Property grounds

Reviews of Maria's JP Rental - Boston Duplex in Popular Jamaica Plain "JP" area


Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 116 out of 138 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 19 out of 138 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 138 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 138 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 138 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Helene S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Low key JP is the place to be
JP is a wonderful neighborhood. If you enjoy walking, everything is not too far. There are bakeries, local shops, food, ice cream, drug stores, hardware stores, and nice restaurants. There are also lots of parks and places to walk. The metro or T as it is known here, is also a short walk. Very easy to get downtown if you need to.
Stayed 15 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Karla F.

Rustic more than renovated
Great place, great host. Lots of sweet touches—basket of packaged goodies and extra toiletries and some staples in the fridge. The kitchen seemed well stocked though admittedly we only used the microwave and toaster—mostly wanted to enjoy the local flavors. The stairs felt a bit “slanted” but it is a historical home so settling would be expected. There were some basic “maintenance” things that may need attention. The light on the porch was out so it made it difficult to navigate locks after dark but our cell phone worked just fine. Also had a loose porch rail. The bathroom probs could use a bit of work/cleaning—chipped paint on ceiling, pretty dusty on baseboards, some cobwebs in corners, dusty ceiling fan, walls were grungy, the shower curtain liner was orange-ish. It may have just been the character that comes with the age of the building but a coat of paint would probs make a huge difference for guests and easier to keep clean overall for housekeepers. One of the kitchen cabinet fronts was also loose. These things were all little in nature honestly and we never said anything to the host as they never became an issue. Just things we noticed especially since the listing stated that the unit had been recently renovated. The beds were comfy and a great location. The neighborhood was pretty and the unit was quite comfy for us overall. Very close to transportation and to the airport. Host was VERY helpful and responsive and answered questions very quickly.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great JP rental
Maria's JP rental was a perfect home base to explore Boston. We loved being able to walk to the pond and the orange line t-stop was just a few blocks away...so easy! We appreciated all of the thoughtful touches to welcome visitors - tea, cookies, water in the fridge, guide books, laundry soap, fully stocked kitchen. We were sad to leave!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark G., Alexandria, VA

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful home base for exploring Boston
We used the house as our home base for exploring Boston and the greater New England area, and we were very pleased with the location and accommodations. Within a only a short drive or subway ride we were able to get to all that we wanted to visit very easily. It is only a short walk to the "T" (subway), perhaps 10 minutes, and the path is well lit at night - never felt unsafe. In an hour to 90 minutes you can be in Plymouth, Salem, or even southern Maine. The neighborhood is quiet and there are good restaurants, a bakery, and a bookstore all a few blocks away. If/when driving, parking can be an adventure, but we were always able to find a space close to the house. Do keep in mind that the bathroom is on the lower level, which took only a short time to adjust to, especially if getting up in the middle of the night. The house has all the basics you will need and the host is close by should any needs arise. I would recommend this place for your next Boston adventure.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gail F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location and lovely neighborhood
My husband and I visited Boston/New England with our 3 college-age kids and this was the perfect spot for us. We all fell in love with Jamaica Plain and enjoyed visiting the local shops and restaurants. A quick and easy walk to the T got us downtown in 20 minutes or so for all the historic sites. I actually thought we might feel a little tight in the small apartment, but it was very comfortable and everything was provided that we could possibly need. Thanks for sharing your space with us!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Toni C.

Liked: Cleanliness
JP vrbo
Thank you, Maria, for your thoughtful touches. Your place was comfortable for our group of five and we were able to walk to the T easily as well as walking into Centre Street. 😊
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect host and perfect place, for a perfect stay in a great neighborhood.
Maria was the perfect host, and this was the perfect spot for us to stay while we visited our son in Jamaica Plain. Easy walking distance to tons of cute shops and restaurants, and a short walk to our son's apartment. It's also very close to the "T", so we didn't even rent a car. The apartment was comfortable and well equipped with everything we needed. There were even kids' books and a few toys for our 5 year old grandson. We had plenty of books to read to him every night, and didn't even make a trip to the library as we had planned (it's just a few blocks away). And Maria was fantastic! The TV and Xfinity service were having some glitches, so she replaced the TV within hours, with a brand new smart TV with the Xfinity app all set up and ready to go, and of course all the other streaming apps as well. The kitchen is small but well equipped and suited our needs perfectly. The washer and dryer came in handy as well. Keep in mind that the bedrooms are upstairs and the only bathroom is downstairs, but we knew that from the listing, and it wasn't a problem. We will stay there again when we go back to JP. Andrew and Rhoda
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katie L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great, cozy place with everything we needed
We were very comfortable and had everything we needed for our stay. Communication was excellent and we appreciated all the little touches.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Mary B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Holiday Getaway
The rental worked well for us as we visited our daughter in the JP area. It is close to metro and convenient for our itinerary. We had a pleasant stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elinor M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent value
This is a 2 storey apartment with the bathroom on the main floor and a lovely small deck outside. It is well equipped. It is quite far from the centre of Boston but the subway is about 8 minutes easy walk and is superb. The living room and kitchen is smaller than the pictures. Maria is very friendly and helpful.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Belinda T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Jamaica Plains Gem
First time visitor to Boston and this property is a true gem. It was centrally located to all we wanted to do. This neighborhood has everything you need (grocery store, restaurants, shopping and a Dunkin). Short Uber ride to downtown, Fenway and the Wharf. The home is charming and the owner is very helpful and accommodating. Kitchen is fully stocked and the deck is a great place to have your morning coffee. We felt very safe in the neighborhood day and night. We will be back.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary Esther T., Burlington, VT

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location for us
The apartment was ideal for the two of us: decent kitchen, (which we only used for coffee and stashing things in the fridge); very comfortable bed; plenty of drawers and closet space; quiet street; easy and pleasant walk to town and its variety of restaurants.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

NICK B.

Liked: Cleanliness
First trip to Boston
Property was very clean and in a nice quiet neighborhood. We were able to walk to grocery and were not too far with Uber from our wanted destinations
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gus D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
Great place. Had an awesome time with family.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great house for families
This is a great place to stay. The house is about a 10 minute walk from the T and was very doable for my children. There are also several playgrounds in walking distance. The house is great for kids, nothing to worry about them breaking, kids cups, a stool in the bathroom and a nightlight in the kids room. There were basic staples like sugar and spices in the kitchen. This was a great place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ann A., Dallas, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean & Charming
We enjoyed our stay in JP. The apartment was very clean and the neighborhood was super quiet. It was a great home base as we visited all the sites in Boston. Thanks your hospitality, Maria!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tammy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great, convenient place to stay!
Family vacation with 3 teenagers and Maria’s place was perfect for us. Within walking distance to the train and to get to shops/food in JP. We didn’t have any problems parking, always found a spot. I must say, I love to travel but always have a problem sleeping in a hotel or guest bed. Not here! The bed was very comfortable and I slept very well! Kitchen was stocked nicely. We would return if in the area again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brian H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful and only a T ride to Boston
The location is amazing! Short walk to T and bus; street butts up to panhandle park leading to gorgeous massive park. About 7 short blocks to a charming, bustling neighborhood. Awesome Food (from a foodie). The house is a charming duplex. Only bummer is the one bathroom is downstairs through the kitchen. The space was comfortable for husband, myself, elder mom and dad. The house had a well stocked kitchen. Hosts: very responsive and kind. They provided great recommendations, made the process easy and were great communications. Also a kind couple. Highly recommend for a quiet, park-lined neighborhood within easy travel by transit to Boston.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Galina K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Galina from IL
Great stay. Excellent host with immediate reply. Vey comfortable, safe. Nice place. Well equipped kitchen and bathroom.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Philip R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Comfortable and Convenient
Wonderful to have the opportunity to stay in a residential neighborhood in Jamaica Plain. Didn't have car so appreciated closeness of bus and train. Very comfortable accommodation for two. Also appreciated having a washer and dryer since this stop was in the middle of a longer trip. They worked well.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

FRED C., Bend, Oregon

Liked: Cleanliness
What a nice location …
Jamaica Plain is really ideal in a lot of ways. This property is on a very quiet street where we never had a problem w parking. Lots of small neighborhood restaurants and stores nearby. Train station is a 10 min walk.
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Claudine N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice!
It was very nice!
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Boston
Perfectly convenient for our needs.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

6/10 Okay

Joe M.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Fair value
Some deep cleaning and time spent organizing the kitchen would go along way.
Stayed 42 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

terri z.

Liked: Cleanliness
Neighborhood Home
What we loved about this property was its location in a quiet, lovely neighborhood with easy access to the Metro System or Commuter Trains. It was such a lovely walk to and from this home in the morning as we headed into Boston or early evening as we returned from a wonderful day in the city.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021

2/10 Terrible

Jeremy S.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Had to leave due to allergies
We moved into a hotel after 2 days into our 7-week stay because our son had terrible allergy attacks, likely due to dust and mold. We purchased air filters and dust covers for mattresses and pillows. The owners were nice and agreed to bring in cleaners and replace the AC units that had black mold, but ultimately we adopted for other housing that was cleaner and more modern that we knew our son would be safe and well in. (With COVID, this is no time to have sneezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.) We should have contacted VRBO immediately but instead tried to "work with" the owners. This was a mistake that cost us thousands of dollars as the owners only refunded a third of our payment. This property might work well for some, but we couldn't stay here. This is a small, kind of funky unit with dated furnishings in a lively, walkable neighborhood in good proximity to Boston.
Stayed 45 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Sept 2021
We work very hard to accommodate our guests and address their concerns. We truly want our guests to feel comfortable. I feel that this review is unfair. Our guests did not mention any concerns about the air conditioners or anything until three days after check in. At that time, they contacted me to let me know that they just checked into a hotel and would no longer be staying in our rental apartment due to concerns about air conditioners and their son’s allergies. We have not had any other guests in the past raise concerns about allergies in the apartment. Please see our numerous favorable reviews. We have been renting through VRBO for the last eight years. We did wonder if the record breaking rain might impact allergies, but we would have no way of knowing this for sure. The state of Massachusetts was quite damp at that time. Massachusetts had just received a substantial amount of rain the days prior to check in. Also, that particular month (July of 2021) was the wettest July in Massachusetts history. Nevertheless, in order to address our guests’ concerns, we offered to have our cleaning person come in again to do a second cleaning and dusting of the apartment at our cost. We also offered to purchase new air conditioners. Our guests agreed to try out the apartment again in a couple of days after we offered to buy two new air conditioners and have a second cleaning done at our cost. That same evening, I immediately purchased the two new air conditioners on line (stores were closed) as agreed. I took off time from work the following day in order to pick up the new air conditioners. My husband then took off time from work to install the new air conditioners. Also, that same evening, I arranged for our cleaning person to come the following morning to do an additional cleaning and dusting of the apartment at our cost even though she already did a thorough job of cleaning the apartment prior to the guests’ stay. Despite the fact that we promptly addressed our guests’ concerns with the immediate purchase and installation of the new air conditioners, as well as the immediate second thorough cleaning and dusting of the apartment, our guests did not return. They told us days later that they reconsidered without even coming back to give the apartment another try with the new air conditioners and additional dusting.

8/10 Good

safa l.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely home
Clean home with a great location. My family and I had a wonderfully time!

10/10 Excellent

Liz H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place in JP
Our family of 4 enjoyed our stay. Maria was a wonderful and helpful host who quickly answered all questions. The house was very clean; the kitchen well stocked;; and great restaurants in walking distance. Maria has.a huge binder of helpful info about local restaurants and destinations. We had a great stay & highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarah C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Great place to stay while we visited family and friends.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brad M., Tulsa

Liked: Cleanliness
WFH and visit son
I spent a week at this property working from home and visiting my son. The place was very clean and cozy. The location is walkable to everything you need and the WiFi is adequate for WFH. Maria was excellent with her communication and I would stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Shana K.

Liked: Cleanliness
A lovely stay- we highly recommend the rental
Thank you so much to our hosts! You made our stay so comfortable and we truly appreciated the cleanliness and amenities. The wifi was also great - with two kids in zoom school and two adults working from home we had no problem. We love Jamaica plain and enjoyed being able to walk to the pond and go out for great food.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy JP Apartment
The apartment was clean and well equipped for cooking and kids. Great place for families to stay in JP.

10/10 Excellent

Amy D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place in JP
The apartment was spotless and well equipped. The queen bed was comfortable. Maria’s communication was timely and accurate and her welcome notebook is very thorough. Short walk to the T and to grocery and restaurants. We look forward to staying again when we’re back in JP.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Arie and Michele B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay
Everything was comfortable and convenient. A pleasure.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kristin M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Easy comfort and convenience
Lovely accommodations; very welcoming. We’ll be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Nicolas P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet and cozy just outside Boston
Cozy appartment duplex just outside Boston (15-20 min train ride). Place is stocked to the hilt and prefectly air conditioned. Located in a quiet and friendly neighbourhood where you'll find everything you need. Maria is responsive and friendly. Unless you're looking to stay downtown Boston, you can't go wrong here.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer G.

Liked: Cleanliness
home away from home
We were very impressed with everything that was provided for guests so that we felt right at home. The neighborhood is beautiful and quiet, and the train is just a short walk away. The owners were very gracious and quick to respond to questions. We would love to stay here again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Molly R.

Liked: Cleanliness
The hostess with the mostest!
This lovely property in Jamaica Plain was exactly what we were looking for. We daily made the beautiful walk through historic Jamaica Plain to the orange line stop to hop the train to all of the wonderful sights in Boston. You can get anywhere on the T! We even spent one whole day exploring Jamaica Plain which was fabulous! The food in this area was fantastic and the beauty of the pond and Arboretum were breathtaking. We did not rent a car but found it was not necessary as we ordered our groceries on Amazon from Whole Foods. It arrived in a short time, delivered right to our doorstep. On nights when we wanted to eat in, we ordered from GrubHub. Super easy and convenient! Maria was amazing! She was extremely helpful and kind. She made sure we were fully stocked on coffee, laundry soap, toilet paper, paper towels, and anything else we needed. When we arrived, there were very nice quality, clean towels on everyone's bed. She also left a notebook full of restaurant recommendations and other Boston information on the dining table . Full of menus and maps, it was very helpful. At one point in the week my husband and I forgot to turn off the coffee pot, and unfortunately cracked the carafe. Feeling badly, we asked if we could replace it. She insisted on replacing it herself, ordered a new one immediately and it was sitting on our door a day later! I have never gotten such great service from a hotel or another VRBO! The only thing I would be aware of, is that the bathroom is downstairs and the bedrooms are upstairs. This was completely fine for my husband, our boys, and I however if you have issues going up and down stairs, it might be difficult. On price, location, and service this property cannot be beat. We would absolutely stay in this VRBO again. Thanks, Maria!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Caryn T., Vero Beach, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
A wonderful place to stay!
We spent a week at this cute home over July 4th and loved it! It’s such a lovely and quiet neighborhood, you forget you’re in a city. The house is clean and has everything you need, tons of towels and extra blankets if needed. It was very easy to find on street parking and the grocery store was just a mile and a half away but there is a smaller one within walking distance too. I cooked every night and found the kitchen easy to use and functional for vacation dinners but there are tons of restaurants within walking distance of you desire. The walk to the Orange line T station was a quick 10 minutes and we bought the unlimited weekly pass for $21 which was perfect. Make sure you check out the Harvard arboretum that’s in the neighborhood, it can’t be beat for its serene trees and bonsai area. The owners are very nice and live right next door if you need anything. You won’t regret renting this great property!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Pieter M., Hutchinson

Liked: Cleanliness
Boston Vacation
The house was exactly as advertised. Clean, organized and the kitchen was VERY well stocked. The coffee maker with coffee beans/grinder was super nice for the early morning coffee needs. Living room was just the right size with comfy furniture and the 4 port USB charger and free WiFi made all the difference. Nice selection of TV channels for morning cartoons or late night TV. Maybe a Chromecast or Roku Stick plugged in and guests could stream their own TV (Netflix/Hulu, etc), just a thought. Bedrooms were nice, no complaints and the porch was wonderful for early morning coffee, watching the world wake up around you. Neighbors were quiet (I’m sure everyone could hear us with our two young kids). Parking worked out most of the time. A few days we had to park down the street or around the block, but not a big deal. Location is perfect. Thanks so much for helping make our Boston vacation that much better.

8/10 Good

Maritza T.

Great find
Good location, 2 bedrooms, small but comfortable. Plenty of extra sleeping space for larger families. Nothing fancy but excellent for the price. Maria is friendly and profesional, and tried to accommodate all of my extra requests, including adding extra days to my original planned dates. Always responded very quickly. I give her prompt service and attention 5 stars. My only complain is the parking situation. If you arrive early in the day before anyone is home from work you can find street parking, otherwise, good luck! That can be frustrating when hauling luggage through the narrow passage to the apartment when the driveway is occupied. I suggest coming up with a check-in / check-out system where guests can reserve the driveway for 15 minutes to unload / load. Having said that, I would definitely stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tara D.

Perfect location
Great location!!! Very comfortable. We would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kristin K.

Home away from home
We spent the entire month of November at Maria's and John's rental and found it a comfortable and convenient place to stay. It's in a great location in Jamaica Plain--near Centre street--with restaurants, stores, and markets nearby. The Arboretum and Jamaica Pond are only a short walk away, as is the closest MBTA station. The kitchen had pretty much all the equipment we needed for a month of cooking, the heating system kept us warm during an unusually chilly month, and we appreciated having a washer/dryer in the unit. The downstairs, especially, gets a lot of natural light--beautiful on a sunny day. Maria and John were great hosts, helpful but respectful of our privacy.
Stayed 30 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Garrett H.

Beautiful Jamaica Plains House
We were here for 4 days while attending Friends and Family weekend at Northeastern and really couldn't have found a better location and house. Perfect size for the four of us and very clean and cozy. Maria was very welcoming and made us feel at home. Great location just a 5 minute walk from the main drag where there are great local restaurants and shops and just a 10 min ride on the T to get to Northeastern. Hope to stay here again next year.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

David J.

very nice
good location, nice property & Maria & family very accomodating
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Tony N.

The place was awesome
I really enjoyed my stay here. Had everything I needed. It was awesome, clean, tranquil and had all the amenities I needed. Would stay there everytime if I could. And Maria was great and very thorough. Thank you Maria Tony Nava
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Nuria G., Florida

Very clean and very well equipped! Close to t and walking distance to many restaurants.
Definitely, we will come back! Thanks Maria!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sherry P.

Location location!
Loved the house! The location was wonderful for walking everywhere. Nice restaurants and the T in walking distance. We would stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sandra W.

Great location, everything you could need
Really enjoyed our stay. Plenty of space for a family of 4 with 2 teenagers! Well equipped accommodation with a homely feel. We didn't want for anything. Maria and John were extremely helpful when needed. The location of this property is fantastic with lots of restaurants a short walk away. Quick and regular access to the city via train (Green St. Orange T) or bus (no.39) was also close by - perfect for sightseeing.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Diana M.

Comfortable and Convenient Boston Stay
Maria is incredibly friendly and attentive as the owner. She and her family live right next door so very accessible. My daughter and I stayed for a week for a summer vacation. The subway (T) is a short 10 minute walk, making this a very convenient easily accessible and cost effective location. We did not spend much time in Jamaica Plain itself, but the grocery store (Whole Foods) and coffee shops/restaurants are positively reviewed and accessible. The home had everything we needed, well stocked kitchen and all appliances worked perfectly. Please note that the one bathroom is downstairs with bedrooms upstairs. Very satisfied with our stay and can't wait to finish our Boston exploration another time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018