Martin's apartment is spacious, the view simply a thing of joy and all in all this is a good base for those desiring quick and easy transport links to the city or to other key areas such as Toorak/South Yarra or St Kilda.

However, despite its outward semblance of space and comfort, the apartment is spartan, somewhat cold and anonymous. One of the great joys of using airbnb over the alternatives is that one gets a glimpse of a life lived elsewhere, of a host's unique personality; a window onto a world that is not your own. This is lacking in this apartment: you feel as though you are in rental accommodation.

The are two further considerations: firstly the area itself, though excellently located to go elsewhere, is something of grey zone. It has few amenities and is not a natural destination to go seeking one of Melbourne's many excellent eateries. The other concern is quotidian but essential: the shower seemingly has a mind of its own and frequently shifts between hot and cold.

Truly however, despite these considerations, ultimately Martin provides a clean, safe and well-connected apartment afforded with a stupendous view across the King's Domain that would suit a professional working in Melbourne or perhaps tourists already well-versed in this multi-layered city. Last word ought to go to Martin's brother who was, in effect, stand-in host: he was extremely friendly, reliable and approachable. He was also immensely helpful and I cannot praise him enough