “Updates” section of this web site.
Furnishing: None of the furniture in the house is made of particle board or plywood - all dining tables coffee tables, end tables, side tables are made of solid wood so are very sturdy and do not attract mildew. (furniture purchased from West Elm, Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel)
Comfort | Temperature | Heating: The house insulated in 2006 (with more added in 2019), and a high efficiency central forced air furnacewas installed in 2011; the furnace also has high filtration MERV 11 air filter which reduces particulates inside the house (and one can run the furnace system on circulate to simply filter the air without heating it); overall, this house maintains a more comfortable temperature more easily than many Berkeley houses.
Window Coverings: Decorative cloth accordion (cellular) blinds that function both top-down and bottom-up for maximum flexibility - provides privacy, but with lots of natural light - also all of the windows in the bedrooms have blackout roller shades which can be pulled down to minimize light while sleeping. [Blinds Guide (PDF)]
Water Heater: Efficient Water Heater (new in 2019).
Sustainability/Renewable Energy: The house is 100% renewable and carbon-free energy sourced from solar and wind power, generated here in California - through the EBCE Renewable 100 Program.
Summary of House High-End Features (mostly from 2019 remodel):
Overall Sleeping Options (also referenced below in the bedroom details):
One bedroom with a queen sized bed (for 2 persons): [photo] [mattress]
Another bedroom with twin sized wall bunk (for 2 persons) (where each bed can be folded up and down separately): [photo]
And in a pinch, if needed, someone could sleep on the sofa (only 1 “not very tall” person because the sofa does not fold out): [photo]
Main Living Area/Dining Area:
1 Gigabit Fiber High-Speed Internet connection - with both Wi-Fi Access and plug-in ethernet cable (can even connect to the wireless from the back yard). Actual real-life WiFi Internet speed is right around 500Mbps - can see speed test results on this blog entry
Phone with free unlimited calls to US telephone numbers - accepts incoming calls - voice mail
TV includes many internet features including no-extra charge Netflix subscription - and the Fire TV has other streaming apps (e.g., Amazon Prime) where you can enter your own login.
New ecological flooring installed in 2008 - all natural flooring made by Forbo - easy to clean - floor is soft underfoot (easier to stand on for long period of time) [Care (PDF)][Info (PDF)]
Kitchen table seating for 2 or 3 in kitchen - main dining table (seating for 5 or 6) is in the main room
Optional kid high chair available (on request) - this is a free standing highchair for the kitchen or dining area - probably suitable for a child 6 months or older, but depends on the size of the child.
General Bedroom Notes:
All sheets/linens are organic cotton.
All sheets (and towels are washed off-site in high temperature/steam “Allergy Reduction” washer cycle before each guest’s arrival - and then line-dried.
Fluffy comforters/duvets (with an organic cotton duvet/comforter cover)
All windows in both bedrooms (and the whole house) are double paned; these windows have “pull down and push up” honeycomb/cellular shades, as well as hidden “roll down” blackout shades.
larger Closet - hangers as well as a built-in organization unit (shelves and drawers)
3 windows
Queen size mattress - from European Sleep Works - all mattresses at the McGee house are replaced as per manufacturer recommendations (usually at least every 10 years)
Closet with door (includes some shelves as well as hangers)
Twin sized mattress on both the top and bottom bunk beds - one is a Serta memory foam mattress - other is a hybrid spring mattress - all mattresses at the McGee house are replaced as per manufacturer recommendations (usually at least every 10 years)
Bed is a Twin Bunk Murphy Wallbed so guests can optionally fold the bunk beds up and down as needed, thereby creating more space in the room if needed
I also offer guests an optional rolling / folding desk - possible to use it with both beds down - more spacious when used with the bottom bed folded up