Communication and check-in needs improvement. The Host failed to initiate communication for both check-in and check-out procedures. The Host failed to show up at the agreed upon time, leaving us waiting in the street for a while. The guard let us in and we had to figure out what was what. Albaro apparently came by later to empty the washing machine but never stopped in to explain anything.
No instructions were given (such as wifi password, how to get hot water or anything about the house) until hours after we arrived, and even then, he said he would only send information if we had a specific third party app which I don't have, so he only sent very limited info.
The Host should be able to send info via AirBNB, email, SMS or other means. I asked for alternatives to no avail. As for an example to the lack of instructions and it's result: we didn't know how to get in or out of the street gate without help of strangers because the Host never told or showed us. The place where you put the keycard to open the street gate is not very obvious so we were left fumbling around trying to figure it out. This kind of hassle is not necessary if communication is decent.
He failed to communicate about check-out procedures until I initiated asking what to do. We were leaving early, and because you need a keycard to exit the private street, but also need to leave that keycard in the locked house, you need more than one person or creativity. He thus expressed concern about this after I had gone to sleep, but was sleeping by the time I responded (woke up from the partying noise), and so he wouldn't have been able to help if needed.
The house is much darker than the deceivingly brightened photos suggest. Also, despite communicating that the whole house including upstairs is our private area, random individual(s) were on the premise at various hours & times. He noted people may be using the washing machine or getting "things". This would've been nice to know rather than hearing or seeing strangers on the premises.
On the weekend, music, partying & singalongs could easily be heard from both rooms. This lasted until 430am. Also, turning on water creates loud noises which can be disturbing at night to whomever is sleeping. Also, the water heater is noisy if you need it. So while the description of the listing notes this as a "quiet" place, it isn't really. My friend had to use earplugs. I would say it's quieter than many CDMX residences, but it's not without noise.
The upsides are that Albaro seems a friendly person whom perhaps could benefit from improvement with communications and procedures.
The apartment has a well stocked kitchen (nice blender, ample supplies, etc). It is a "real" kitchen not some "only for AirBNB Ikea pretend kitchen". This is much appreciated. The washing machine functioned well. The shower has fair pressure & good temperature control. A garrafon of water (and backup) was provided which is also very appreciated. He also left ample soap, shampoo and other items.
The roofdeck is a nice place to spend time as the house itself felt a bit dark & clammy. That said, there is a unit up there and I wasn't sure if someone was inside there or not based on the traffic down the stairs. Albaro assured me no one was living there.
The layout is you enter the exterior door into the alley, enter another door into the living room (access to kitchen), then into one bedroom and into the next bedroom. If the back bedroom wants to get to the living room or kitchen without going through the other bedroom, you can exit outside through the alley if you have keys and enter again. Each bedroom has it's own bathroom.
The geographical location is nice, and the private street certainly has its benefits such as not having traffic noise, etc. Unfortunately it seems there is some bar over the back side that brought noise along with various barking dogs.
The internet was stable & perfectly adequate for all needs during my visit.
I would not stay here again although I very much appreciate some of the nice touches Albaro put into the place. If he makes some adjustments, it would be a much better experience.