I spent one night here during a layover. There were a few pros & cons, but overall it was quite convenient for a night's stay, and in a convenient location. The space itself isn't one I'd want to spend much more time in however.
PROs:
– Quick clear communication. Didn't meet the host but coordinated with a friend of his who was in the apt. Marvin checked in w/ me to make sure I was settled in ok.
– 5 min walk from 747 airport shuttle drop off point.
– 3 min walk from the Cobblestone pub, where there's some gorgeous live traditional music sessions every night of the week. (It's been discovered by tourists, so either get there early for a spot by the musicians, or linger late till the tourists have trailed off)
– Nice coffee shop across the street, "third space" cafe on the corner, other food amenities and a grocery store on the same block.
– Comfy bed, quiet night (until construction started in the morning)
CONs:
– Definitely feels more like an AirBnB hotel rather than staying in someone's home. I hadn't really taken in the lack of kitchen access in the description, but there's complete lack of any common space, so it's really just the room, with all other doors in the space closed off so it feels a bit claustrophobic.
– Didn't realize that another room in the apartment was also rented out to other travelers separately... without locks on the bedroom door, there's potential for a random other traveler to go through your stuff if they're so inclined, which would be hard to sort out. (I'm not generally wary of this, but it feels different to stay in someone's home vs to stay)
– Was greeted warmly but quite speedily by a friend of the host who got me a key, pointed me to the room, and then went back into the living room & closed the door, as it seemed I'd interrupted a session of video gaming. While this was great for a quick layover night, I tend to prefer AirBnBs where hosts are interested in travelers and being ambassadors for their city.
– This feels like type of place where use of AirBnB is the primary / dominant use of an apartment rather than as an occasional extra revenue stream. This kind of thing accelerates gentrification, and this definitely feels like a rapidly fancyifying neighborhood. I'd just read an article in the Washington Post about Dublin's skyrocketing rents, and it felt like I was contributing to that problem through this use.
– Big window wall faces next apartment block's windows & staircase which are quite close, leading it to feel quite exposed, so the little terrace wasn't so appealing, nor did it lend to wanting to open windows for natural light.