Positive notes - the host was good at communicating, the apartment is large, and very keeps very cool during summer (we had 35 degree days and without air conditioning it remained very comfortable). Close to U-bahn, a good selection of restaurants and a department store over the road.
Negative notes - there were lots of elements that made this a disappointing property, and I am a very experienced guest. I was on this trip with my three children for a family holiday. I have already shared most of this feedback during my stay with the host - and post them here hoping the issues are fixed, or prospective guests can decide if this is the right property for them. I would not return.
KITCHEN: On arrival - the fridge was dirty with spilt items not cleaned and had previous guest opened and unopened drinks left behind. The draining rack had green slime on it and had not been cleaned. The kettle was so old that after making tea one morning, when we came back in the evening all the water had leaked out of it, over the bench, down the cupboard and onto the floor. The host did provide a new one, however this was arranged for a 9am drop off by Wilken and he did not come. I got up early to be ready to meet him! The other host Paul phoned 2 hours later and then came. The amenities list states a microwave and dryer - but these are not present in the apartment. The kitchen ware is limited - I thought one night I would make a sausage tray bake, but there was no baking dish. There is no toaster. There is no light directly in/above the kitchen making it very dark. The house manual says there is a "switch on the right of the cupboard" for the brighter light, this is not correct, the switch for fluorescent tube lights at the other end of the dining space, are a red switch, behind the easel (I had to ask the host).
LIVING ROOM: the TV had no remote control (I looked thoroughly, side tables, behind sofa, in TV unit which was stuffed with cushions/pillows). I told the host. Nothing happened. We could not use the TV during our visit. The sound-proofing/black out curtains are OK, but should be wider to cover the window fully. The living room window is right on the main street. Several nights we returned home and people were sitting in the doorway and on the ledge of the living room window sill. On 2 nights there were a few mums and about 4 young children - who had all brought chairs to sit right in front of the property, eating, talking loudly, playing videos on their phones, they were sitting in the doorway. They had to move to allow us to access the property and continued socialising right out front until nearly midnight. I realise the host cannot control this - but be aware/prepared that this will happen.
BATHROOM: The bathroom (small as per other reviews) had very mouldy grout in the shower tiles, very unappealing - and on the roof there was also mould. When I pointed this out the host said the ventilation was bad and recommended opening the window. If I opened the window - people in the courtyard would look straight into the bathroom! The bathroom needs a deep clean at least, if not retiling/ceiling painting. The shower has 2 heads and you can choose which to use - a square, overhead rain water style one, and a handheld/mounted one with hose. The rainwater one was so old that the seal on one side was open so the water poured out the side instead of through the little holes. The host arranged a plumber to replace the shower head.
BEDROOMS - there were only 4 coat hangers in the entire apartment, a short rack in one bedroom to hang them from and a few hooks in the other. There was no wardrobe, or draws (the draws in larger bedroom were stuffed full with duvet/pillows). We had to drape towels to dry over the dining chairs. If it was winter time - there would be no where to hang coats. It meant we were living out of suitcases. One bed base was so squeaky that it kept my daughter awake and she was distressed one night because she couldn't go back to sleep, it was so noisy.
CHECKOUT - I went to use the second key (for the first time) to open the back door (in the larger bedroom onto the courtyard) to put out rubbish and it did not work. It was odd that a key was provided that didn't work, but also a safety hazard that we could not have exited the building that way if needed. I reported it at the time, and explained the rubbish left neatly in the kitchen, which the host understood.
Overall, there were just so many items that really detracted from the property, and considering it had over 200 reviews and was professionally managed, I was surprised it had all these issues. As mentioned, the host graciously accepted my feedback during the stay and communicated well but they need to improve the property so it matches the price they are charging and provides practical, well considered accommodation with suitable, clean amenities.