Our experience with Christian's studio by the harbor was great. He kept in touch with us as we wound our way through customs at the ferry and was there to meet us at the door of the flat. He was cordial and gave us a quick but informative showing of the ammenities.
There is a chalkboard door as you enter with instructions, suggestions and greetings. It is a clean, crisp efficient space with a comfortable bed, a well stocked kitchen. The space has a small balcony that looks over the gentrified alley a block from the harbor.
My wife and I are big into walking a city and our accommodations gave us a perfect starting point and a restful place to crash after a day of exploration.
Christian was most helpful with recommendations for restaurants. The tapas place he suggested, provided us the best mussels I have had in years (and I am a chef by trade).
If we sound too effusive I will bring some back to earth with the fact that this is a flat in a city, by a wharf, bars and restaurants. A drunk sang down the alley at 2am. The trash trucks came at 6 to service the restaurant next door. The seagulls are many and loud in the morning. You may walk out the door into a cloud of BC's smoke-able drug of choice.
I, personally, have lived in urban areas as well as rural and each has it's own charms. This was very charming to my tastes and a great bouncing off point to our explorations of a beautiful and vibrant city.
My wife and I had a wonderful time and enjoyed the hospitality of Christian.