There are PROS and CONS to staying at Martin’s.
First the PROS:
Great location in the middle of everything! Good restaurants, bars, shopping, and easy access to the metro. The studio is very nice, looks just like the pictures, and is a good size for 2 people. The bed is comfortable, and the kitchen and bath are both good sized.
The CONS:
*Finding the place is difficult as was pointed out in the check-in instructions. The studio is located over a restaurant and there was a big white delivery truck blocking the view of the staircase so I had no idea where it was and drove around the block and down the alley several times. After the truck was gone it was obvious.
*Getting a full-sized suitcase up the small metal spiral staircase in freezing rain was quite a challenge. The stairs aren’t shown in the listing photos but a photo is provided in the check-in instructions. From what I could tell these spiral staircases are common in the area though some seem larger. At least I only had to do it with luggage twice – once entering and once leaving.
*As mentioned, the studio is above a restaurant so you can’t get away from cooking smells which start very early in the morning. There is also a tenant above the studio who is heavy footed and loud. The night before we left, I think they were moving furniture from 11pm to 1:30am.
*I don’t usually cook meals when I rent an entire space but I like having dishes for breakfast foods, coffee, and a glass of wine. I had to wash dishes and glassware before using them and kept them on the counter top. I found the glasses placed rim side down on a filthy glass shelf. I noticed it when I picked one up and it was stuck. When I removed more, it was evident that the shelf was covered with grease and dust. The coffee cups were heavily stained and the silverware still had food on some pieces. I didn’t bother contacting the host until the day before we left because I didn’t think there would be a solution other than to send someone over to clean the dishes which I had already done. But I did send the host photos of the shelf and coffee cups.
My general opinion is that it’s a great place if the small spiral stairs aren’t an issue, you aren’t sensitive to food smells, and you can sleep through people stomping overhead on occasion. These are things outside of the host’s control. I’m sure after this review, the kitchen will be much cleaner.