Strengths:
1. Location: The biggest draw for this air b&b is its central location - easy walking distance to just about everything
2. Parking: Metered street parking directly outside of apartment with a lot close by for daytime parking (only downside to this - you need to be back by 15:00 to move your car) - however, parking in Montreal is going to be a challenge everywhere!
3. Space: small one bedroom condo with ample sized living area and small eat-in kitchen - ideal for 2 people - 4 adults would be a stretch (6 impossible as space small and no additional bed).
4. Free wifi and access to Netflix.
Areas to Develop:
1. Provide a welcome letter with any instructions and specifics about the apartment, such as tv, dish waster, extra supplies, garbage pick up, as well as provide recommendations for restaurants, points of interest, best parking, shopping etc.
2. Cleanliness: superficially clean and tidy but the floor throughout was a bit sticky. My boyfriend had to clean bathroom sink as it was smeared with beard shavings (this looked like a pattern at first), bathroom mat visibly discoloured and the bath had had a cursory wipe.
3. Furniture and fixtures: There is no bedside table or lamp, or other ambient lighting in the apartment - this would go a long way to making the place more welcoming and relaxing. The futon/couch is ok but something a little more comfy would elevate the space (not sure how comfortable sleeping on the futon would be - no sheets for futon. C) There is no dresser to put your clothing or even a place to put luggage - we had to live out of our suitcases on the floor. The small closet space that they did have was chock full of stuff so this could not be used - also there are no hangers in the bedroom.
4. Bathroom: comprised of a good size bath tub//shower, toilet and small wash basin (shampoo, conditioner & soap provided) but no washer/dryer. As sink so small additional space for storing toiletries as well as some hooks for clothing would elevate the space.
5. Kitchen: Nice new small appliances, counter top dishwasher , microwave, as well as full, apartment size stove. Adequate amount of dishes and cutlery (for 4 people); No receptacles for recycle/compost (in apartment) (Quebec has a robust recycling program we should be using it); kitchen was not adequately equipped for any real cooking; kitchen cupboards looked like they have been painted - and additional supplies have been placed in the bottom of a cupboard and not in a container (for cleanliness/hygiene).
6. Entrances: A) the entrance to the building is entered using a keypad - great for security but the front door (which I was told was freshly painted) was extremely sticky - to the point you needed to literally shoulder the door with your entire body weight (this got worse after rain - host said they would fix right away but did not) - no problem getting into apartment with second key pad.
Overall impression is that this air b&b was put together in a hurry without proper attention to detail - I don’t mind shabby chic, but I appreciate things being spotlessly clean! As well, this place could reach the next level if the hosts provided nice bedding, crisp clean matching towels, bath mat and matching white dishes and smart utensils. For us we like thé thé space to be welcoming and comfortable enough to hang out - we did not feel this - depends what you are looking for.