Berkeley, CA — Private Room in Fragrance-Free House

NOTE: We are currently hosting only guests who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Every member of your party must have received their final shot 2+ weeks prior to arrival. Based on local health recommendations, masks may be required in public areas.

The Asia Suite is a spacious, lovely bedroom with an attached bath in a beautiful 3-bdrm, 2-ba home in a wonderful neighborhood in the Berkeley hills. Guests are welcome to use the kitchen and the public areas of the house and garden.

The space
Guests from more than 25 countries have enjoyed serene stays at the beautiful, eco-friendly North Berkeley Hills Homestay. Perfectly located in a quiet neighborhood close to transit, shopping, restaurants, UC Berkeley, and nature! You're welcome whether you're here to visit Cal (just 2 miles away), connect with family or friends, look for a place to live, take classes, or seek respite from chemically toxic environments. Many guests with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and environmental illness (EI) find a safe and healthy refuge here. Out of respect for these guests, please do not bring scented products into the house. We provide high-quality fragrance-free soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, shaving cream, and after-shave for guests without their own.

There is free WiFi available throughout the house and guests are welcome to use the well-equipped kitchen for their light meal preparation.

The Asia Suite is a beautiful, spacious room with an en suite bath. It has a very supportive queen bed. Other furnishings include a Danish modern rocker and a bamboo cafe table with two chairs. If you have others in your party or prefer a more economical room, please see our other listing for the Library.

Though the neighborhood feels surprisingly peaceful in the lively Bay Area — deer are frequently seen "pruning" local gardens! — we're just a short walk from charming Kensington Village, where you'll find an old-fashioned drug store, post office, wine shop, restaurant, grocery store, ATM machine, and café, and public transportation.

We've been hosting guests at this location since 2002, and look forward to helping you feel at home while you're in the Bay Area.

Guest access
In addition to the room(s) you've rented, you have access to a gorgeous eat-in kitchen, lovely living room/dining room, back deck, and garden.

Other things to note
Guests may arrange to do laundry for $10/load; we provide 7th Generation Free & Clear or similar detergent.

SENSITIVITIES
Since 2007, when I began hosting guests with sensitivities, nearly all have felt safe and comfortable here for stays from three nights to ten months. Some have found this to be the only place, including home, they do not feel their health is at risk. Given the vast range and level of chemical and environmental sensitivities, however, I cannot know how your system will fare in this space. The following information may help you assess whether the North Berkeley Hills Homestay might be a healthy fit for you:

• Shoes off at the front door
  

• No scented products allowed in house
  

• Gas furnace with HEPA filter
  

• Hardwood floors, water-based finish (entire main floor except for ‘70s era sheet vinyl in Asia Suite bath)
  

• Persian rugs can be removed if necessary (extra charge)
  

• Formaldehyde-free kitchen cabinets
  

• VOC-free paint & water-based finishes used throughout
  

• 100% formaldehyde-free cotton insulation in walls & ceiling
  

• 100% American wool carpet with a natural pad (downstairs, usually not occupied by guests)
  

• Miele vacuum with HEPA filter
  

• Clean with Seventh Generation Free & Clear line (dishwasher & laundry detergent, dish liquid, glass & surface cleaner), and Bon Ami powder cleanser or baking soda & vinegar upon request
  

• Rugs & carpets cleaned only with water-based process
  

• Clearly Natural unscented glycerine liquid hand & bar soap
  

• Multi-Pure water filter in kitchen
  

• Shower filter removes up to 99% of chlorine (hall bath)
  

• No renovations since 2007; formaldehyde-free wallboard replaced sheetrock in kitchen, living/dining   room, downstairs office, and Asia Suite ceiling
  

• Redwood/stucco construction over concrete slab foundation; composition shingle roof
  

• House tested free of mold in 2006
  

• Utility wires underground
  

• SmartMeter installed on outside wall of garage a level below Asia Suite
  

• WiFi accessible throughout house; router on lower level in office away from bedrooms
  

• No smoking allowed on this or adjacent properties
  

• No pesticides used in garden for more than 17 years; it’s planted with organic veggies & fruit trees using compost made from our kitchen waste (worms) & Berkeley green waste
  

• No pets in the home since January 2002
  

• Scent-free personal care products provided only for NON-SENSITIVE guests to protect your health;  please bring & use scent-free products you know are safe for you
  

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with additional questions or if you’re interested in a consultation to guide healthy building, renovation, restoration, cleaning, and/or maintenance.

This room is available through the airbnb listing or you can email or call Teri directly at 510.910.0086 for a more affordable room rate.