The downtown location is super convenient to everything. Was very easy to walk a few blocks to public transportation. Many cafes and restaurants nearby, plus the Vancouver Art Gallery and main shopping areas. Of course, being in the middle of everything also means that it can be quite lively outside, and there is a popular bar ("The Moose") adjacent with some noisy patrons at night. Many people living on the street in the area--not a problem, just something to be aware of. The apartment is on the second floor ("first" for you Europeans), so the noise does filter up. Plus, there's a beeping pedestrian crosswalk just below--nothing to be done about that, but it's annoying.
The apartment itself is in need of some love. As many people have pointed out, the beds and furnishings are very basic. Thin mattresses. IKEA furniture that has seen better days. And a large percentage of the vertical blinds seem to now be living in the closet, having fallen down one by one over the years. If you read back comments, people have been talking about the gap-toothed window treatments for a long time, and they need to be replaced. In the bedroom, there is also a small, damaged window looking out onto the balcony. It can't close all the way, so the soundproofing is completely compromised. If it were cold, it might have been uncomfortably breezy too. I mentioned this to the host, who said she was unaware of the problem, though reading back in the Air B&B comments, others had mentioned the window in the past.
With a small investment, these easy-to-fix issue can be taken care of, and it will be a great place to stay. Comfortable and super convenient. However, for my stay, it was just okay.