Hey, I'm Lara!

Reviews From Guests

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  Charlotte

  I'm a repeat customer and enjoyed my stay once again. Very pretty apartment with well-stocked fridge and snacks, fluffy towels, comfortable linens, everything extremely clean.

  November 2011
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  Yuting

  Lara is an excellent host! She's a very hospitable and considerate person, knows everything we needed. Lara&Alex's advises about transportation, shopping and sightseeing in DC was really good and gave us a hand. Thank you so much!! Sanctuary had almost all the amenities we'd like to have, feels just like staying at home there. Next time to DC, Sanctuary will definitely be my first choice to stay.

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  Clarissa

  I live just up the street from Lara, but needed a place for my parents to stay while we had a full house for my son's first birthday - I was SO pleased to find Lara's home. It was perfect - well appointed, beautifully decorated and very comfortable. My parents were very happy there! Thanks Lara!

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  Bonnie

  Lara is an exceptional host that was very helpful and thoughtful to make sure we had everything we needed during our stay. Her accomodations were very comfortable and well equipped with all of the little extras! We also appreciated the private space with our own key. We will definitely return if we are in the Wash DC area again!

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  Yvonne

  We are three Australian women over 50 who thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Lara's place. The basket of breakfast goodies was very appropriate and useful. It was good to have our own private access to our accommodation. The instructions given concerning public transport were very helpful, and the bus and metro were easy to negotiate once we got used to them. Lara was a helpful, pleasant and non-obtrusive host. She freely lent her laptop to us at night and gave very good advice concerning... More »

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  Natalie

  We had a great stay! Lara is very nice! She was very helpful when we were trying to get around.

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  Doug

  Enjoyed our stay at he Sanctuary. Nicely decorated and very warm atmosphere. Very convenient to downtown by the Metro - enjoyed eating three evenings at Col. Brooks Tavern. Good food at a very reasonable price.

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  Rajeev

  First things first, place is filled with character from stairways going down the basement to corner of the bathroom. We had a wonderful stay, enjoyed the quite neighborhood, breakfast in the front lawn, easy street parking, 3 miles drive to capital and list goes on. Every thing is exactly as shown in the pictures here, place was very comfortably cool on a very hot 99 degree day. Kitchenette was very useful. Overall very statisfaying stay and keeps my faith in Airbnb.

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  Linda

  This was our first time using airbnb and if Lara's Washington DC "Sanctuary" is any indication of the site's other accommodations, we don't know if we'll ever stay in a hotel again. Lara was incredibly gracious and helpful, her attention to detail was above and beyond anything that we could have imagined. From the fresh fruit, snacks, maps, and daily fresh towels with a truffle no less! (Thanks for the Mac use Lara, Linda would have been upset without her internet connection). Though... More »

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  Rita

  Our stay at the Sanctuary was so delightful. The accommondations were like having your own little cottage room. We definitely we pass on this B&B to our friends.

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  Sarah

  Can totally recommend! They were super nice and had thought of everything!

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  Erika

  Our stay at Sanctuary was fun and relaxing! Lara and Alex have created a very cozy apartment and they excel at the personal touch. We had everything we needed. Thanks Lara!

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  Seth

  We loved out stay here. Lara and Alex were great hosts, and went far above the call of duty for our family vacation to the DC area. The apatment is just lovely and all the nice details added to our enjoyment. We hope to stay here again soon.

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  Deanna

  We had a great time staying with Lara, Alex and George in DC. The neighborhood is quiet, safe, and people are very nice. It's a nice walk to the metro, and we especially enjoyed the food in the "downtown" area of the Brookland area at Col. Brook's Tavern - ate there all 3 days that we were in town! The accomodations were so homey and comfortable, and the coffee & breakfast/snack items were perfect. Thank you L,A&G for a great time in DC - will definitely stay there again!

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  Nancy

  Lara and Alex are wonderful people. When you are at their home, you feel safe, cozy, and relaxed. They provided lots of creature comforts!

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  Brooke

  Very cozy! Comfy bed with wonderful blankets. I really loved having the coffee, tea, and snacks. Lara was great. She even contacted me ahead of our arrival to ask if I needed anything special for my baby. Very considerate hosts! I highly recommend!

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  Debor

  This place is steeped with real people's history. I had a compelling desire to start an oral history of Brookland as I walked through the streets. There are Sears kit bungalows (1920s-40s), beautiful Victorians, and 1950-60s colonial and ranch styles...all placed on the natural contours of the land, when leveling the land was not predominant...a magical and real experience... Lara was so delightful, and even let us bring our cat, to my daughter's unending amazement...the studio crafted in... More »

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  Erica & chance

  Lara and Alex's home was lovely, and located in a nice residential neighborhood of Washington D.C. The space was just as pictured: private, spotlessly clean, and Lara left snacks and breakfast food aplenty. Parking is free, which wouldn't be the case closer to downtown. All in all a great place!

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  Jen

  They are fabulous people and their home is located in a quiet and safe neighborhood close to the city center. I highly recommend it!

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  Christopher

  This sanctuary was better than any hotel we could have stayed at! We felt right at home with all of Lara & Alex's personal touches. Enjoying the city was easy with all of their helpful maps, directions, menus, and tour guides. They left us items that any traveler may forget (toothpaste, shampoo, band-aids, etc.) and breakfast, waters, soda, and snacks to enjoy during our stay. We did run into a little car trouble while we were there, but Lara and Alex offered to drive us around and we... More »

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  Angela

  I was not personally able to make the trip to stay at lara's place, however according to my huband and his cousin, they had a very comfortable time. They experienced Lara as hospitable, kind, and went the extra mile to even comfort our lab who was crying and walked him. The place was immaculate and well kept. It was also convenient --about a 10 minute drive to the museums. Defintely stay there again!

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  Victoria

  We had a wonderful stay, we didn't meet Alex, but Lara was so sweet, she thinks of everything! It was wonderful to come home to our cosy little apartment each day, Lara must have turned the lights and heater on for us before we got home. The bed was incredibly comfy, there were fresh towels for us each day and the snacks and breakfast supplies were well stocked. The metro was close and a really quick ride into the center of Washington, and there was plenty of shops nearby. We were sad to... More »

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  Perri

  Lara was a wonderful hostest and she provided exceptional accomodations. Everything was absolutely lovely. Book your DC stay at her sanctuary - you'll have no regrets.

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  Charlotte

  Fresh, bright, fun and VERY clean room. The bed was soft and comfortable with all cotton sheets. The towels smelled fragrant, so much better than hotel-washed ones. Shower had such good water pressure I got in and out in only a couple minutes! The bed was a double or queen, very comfy for me. There was also a twin daybed. I cannot say much negative about this place. The stairs were a bit narrow for a large person to navigate. The bathroom was tiny, but clean and pretty. It was a bit... More »

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  Kenneth

  Lara place was very very nice, I had a blast. It was in a great location, quiet, and very well put together. My favorite part of the place was that I was able to hook my iPad to the TV and stream Netflix!. I plan to stay there again on my next trip to DC. They were great host and provided towel and snacks as if we were in a hotel! LARA Thanks again.

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  Emily

  We can't say enough good things about our stay at Lara's! She and Alex made us feel welcome from the first - even meeting us as we were getting out of our car and ushering us to our candle-lit 'apartment.' Lara thought of EVERYTHING we could possibly want to make our 1st anniversary wonderful: local eatery suggestions, tioletries, maps and even coupons to take with us as we explored (to name a few). The snacks and breakfast items were a huge help and gave us flexibility with scheduling our... More »

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  Carolyn

  Lara's (and the illusive Alex"s) home was more than we expected. Lara's attention to detail and her unfailing kindnes and assistance, coupled with a beautiful nature, made our stay with her in Washington extremely pleasant. At the end of the day, after a tiring day of sightseeing, all we wanted to do was get home to "Lara's place". All the necessities, and much more, were provided by Lara - we would have loved to have stayed much longer. Thank you so much - we will certainly stay with you... More »

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  Veronique

  We had a warm welcome from Lara. Everything was perfect. Lara is an excellent host and have great attention to their guests. The home is very pleasant, nice furnished and nice decorated and we feel like home. It is with pleasure that we will return to Wahington and staty in their "Sanctuary" because 2 days is not enought to visit this wonderfull town. We met Alex and their nice dog George.

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  Beverly

  Lara is an outstanding hostess - very helpful, sweet and genuine. The apartment decor is delightful and will put you in a good mood just being there. Everything is of the highest quality and cleanliness. Having complementary snacks in the room was appreciated and hit the spot perfectly - very convenient. It's easy to get into town on the metro, very quick. My husband and I enjoyed our stay here very much and we highly recommend it.

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  Emma

  We had only a one night stay at Lara and Alex's, but it was a lovely apartment, just as shown by the pictures. Lara greeted us on arrival, and offered her help with getting around and planning our day. We also arrived early and phoned ahead to see if we could check in, and she already had the room ready for us, which made our stay much easier! The pamphlets and snacks in the room were very nice touches and much appreciated, and the metro station was only a 10-15 minute walk from the house.... More »

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  Donna

  We really enjoyed staying with Lara, Alex and George. They made us feel really welcome and the room is clean and cute. We had everything we needed for our stay and Lara replenished when we ran out. We would recommend Sanctuary in DC to anyone. Close to transport so you can get around easily. We would stay there again if we were in Washington

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  Enid

  What a lovely hard working couple, beatiful self contained flat downstais, delightfully decorated giving an immediate warm feeling on arrivsl, apart from the personal one from Lara who directed the taxi driver en route. we highly recommend this apartment with 10 stars if we could. Cheers George Margaret and Enid. Australia

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  Sally

  Very charming and helpful hosts. We came to do bicycle riding and they were able to direct us the right way. The room is just as pretty and cheerful as the picture.There is plenty of street free parking.Lara and Alex were very welcoming ! Stay here and you will be happy............

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  Amy

  We stayed at Lara and Alex's place for two days and it was lovely! Unfortunately, Lara was out of town & we didn't get to meet her, but Alex was a wonderful host and gave us many good tips for restaurants, etc. Thank you Alex (and Lara) for providing everything we could possibly need! So nice of you to have goodies for breakfast - we were able to splurge more on dinners! It was especially nice to be able to park right outside; even though we took the bus/metro during the day, a nighttime... More »

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  Dan

  My partner and I stayed in Lara's "Sanctuary" while we explored DC, and we couldn't have been more satisfied with our visit. Lara and Alex were very welcoming, and the apartment was delightfully cozy. I would readily recommend them to anyone. Thanks a bunch!

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  Janet

  We recently stayed at Alex and Lara's supper cute lower apartment. The bed was the most comfortable bed in the world. The breakfast items were fresh and organic which shows how much they care about their guests. The walk to the metro rail was quick and convenient. We stayed for three nights and it was a nice coming back to a home like environment after a long day of sight seeing. We had a very nice anniversary get-a-way to remember. Thanks, Kris and Janet Platt

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  Leslie

  Thank you Lara, Alex and George for accommodating us on such short notice! The room was spacious, colorful and clean (bed was really comfy too!) We appreciated having a microwave and fridge for snacks and the goodies you left us were a lifesaver. It was convenient to the Metro and thanks for the tip on the Basillica and the Tavern. 2 more great spots on our East Coast adventure! If you're ever in Iowa we have a room! CHEERS! Leslie and Austin

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  Jessica

  Very personable and responsive people who really want you to enjoy your stay in D.C.! Very comfortable room with tasty treats provided.

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  Darla

  It was a fantastic stay. The room (although small) was exceptional. It was extremely clean, and very well decorated. The beds were comfortable, the sheets and towels were of good quality. Mid-week we got clean towels and sheets. There was everything in the room we could need! The room is only a 4-6 minute drive out of the downtown area of DC. We were supplied all the fresh fruit we could eat, plus fresh bagels twice! There was also a stocked mini fridge that was a great surprise. It... More »

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  Serge

  My wife and I stayed at Lara's lovely apartment in DC for two nights. We enjoyed it a lot, everything was perfect! We felt like staying in a 5-star hotel, the room is so nicely furnished, clean and equiped (TV, internet coffee, snacks, breakfast...). While it was unbearably hot outside, our room was perfectly cool. Even our bed was made after the first night and new snacks and breakfast in the room. We had a rental car and could park in front of the house. It was no problem to find free... More »

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  Violet

  We stayed for a week, Lara provided fresh towels daily and refreshed the fruit and breakfast items when needed. The apartment is cosy & inviting. Lara and Alex were great hosts, they provided helpful tips while giving us our privacy. Tip if you plan on using public transport, the H6 bus takes you to the metro in about 6 min. The bus is one block from the house. Buy your metro / bus pass combo at the CVS pharmacy, you cannot buy it at the metro station. Great stay, we have no reservations... More »

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  Katherine

  We came to DC to get married and what a wonderful way to start of the rest of our lives. Lara's place was perfect, it was clean and quiet and very comfortable. She left a really nice spread of breakfast food too. It was lovely meeting both her and her boyfriend, they both went the extra mile to make our stay wonderful. I highly recommend staying with Lara, it is indeed a sanctuary.

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  Betsi

  This was my first airbnb stay. I was absolutely delighted with the accommodations and hosts. The room was clean and well designed and had one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in. Lara provided a tray of fresh fruit and an assortment of snacks in addition to standard breakfast goodies. This is excellent value. I will definitely return!

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  Monique

  I loved staying with Alex and Lara for my business trip. The space was beautiful and they were an absolute joy. I felt comfortable and the smell of the magnolia tree in the early afternoon was enjoyable. The food and drinks left in the unit were so sweet and personalized my stay. Alex was great with carrying our bags and they called immediately after I left because I forgot some of my items. I am looking forward to more stays at Sanctuary! Alex and Lara make it worthwhile!

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  Donna

  We just want to thank Alex and Lara for a wonderful stay. The apartment was great and suited our needs for our vacation. Yes the bathroom was small but funtional. We loved being able to leave our car parked on the street. No parking fees, we understand the cost to park near the capital is quite high. The bed was comfortable and more important then that the pillows were great, I always bring my own and I didn't need to. Thank you Alex for checking up on us and the tip to go to the... More »

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  Renee

  What a terrific find! Alex and Lara were friendly and helpful. The room is immaculate, the bed is very comfortable and the shower is hot with great pressure. Lara provided fresh bagels, cereal, juice, and even cream for our coffee. The apartment is quiet and we truly found it a "Sanctuary." Who could ask for more? Thanks, Lara and Alex!

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  Sylvia

  Well, this surely beats staying in a hotel. Both Lara and Alex are charming hosts, helpful in every way including calling and making sure a taxi comes our way to the airport. The room is tastefully done with quality. It is appealing to the eyes and comfortable for the bodies. The bathroom is a tad tight. However, the freshness and cleanness make up for all. Yes, I would recommend it.

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  Benjamin

  Lara and Alex were extremely relaxed, kind, thoughtful, and generous. The room was absolutely fantastic, the bed VERY comfortable, a true "sanctuary." I felt truly relaxed, on a business trip, and enjoyed my stay much more than I would have in a hotel. The walk to the Metro was a quick 10 minutes at a brisk pace and the ride to downtown was VERY fast. I highly recommend this great haven. Truly nice place and truly nice people. Can't wait to go back!

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  Lisa

  My 12 year old daughter and I traveled to DC alone and had the pleasure of staying w/Lara and Alex. Although we travled alone, Lara and Alex were both great about making sure we had directions we needed, maps, safe travels to and from metro, etc. The apt was perfect for us...very clean, plenty of breakfast and snacks and beautiful neighborhood. Lara and Alex were wonderful hosts and our new friends in DC! Thank to you both of them for taking such good care of us. Better than any hotel or BB... More »

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  Louise

  Alex and Lara's apartment was even better than the photos, breakfast items were provided each day as well as there being drinks in the fridge and fresh fruit. There were also maps and guide books which were invaluable. Alex kindly invited us to go on a walk with him and their lovely beagle George, my mum accepted and got a tour of the local area. Its a pleasant 15/20 minute walk to the metro station which takes you right to the heart of the city, buses are also available very near if you... More »

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  Barbara

  The apartment of Lara & Alex is very nice. It is very nice decorated, very clean and has everything you need for a pleasant stay in Washington. The fridge was filled with milk, jam, butter, water, yogurt, peanut butter and coke, and there were bagels and fresh fruit for us. Maps and magazines about Washington and the area. New towels after 2 days. Unfortuntaley we didn't meet Lara because she was not in Washington during our stay but Alex was a very good host! George, their dog is very nice,... More »

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  Tammi

  Alex and Lara were excellent host! We had spent the week with them but hardly knew that anyone else was there. Lots of great breakfast and snack foods. It was about a 15 minute walk to the Metro and the Neighborhood was nice. The apartment was nicely furnished and cozy. Excellent place to stay if you are looking for a romantic getway or to do the "tourist thing".

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  Pamela

  Alex and Lara's apartment was just what we hoped for. We had snacks, drinks, and I especially liked the gum! What hotel room provides you with gum and refreshments included in your stay? The magazines, maps, menus of local restaurants really came in handy. The apartment is beautifully decorated with all of the conveniences of home. We were warm and cozy during our January visit. Wonderful personal touches!!! We WILL return!

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  Alice

  I would say Lara's apartment was of top notch! It's even better than a 5-star hotel but at the same time you feel like being home. My boyfriend and I were really impressed by Lara's great hospitality - drawn maps, guide books, thoughtful amenities and goodies (which were refilled every day)! The apartment was spotless clean, cozy and very comfortable. Every single detail was taken care of to ensure our comfortable stay. Sometimes we wished we could spend more time staying in because the... More »

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  Bradley

  Lara and Alex are excellent hosts. The place is very clean and well organized -- and quiet. I'm torn with this review because I don't want too many people to book their place in case i need to book it myself...

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  Anna

  we showed up after a LONG long long drive and found our keys and the apartment very easily. great location and cozy apartment with great treats left for us. perfect B and B experience!

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  Cindy

  Great place, and very nice people!

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  Susan

  This arrangement was for my boss to go on a business trip to receive training. He expressed to me extreme delight in the hospitality he received and to be completely honest, I know the experience was a breath of fresh air for him in the busy work-a-day world. On a side note, it was a thrifty business decision and very financially sound for our organization. If ever back in DC, we would contact Lara again and we definitely recommend it for anyone visiting the DC area.

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  Salihah

  Lara was there during check-in and made sure I was settled right in. Complete with drawn maps, guide books, thoughtful amenities and a SmartTrip card! The apartment was spotless, cozy with a cool ambience and very comfortable, it was like stepping into a luxury hotel and immediately feel at home. Infact it was so cozy that sometimes I wished I had just stayed in. I think the highlights of my stay were when Lara and Alex invited me for Thanksgiving dinner. And when Lara insisted on driving me... More »

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  Chuck

  This was a great place and great people- the room was perfect- private but easy to visit the dog when I wanted! Lara has done a great job making the suite comfortable and homey- lots of pillows and cute little snacks and amenities. Alex walked me to the bus stop and they helped me figure out the metro which was quick and easy so no need for taxi. I just wished all my kids and wife could have been here to see what a fun place this was- well done.

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  Debi

  I had a wonderful stay at the Sanctuary in DC. Thank you for putting all the effort into the details it really makes a difference.

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  Julia and gianni

  We stayed in the "Sanctuary" for four nights including halloween. We arrived late the first night and we were greeted by Lara upon arrival. It was like stepping into a five star hotel. The apartment was lit with aromic candles and she showed us a fridge full of goodies, clean towels. She even offered us a bottle of wine (which we replaced the next day). Just what we needed after two long flights from the west coast. After a hot shower we quickly slipped into the queen bed which had crisp... More »

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  Dee

  If your looking for a very clean/comfortable/friendly place to stay in DC I recommend this little sanctury! We visited DC for one day and one night. Lara & Alex made sure we made the most of our trip and kindly helped us plan our day out so that we could see all the famous sights. The weather was fab and we really got to see everything we wanted to plus more! George town is a must see.. we also made it to the space museum and for a steak dinner in Virginia in the evening! A hot shower,... More »

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  Chris

  This stay completely exceeded our expectations. The room is lovely and has absolutely everything you could want. Laura and Alex were the perfect hosts, intuitive enough to know when to talk and when to leave us alone to sleep. Lara even heard me say we had to mail a bunch of items and printed out all the nearest mail centers for me! The room itself is fantastic with a big tv and every amentiy you could hope for. Thanks to Lara, I'll never stay in a hotel again. Honestly a very switched on... More »