This was a four night whole house rental (exclusive use of the 3,250 square foot four bedroom, four bathroom guest house). The visit took place over the July 4th weekend. The group was to consist of two married couples, one in their sixties and the other with six children ages 5, 8, 8, 10, 13 and 15. Based on the guests' stipulation as to the size and composition of their party (which we made clear to the guests is one factor that we use in setting rates), we quoted and charged $750 a night (paid by the senior member of the party), not $850 as stated by the reviewer.

First, the men arrived with the six children who were all physically average to small in size for their ages. We had dressed the four queen beds and three of the twin beds. During the tour, we specifically asked the men to sign off on the sleeping arrangements or advise us of any change needed while the household help was still on hand to rearrange furniture and set up or tear down extra beds. The men gave their approval. Each of the two couples was to share a queen bed, two children would occupy each of the other two queen beds and two children would occupy twin beds. That left one extra twin bed.

When the women arrived, one of the men phoned to request personal items for the women and several extra sets of twin bedding. We were surprised and asked why. We went to the guest house to speak with the guests face to face. The women were in the first floor laundry room washing dirty clothes that they had brought with them. The children were jumping about on the Levenger furniture and Life Fitness workout machines. The women said that they wanted to use all available beds (and presumably couches) and "get their money's worth."

When my husband asked to speak with the older man in private away from the commotion in and around the laundry / workout room, the women strenuously objected. With that, we acceded to the guests' request. We soon learned that relatives of the group that booked were visiting Chicago at the same time. We observed their frequent comings and goings. The relatives appear to have stayed here as additional nonpaying guests. While our labor and costs for whole house rentals can increase dramatically with numbers of guests over 8 or for parties with a number of children, depending in no small part on guests' housekeeping habits, we likely would have allowed a few extra people without extra charge had the guests leveled with us.

As advertised, our food offering is self serve 24 hours a day and is extensive and plentiful. At all times, four or five 16 ounce boxes of name brand cereal are set out for guests. While a box or two might be opened at any given time, at all times, two or three of the boxes are sealed from the manufacturer. Our advertised food offering does not include "condiments," although we do keep a supply of salt, pepper and other seasonings and mustard and ketchup in a cupboard as a courtesy to guests who want an embellishment or would like to cook. If the reviewer intended "condiment" to include the non-condiments peanut butter and jam, sealed jars are available on request, although in eight years, no such request has been made by other guests, some of whom have traveled here for extended stays of seven to ten nights by private jet or have paid by American Express black card and stated that they were well pleased.

This group used all rooms at all times. The party came in several autos for which parking was provided. The women arrived with dirty laundry and immediately availed themselves of our free Maytag Neptune washer and dryer and laundry supplies. We cannot account for the odor reported. One bedroom abuts the owners' quarters. The other bedrooms on the third level are fifty to 75 feet distant, separated by thick walls and doors. Smoking is strictly forbidden indoors and does not occur to owners' knowledge.

The house was fully booked with whole house rentals both before and after this stay. We did not notice nor did the cleaning staff report an odor, as we ask that they do, and there were no other complaints. The third flight of stairs leads to a penthouse sitting area and rooftop gardens. The guests were not infirm and did not state a concern before reserving. Any sound from the elevated train that runs behind the building is quite muffled as the house is new construction with a double course of brick with six inches of dead air space in between and custom made triple glazed windows.

After the fuss about the bedding died down, no further complaint was noted and some pleasantries were even exchanged. We do not understand the reviewer's comment about not feeling "safe." We aim to please, but in order to please, we expect and count on an open and honest dialogue between guests and ourselves, including the number of people in the party.