This is certainly not “muy cerca” to Polanco. It’s quite far, and in a pretty bad area. I am pretty adventurous, and I didn’t feel comfortable going out at night right away. During the daytime, there is a market and a strong police presence. They are trying to make it a good area, but it’s not there yet. I learned the most from speaking with an uber drive from the north part of the city, who knew the area better than your average uber driver who immediately tells you that it’s a bad area and to be safe. The more knowledgeable driver told me that this apartment is in a pocket of an area that is ok, but the areas surrounding it area very bad. So as long as you don’t venture too far, you’re fine, even at night. That made me feel better, but still…not very fun for an Airbnb claiming to be close to Polanco.
One positive, I learned the word “robo” in Spanish, which I had never heard before. I was hoping they meant there were a lot of robots in the area, but alas “robo” means robbery.
And there is only one bathroom, not 1.5 bathrooms as listed. I really only need one bathroom, so I didn’t bother reporting this to Airbnb for a reimbursement for the mis-listing.
Other than those things, the apartment itself is fine. It’s a decently nice apartment. You can hear the neighbors and their baby, but the area is quite quiet.
But I think my biggest issue was with that I found the host very difficult.
The microwave didn’t work when I arrived on Monday. This is a big deal because there is no oven, so I had no way to reheat leftovers. Very important in a bad area with no restaurants to walk to at night! But the host ordered a new microwave online, presumably to save a few dollars, and I didn’t have a microwave until Friday. That’s more than half of my one week stay that I was without microwave. The host should have replaced it on Tuesday, as she promised. (I would have reported this to Airbnb if not for the lie saying it would be replaced on Tuesday. In retrospect, I should have reported this to Airbnb. But I think it was too late).
Also, I found the host very difficult to get alone with. Before moving in, she asked me for a lot of information about me, but then refused to give me the information I needed until the day of my flight, which means if I didn't have cell access (this is common when traveling internationally), I wouldn't have been able to get where I needed. Fortunately, I have a “works everywhere” mobile plan for one more month, but it was scary. During my flight, I didn’t know if she was going to send me the information I needed or if my phone would work in the new country.
The host also crossed some lines in requests/demands. After entering the apartment to install the new microwave, she told me to not to leave the TV in standby (I’ve seen estimates that the energy costs of a TV in standby are something like $5 to $10 per year) but to turn the TV off. And to unplug all appliances every time I leave the house. (This seems to be common in Mexico, I later found, although completely unnecessary). I understand that she pays the energy costs, but that’s part of the deal of an Airbnb. I’m going to treat the Airbnb like my home, and I’m willing to pay those pennies per week to leave the TV in standby and have it turn on quickly. These were unreasonable demands and I found them very obnoxious.
The host also at one point messaged me "Hellloooooo" when I didn't respond fast enough to the unreasonable demand, which actually did not ask for a response. This is what I would expect from a child or a maybe girlfriend, but not an airbnb host. I chose to block the host on WhatsApp.
Most obnoxiously, there is a tip jar in the apartment. And there is a message next to the towels saying something like "I'm going to charge you if you get these dirty." Sometimes towels get dirty, this is the cost of doing business.
I chose a different Airbnb for my remaining two weeks in Mexico City, and I’m glad I did. I wouldn’t recommend this Airbnb. It’s not a good value compared to others in Mexico City.