My wife, [adult] daughter and I debated on what kind of recommendation to give Javier's apartment, and we still can't decide. We were there 7 days, so we became very familiar with lots of stuff. So much good, and some many things that need attention. On the whole, short stays for younger people might work better, but impatience can grow over longer stays.
The Good: Check in was flexible and great. Our plane was late and Natalia let us in after midnight. The neighborhood is great, lots happening and lots of things to walk to. Less than a mile to everything one would want; museums, night clubs, music dance and restaurants. The neighborhood was safe - men and women walking at all hours enjoying themselves. The social rooms are spacious, and the amenities are modern and sufficient. It was thrilling.
The Bad: - No information introducing us to the apartment and how it works, neighborhood recommendations, how to call a cab, etc. . Natalia offered to send us some information, but never did and never responded to our communications. Javier was slow to get back to us, too.
- We couldn't get a second set of keys, so we had to be with one another all the time. The intercom from the street to the apartment didn't work, so one couldn't "buzz" up for entry if locked out.
- The listing did not give proper attention to the 4-floor walk up and absence of an elevator. The bedroom is near the stairs, and there was no sound proofing insulation, so we heard conversations from the street, through the walls, and from the stairways. The street is narrow, and all street noises resonate up and down the block.
- The drains didn't work, the sinks didn't drain and the showers nearly over-flooded. Sometimes we'd smell swamp gas. I'm told there was not enough light in either bathroom to apply one's makeup.
- No microwave, no American coffee maker.
- Though the building is old, the apartment too is beginning to show its age. (Some of comments by others refer to a 2nd and 3rd floor apartment, so Javier must be running several. That might explain some different experiences.) Some doors stuck and were noisy. Drying linens and towels were left out drying when we arrived, several lights lacked bulbs, and there were dirty dishes left for us in the dishwasher.
So -- we recommend it - but for younger people and shorter stays.