Notes from the host
Serene Montclair Getaway In Oakland (Merriewood)
Some of our earliest guests dubbed our place "The Sanctuary", and we had to agree, it fit well. A truly special retreat-like setting. This is a very private cottage at street level with ample neighborhood parking. One enters through a private, sculpture filled courtyard. In the high ceilinged main room large windows look onto a red plum tree and hills in the distance. The super comfortable bed has down pillows and comforter and fine linens. A beautiful Travertine and plaster gas fireplace with a large Sculpture niche warms the room quickly and casts a romantic glow . Totally controllable lighting and top down- bottom up shades allow you to tailor the space to your exact needs . There is a built in desk and comfortable chair for working and a TV above it with cable, HBO, Showtime etc . There is a Bluetooth/CD player with a varied selection of cds Including my own home made cd of Indian bansuri music . Throughout the space there are thoughtful loving touches. The bathroom is unique and artistic with a large openable skylight. Though we are new to VRBO We have rented this space for more than ten years, and received many wonderful reviews which describe the place better than I ever could.
My favorite, from Annmarie and Vicky, December 31, 2018, " If I was a cat , I was purring the whole time. thank you for your creativity in bringing this space together."
From Thomas and Maya (NY),11 /27/20,
"Wow, wow, wow! We love it here and never want to leave. Thank you for sharing your sanctuary art and music with us. If we could capture the energy of this bnb and take some to go we would.""
From Britney and Chase,12 /29/2019 , "the second we opened the door, the place took our breath away. We couldn't ask for anything more to end 2019 to ring in the new year.
From Sonya and Craig, 8/26/2019,
"Thanks for putting so much love in every detail in your tree top sanctuary. It was a perfect home away from home for my birthday trip home to the Bay Area. The moment we entered the courtyard patio we knew we were in for a treat…… But when we entered the door of the room itself Wow!!!!! The stonework and mosaics are divine and you can feel the spirit within we will be back again."
From Allison and Aamir, New YorkNy,
"Thank you so much for this little piece of heaven nestled in Oakland this was the perfect spot for my birthday vacation the decor is amazing and so were our hostsTed and Stefanie".
From Nigel and Ani, "The most comfortable of beds and even more cozy fireplace- you two didn't miss a single beat with this place. Thanks so much."
From Janine, "Thank you for providing such a quiet peaceful place to spend the weekend. I felt calm as soon as I walked in and slept better than ever. I enjoyed the beautiful decor especially the Buddha above the fireplace."
On a similar similar note from Ashley and Brandon, "Thank you for being a part of making my birthday a special one. I told Brandon I wanted this birthday to be a relaxed one.I slept so well here Ted I fell asleep to the sound of your beautiful music the space was so lovely and clean we would surely love to come back.
I do not tire of these and could read them all day long.
Here's one from Samara and Clifton, 5/5/ 2018, "Our stay was absolutely amazing I couldn't complain,from the moment we walked in the room. We fell in love with the lighting ,detail of everything, space. The fireplace had to be one of my highlights,sitting next to the fire every night was relaxing. the neighborhood was so quiet and peaceful also the space is very clean. "
Another from Dave and Marisol,Redmond Oregon , 3/1818, "The sanctuary space is gorgeous and gave us such a sweet space for a deep reset of our projects and businesses . It's so gorgeous to wake up to the light dancing in the trees outside, and feel like we've been in the treehouse of Serenity and Space thank you so much! we are so grateful!"
Here's a favorite from Destiny and Quinton ,"Where do I start- this sanctuary was exactly what we needed when we needed it. We immediately felt the calm energy surround us and we were engulfed in it - this ""comfort zone" "allowed us to relax in full force. My boyfriend was amazed at the illusion of how spacious and cozy it was despite the outside size we will be back very soon,Ted you were amazing nothing short of a mere example of what hosts should follow.thank you for renting your Sanctuary to us it did not disappoint."
Cheryl and Sam add, "We love your hospitality the music, the decor, all the little details that deliver the soul of two loving homeowners -we are so grateful"
Kim and Bill back in 2016 said, "we enjoyed the inside of your cottage and the outside porch where we spent the early hours of the morning sipping tea and coffee listening to the birds and observing the amazing vegetation that surrounded us. it's like living in a treehouse every detail in the cottage from the walls,lighting,masonry,skylights and sheepskin rug was perfect and also comfortable. "
2015 from Candace and Mark, "wow we really enjoyed our stay here it was such a restful place. the birds and squirrels made me feel the peace and tranquility we much needed. Mark was so surprised as we were driving up and wondered where the hotel was he can't stop talking about how pleasant his weekend has been and how about beautiful the trees and surroundings are five stars.
Again in 2015, Marie and Kinsey said , " No words beautiful enough to express our gratitude for letting us stay in your beautiful home I will always remember the softness of this place. "
A favorite from Tom and Linda in 2015,
" Thank you so much for a perfect stay !!!!! Your place is halfway to heaven, especially with the beautiful statue of Ganga and the other artworks . Actually you have transformed the floors ,walls, countertops etc. into beautiful works of art like a villa in Tuscany. We felt a profound silence here and felt special just to be here. Oh I forgot the flute music is awesome we listened to it every day
April 2015, Jeff and Carol Wrote, "Thanks! What a lovely oasis you have created here . It was everything we hoped for and more. Your attention to detail and fine craftsmanship are admirable the fireplace, clocks, lighting, sheep skin feels elegant and homey all at once.
May 2015, John wrote,"Thanks for the beautiful flowers and the artistry of the lighting, the creativity and patience of the stonework and the mastery of space; not perfect and just right for comfort rest and reflection, re-creation. Namaste
Heidi who has a definite flair for the poetic wrote, in September 2014," A traveler sanctuary indeed! for we are all travelers going somewhere. We, the nomads of the world at some point need to stop, breathe, look inside at our own inner strength, that which supports us like a forest of ancient redwoods. Ted and stefanie have created such a Sanctuary infusing beauty with such a vital calm and peaceful oasis, thank you.
In 2013 August -Jim and Phyllis wrote, "Best pillows ever, comfy bed, love the toilet paper holder, beautiful stonework throughout, best bathroom clock ever, quiet and serene. "
As a fellow New Yorker I was pleased to see Joe and Beth, in 2012,writing " After coming from New York City area this place is paradise. It is so serene and peaceful we had a great time this place is perfect setting for a nice retreat. "
In October 2012 Ella and Michael penned, "This was a welcome retreat for us to return to at night… So beautiful Throughout peaceful and inviting . The bed was luxurious too. What a cozy and serene sanctuary "
Nancy and Steve wrote on August 26 of 2012: "it has made our first visit to Oakland and our grandson's birth city a lovely experience."
April 2012 Pat and Stan Said: "We have stayed here two times with you, and it makes us happy to come back to this unique and peaceful retreat. I look around and I'm amazed at such craftsmanship. The decorating adds to the beauty we are so relaxed and calm. "
A few days before that, Mia and Tom wrote:" Thank you for sharing who you are through the craftsmanship and decor of this lovely sanctuary it's blessed us, and we will share our experience with others who are looking for some much-needed respite
Adonius in 2011, our first year in operation, wrote , "thank you ,thank you,thank you,we loved the place and enjoyed our time getting to reconnect .we will be back and will tell everyone this is the 'go to place ' when visiting the Bay Area. The settings and privacy was perfect for romantic night and morning
Last ,but certainly not least - from our one guest who proposed to his wife at our place,
Blake and Dana in 2011, "Ted and Stefanie -thank you so much for making our special night so wonderful, and she said yes by the way. Thank you for such a wonderful night it couldn't have been more lovely,so serene and the homemade flute music was just beautiful."
Just one more written in lovely calligraphy, from Laurie and Dale, from Ohio and Florida respectively, "Thank you for providing peace and tranquility and comfort we loved your space. It was magical."
We look forward to sharing our magical, peaceful, comfortable space with you in the near future.