A suite in Caesarea

A sweet deal from Airbnb

By SARA NADAV
A vacation in Caesarea (photo credit: SARAH NADAV)
A vacation in Caesarea
(photo credit: SARAH NADAV)
Sometimes a trip is about where you’re going, sometimes it’s about the people you’re traveling with, and sometimes it’s about the people you meet when you’re there. Airbnb provides the opportunity to not only go to amazing and unique places but also to meet incredible people.
When we booked our stay at Casa Cae sarea – Mediterranean Mews, we chose it because of its location close to the beach, the beautiful photos on the profile page and the fact that it had won TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice award in 2014.
Trying to figure out who your host is be fore getting to the site is impossible because Airbnb gives only first names, so it was only after we arrived that I discovered that Anne Kleinberg was more than just a friendly host. In fact, she is a published author, interior designer and spectacular cook (with her own series of cookbooks).
On top of all that, we soon found out that Kleinberg is a consummate host. She greeted us when we arrived with freshly baked cookies and muffins set on the table next to a bottle of wine. But she is attuned to her guests and seemed to know when to be friendly and when to give us space.
Of all the places that I have stayed in so far, this was the first place that actually felt like a bed & breakfast. Kleinberg, who lives on the first floor, turned the top floor into two suites for guests, where we stayed, 13 October 2, 2014 weekend time out and has an additional suite on the ground floor.
There were other guests in the house while we were there, and we spent an enjoyable day together getting to know each other.
We stayed in the Emperor and Empress suites on the top floor. The Empress Suite has a canopy queen-size bed, a writing desk and chair and an HD flat-screen TV. The bathroom is all marble with a stall shower, plenty of counter space and a basket of soaps and beauty products. There is a shared living space between the suites with a small kitchenette, a couch and dining room table.
On the other side of the living room was the Emperor Suite with a fantastic Mexican-style king size bed, a small table with two wrought- iron chairs and an HD flat-screen TV. The bathroom has a full-size bathtub and shower.
The small kitchen has everything one needs. It is set up to fully accommodate Shabbat observant guests with a water urn, hot plate and fridge.
The house is located on the edge of Israel’s only 18-hole golf course. We didn’t play golf, but we did appreciate the sweeping lawn that gave a fantastic view from the wrap-around porch, which was accessible from each of our suites, as well as the living room.
We set the table for Friday night dinner on the terrace and watched the sunset as we ate dinner and shared the delicious bottle of wine provided by our host.
Casa Caesarea is great for a short visit and can also be used for social events and weddings.
■ For more details, go to www.airbnb.com/ rooms/410321 or check out http://casacaesarea.
com/ The writer was a guest of Airbnb and Casa Caesarea