I booked this Airbnb, represented as a new listing and completely renovated without any reviews, because of the location, pictures, description and price. It was not what I expected but ended up being okay.
Upside: location was overall great (close to many restaurants, cafes, grocery stores and shops and about a 15 minute walk to the old part of Québec City and The Plains of Abraham); no cigarette smell in my unit; internet worked well the entire time and I was able to watch Netflix via the smart TV; and the shower temperature and pressure were great. Once the electric fireplace was replaced it added coziness and warmth.
A few other things to be aware of: parking garage is at a different address, a block away; heating is central versus unit-specific (ended up being warm enough once electric fireplace was replaced); the remote control did not work to turn on the TV, I asked and was informed that it needs to be turn on from the backside (but there was still poor volume control); mattress was super soft, sagging in the middle; the bedroom and living room are in the street side and you can hear traffic (I was able to adjust and sleep through the night); apartment is on the second floor; washers and dryers are on the third floor; the hallways reeked of cigarette smoke; and common areas, outside the apartment, are dingy.
Overall, I don’t think this would be a bad place to stay, depending on what you are looking for, if you are aware of what to expect.