A very gruff introduction to what is a very basic airbnb riding on the coat-tails of a great location. The photos and the reviews are a bit misleading: we anticipated something a bit more spacious with slightly better amenities. We've stayed in a great many airbnbs in the past several years, here in Europe and at home in North America, and are rarely disappointed. Because we depend on accurate reviews and host photos when planning a trip—and because the quality of our airbnb is may be more important to us than some—our review follows:
First: The host was unable to meet us and so his neighbour intercepted us—somewhat unexpectedly, on the sidewalk rather than in the courtyard—just as we were puzzling out the location. A most unfortunate beginning; Vladimir was rude, loud, and disrespectful, though he did manage (without English) to show us how to use the keys.
The pros: location of course (but trams, trams everywhere); it's bright, with opening windows, and it's both private and quiet, a bonus in a big city. There are indeed two queen beds, one on the main and the other one in the loft; there are also two bathrooms, and a small day bed in the kitchen area (I'm not sure where a 6th person would be accommodated); the kitchen is certainly sufficient and there's room for four people to sit at a nearby table; the "conservatory" (a small covered balcony) does add a bit of character.
The cons: The wide-angle photos exaggerate the qualities of the space—not as "spacious" as some reviews indicate (access to the upstairs loft spirals right over the kitchen counter and the climb up is best suited for younger guests). On the ground level, the bathroom next to the master bedroom is just functional: not much elbow-room, low light, and bare-bones with no place to put any toiletries; basically a shower (with curtain) and a sink. The main/downstairs bedroom also has no place to unpack (the wardrobe in the photo is full of bedding, though there is some hanging space), and there is not much airflow. We didn't have the heart to go searching for the washing machine, which may be somewhere in the building. Perhaps it's all about expectation management—on both sides.