The place - The apartment appearance, condition, and furnishings excellent and are as described and Akora was prompt in communication as well as responding to requests regarding items in the apartment (e.g., request for missing cutlery, tub drainage, light bulbs).
Experience - The only thing that was not satisfactory about the apartment was its location directly below a separate unit that was home to a family with a child or children. Because the residents above did not have carpet or rugs, were inconsiderate of the noise they were causing, and refused to make any efforts to reduce the extent, timing, or duration of the noise,. I was awoken most mornings anytime between 6 AM on a week day to 9 AM on a weekend with the sound of furniture moving, items being dropped, and foot steps in hard sole shoes all on unprotected floors.
Akora always responded quickly to my communication regarding the noise and they communicated with the residents above regarding the disturbance; however, the situation did not improve. It's worth noting that the sounds were interior and of the same level they would be if they were in the same room or an adjacent room because they were transmitted directly through dense floors and walls--completely different than exterior airborne noises, which are common in an urban area and to be expected.
Airbnb - My experience ended up being very frustrating for the disturbance that I experienced as well as the time and inconvenience required by Airbnb to record and try to upload recordings of the noise and finally receive a credit and locate alternate accommodations for the remainder of my multi-week stay.
I find that Airbnb's intentional decision not to provide a place for critical information such as what floor the unit is and how many floors there are in the building (i.e., is it a top floor unit?), which way windows face (i.e., do they face the street or an interior court or an exterior circulation balcony?) is at the expense of guests and the convenience and financial benefit of hosts. Having to ask this information of the host clearly places an additional burden on the guest. The only way to determine if a unit in a multi-level building is top floor is to look for a sloping ceiling.
Akora - I have nothing but positive comments for Akora as a host and as a group of sincere individuals who worked very hard to try and make the best of an impossible situation--inconsiderate neighbors and a very bureaucratic process of communicating with Airbnb. I would most definitely stay at another place hosted by Akora.