Dirk was excellent in communication from the moment I first requested the stay in his home up until the very end of my visit. He answered all my questions prior to arriving as well as when I was staying there. His apartment is gorgeous and looks exactly as presented in the photos -- no disappointments whatsoever. I love the vibe of the neighborhood of Prenzlauer Berg. The U-Bahn is a very short walk from the apartment, a quick two minutes away. Numerous shops, markets and restaurants are right outside the door and within close proximity. If you want to experience what everyday life is like in a Berlin neighborhood, this is the place to stay. It is a lively place but the difference is you won't be in the mad crush with other tourists -- you would be mingling among the Berliners. I would not hesitate at all to stay again at Dirk's place and highly recommend it to all!