Michaels place would be a great spot for a couple or business traveler but was challenging and not recommended for families or those traveling with kids. Three main reasons:
1. Ease: We arrived on foot from the clipper and walked to the home with car seats and luggage. It was a haul. Only to discover that the key was located 20 minutes away (10 minute walk both ways). Checkout was not until 2:00 but the clipper arrived at 10:30 am which meant we had to sit at the Starbucks with all of our luggage until 2:00. I reached out to host several times to check in on an early check-in but only heard back at 2:00. I wish there had been more clarity around this earlier on. Once in the unit it was tough to keep the two year old from trying to climb into the loft. We also received noise complaints for our 30lb. Toddler running back and forth in the unit. On the plus side it was great to have a kitchen for cooking and a room with a door for nap time.
2. Safety: While we were struggling with luggage at the door, our son picked up a bloody syringe that was sitting on a brick in front of the door. A neighbor said the needle had been there all day. The cleaning lady must have walked right by it. We were pretty shaken by the needle and nervous he may have pierced the skin. It gave us pause about the area. A text to Michael received a reply that the place was secure. However on our first night we were awakened by loud pounding on the door at 2:30 am. We thought they would break down the door. It persisted for seven minutes but when we finally made it down the stairs of the loft to confront the noise, the individual ran down the hall.
3. Cost: By the time cleaning costs and fees were assessed we were paying over $110 per night and deals offered on the clipper would have allowed us a stay at The Empress for less. Considering our need for an early check in and late check out and the inability for the host to accommodate, we would not stay here again.
Location great, close to everything just not a kid friendly place.