Richards place is easy to find and in a very good location, close to the city centre via a the tram line.
Ricardo’s brother Harold was dealing with the apartment at the time and was very hospitable.
The place was clean and I was also able to wash my clothes as well as cook.
As other reviews state, it is more like having a small apartment to yourself instead of a room and usually Harold’s dog is quiet and never barks during the night. He has the balcony area to himself, or you can let him into the kitchen so he has some company.
Positives:
- Good location
- Clean
- Easy to access the flat.
- Harold was a friendly host and easy to speak to. Despite the language barrier, we managed to communicate ok via google translate, bits of English and bits of Spanish. He also printed my train ticket for me which saved me from finding a copy shop.
- The area seems safe and is a nice, quiet location.
- Other than Harold’s dog, it’s like you have the whole apartment to yourself....there is even a large mirror above the bed if you’re into that sort of thing (I guess it is Berlin after all).
Negatives:
- The cooker is basic and only turns up to number 3 so it can take a bit longer to cook/ boil water. There isn’t a kettle either to help with this, but that’s less of an issue if you don’t drink tea. There is a coffee making machine though and it’s only a minor inconvenience really.
- Harold’s dog is very sweet and usually doesn’t make a sound. He is a gentle giant. Despite this, there were a few times where he seemed a little distressed and barks at passers by or seems lonely and bored in the flat. Harold looks after the dog and he clearly cares a lot for him, but I feel that the situation would be better if the dog was around other people more often in the day for the dogs own benefit.
As a suggestion, I think if the dog lived with Harold at his place then the flat could be rented out entirely and for a higher price. I think a situation like this would both make the dog more happy and create a larger income for Harold and his brother.
Overall, my stay in the flat was very good. If you’re not freaked out about seeing your own reflection in the mirror above you when you wake up in the morning, I would definitely recommend staying here.