Unchained–Air B and B

Our AirBnB cottage in New Port Richey Florida.
Our AirBnB cottage in New Port Richey Florida.

The first four nights of our Southern States Road trip have been what I fondly think of as “unchained”. Instead of picking a familiar chain motel,we went with alternatives.

We have used VRBO several times for multi-night stays, so it was not a great leap to try AirBnB. The only question was, would they have digs for people past the couch surfing stage. We really did not want to share a house or apartment.

It was reassuring when I went to their easy-to-use web site and found that was their first question. Their selections are not as numerous in the “whole house” category, but we found this tiny efficiency cottage (aka converted garage)with rave reviews for it and the owners.

We searched the area around Holiday Florida and got many suggestions. Two places I marked for possible disappeared by the following week, and this was 2 months in advance of booking, so don’t shilly-shally.

One in nearby New Port Richey came with WiFi, the right location for us, a kitchen in case we wanted to eat’at home’ and an overgrown garden/lawn in which to relax.

Kitchen portion of cottage.
Kitchen portion of cottage.

Cottage - private, fun & convenient in New Port Richey 2015-05-27 10-22-06

The bed was smaller than we are used to, but for 3 nights we could survive. We were delighted with how completely it was equipped—far better than the 200 a night Paris apartment. The hosts were as lovely as their previous guests claimed. She’s from Finland and spends summers there. He’s a traveler and photographer whose photos liven the walls.

When I mentioned that the only thing missing was a place to hang clothes, he unlocked a closet for me. (Most guests are there for fishing or the beach, not to go to a wedding, as we were, so the closet is mostly private storage space.)

The neighborhood is mid century Florida bungalows surrounded by towering live oaks trailing their Rapunzel-like Spanish moss decoration. The town is down at the heels, seeming to have more closed than open businesses. We did enjoy waking to Capozi’s Diner for breakfast one day, but headed further afield for other meals. Busy Rt 14, paralleling the Gulf, hosts every chain motel and restaurant known to America.

The beautiful beaches and wild life preserves are everywhere around you, but it is easy to miss them in the freeway traffic. When we asked a native Walgreens clerk for directions to Green Key park which edges New Port Richey along the Gulf, he didn’t have a clue.

He probably didn’t know tourists were staying a couple blocks away in a residential neighborhood, either.

Bottom line: Air BnB is a good alternative to chains if you want something with more character and like to stay in a residential area. Their web site gives very complete information. Don’t assume every place will be cheap. They carry pricier places as well. I would not hesitate to use them again.

Pictures are from the owner, posted at http://www.AirBnB.com

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About Vera Marie Badertscher

A freelance writer who loves to travel. When she is not traveling she is reading about travel. When she is not reading or traveling, she is sharing with the readers of A Traveler's Library, or recreating her family's past at Ancestors In Aprons . She has written for Reel Life With Jane, Life is a Trip and other websites. Also co-author of a biography, Quincy Tahoma, The Life and Legacy of a Navajo Artist. Contact Vera Marie by e-mail.