I haven't actually met Karin but I was welcomed by someone else who was very nice and helpful. She explained about locking the front door when going out and gave me a map of central Dublin, highlighting the main places for shopping and tourist attractions. I wasn't shown how to use the boiler to put the heating and the water on, but to be fair it's not rocket science. I figured it out and I am sure someone would have been available if I had gone to the flat upstairs to ask for help.
The studio is fabulous! Loved staying in it. It is really close to O'Connell Street where the hop on/off buses go from and the Airlink bus to the airport is just down the road. It is a really good location for anyone wanting to walk to the main touristic places. It is on the busy Gardiner Street but this particular studio has the window on the quieter side street. I am used to no noise at all at night so I was woken up by the light night traffic, but that's because I am a light sleeper. It is located in a popular area, but as soon as you step inside the house, it feels like you are in a very different area.
The studio was clean and I loved that there were DVDs available on the first floor landing. It was nice to relax on the sofa while watching Irish movies! thank you for making those available to your guests. It had everything I needed and more in the kitchen. Even coffee and tea was available when I got there and some eggs in the fridge.
The place really felt like home to me. I wish I had the same place in London :)