get ready - this is a long one because i simply cannot say enough wonderful things about orlando or his apartment. this was hands down THE best experience i've had with an air bnb to date. orlando is simply THE most hospitable host, going above and beyond time after time, from providing breakfast every. single. morning, to making me dinner, to CONSTANTLY being available to provide advice about the city - i couldn't have dreamed of feeling more welcome or at home.
orlando made me feel welcome from the very start - meeting me at the gate, carrying my heavy bags all the way up the stairs, sharing everything about his home and truly making me feel like i could inhabit his space at my leisure. i was traveling alone and SO appreciated orlando's willingness to have conversations with me and check in about my days. he had the utmost patience with my slow spanish (even though he speaks english very well) and went out of his way to be extremely helpful with my grammar and vocabulary because he knew i wanted to know. he was attentive with my interests and gave me advice about things happening in the city that might be particular to my tastes.
and his home is as charming, well decorated and impeccably clean as it looks in the pictures. orlando strikes the perfect balance - he has great taste and cares for his home beautifully, yet is super relaxed so i felt cared for and comfortable in his home without feeling like i had to walk on eggshells at all. the bed is super comfy, the bathroom super clean with great water pressure, and the kitchen super well stocked and easy to use.
the neighborhood is incredibly safe and i felt great walking around by myself at night. it's super conveniently located - close to public transit and easy to get in all cardinal directions as needed, supermarkets and the mercado, lots of restaurants and food stalls and multiple ecobici stations.
i would stay with orlando time and time again and will recommend to any relative or loved one who is visiting the city to stay with orlando. he simply can't be beat. THANK YOU for such an amazing visit, orlando! you made my first time in CDMX the dreamiest!