Emarald Haven

We had a good stay at Emarald Haven and overall felt it was a very good value, especially compared with Fairbanks hotel prices during the summer. The apartment was clean and comfortable, with a nicely updated kitchen and bathroom. The shower was especially nice, and having a full kitchen and washer/dryer was very convenient for a longer stay. We also really enjoyed the hot tub—it was clean, warm, covered, and worked perfectly. The hosts confirmed that we were welcome to use the shared porch, hot tub, grill, and other outdoor amenities on the property. There are a few things future guests may want to know, outlined below. Those issues aside, the actual living space is quite nice. The beds and living area were comfortable, the kitchen and bathroom were attractive and functional, and we had plenty of room. We had no problems with other guests or vehicles during our stay, and we enjoyed having the outdoor amenities available to us. Overall, Emarald Haven worked very well for our week in Fairbanks and was a much better value for our group than staying in a hotel. Most of the things we noticed seem very fixable. With clearer arrival and check-out instructions, a better-stocked kitchen, some finishing touches, attention to the garage entrance and bathroom door, and handrails added to the stairs, this could be an excellent rental. We would consider staying here again.

The apartment has a somewhat unusual split-level layout with several sets of stairs, and there are currently no handrails. This was difficult for one member of our group who relies on railings when using stairs. There is also no direct access from the apartment to the porch, hot tub, or backyard. To use these amenities, we had to exit the apartment, walk around the front of the house, and enter the shared backyard and porch area from outside. We were initially unsure whether these spaces were available for our use, but the hosts confirmed that we were welcome to use everything on the property. The apartment is a basement unit, and the only exterior windows are in the two bedrooms; there are no windows in the living room or kitchen. The bathroom door also stuck badly enough that we learned not to close it completely. There were a few other signs that work on the property is still being completed, including some unfinished electrical/utility areas. The kitchen itself is attractive and has newer appliances, but it could use a little more attention to the practical details. The cabinets and drawers did not yet have handles or pulls installed, and the kitchen was fairly lightly stocked. Although the apartment accommodates four guests, there were only three complete place settings. A few additional dishes, utensils, cookware, and basic kitchen supplies -- including a baking sheet and cutting board -- would make the space much more convenient for families or longer stays. We weren't given much arrival information about the property, so we had to contact the hosts to find out things such as where to put our trash and whether the outdoor areas were shared or private. A simple welcome sheet or booklet explaining the property, amenities, trash, parking, and check-out procedures would be very helpful.