3* apartment in a 5* location.
No denying that this is a fantastic location, but the property itself leaves much to be desired and the initial attitude of Mabel, who wanted me to send through proof of ID as I was 'new' to Airbnb, left a sour taste before we had even arrived.
Check-in is unusual but perfectly fine, the stairs up to the property are bearable but narrow but when you get through the front door you will realise the property itself is very small - far more so than the pictures may suggest.
First problem with the apartment is there is a serious lack of storage, with one tiny wardrobe that one person will fill out in seconds as only half is hanging space. Upon arrival there were three hangers for the two of us... something that DID get fixed, but suggests that someone is not checking through the property with care when it is being cleaned between guests.
As for the rooms, the kitchen/diner/lounge is pretty basic with seating that does not welcome you after a long day on your feet, a kitchen with random food items left behind from previous guests (tin of peas and some chicken stock, anyone?) and crucially - NO ICE BOX in the fridge, so forget putting ice in your drinks if that is your thing.
The bathroom is cramped but functional, the bedroom is very cramped with a seriously uncomfortable bed that is RIGHT against the wall... so if you are a couple, make sure you don't mind sleeping like that. The bed itself has a ridge right down the middle so you will be sleeping at opposite sides and the bed linen could do with a revamp.
Possibly the most annoying aspect of the property is the use of dimmer switches with connected to LED lights that cannot dim. So you either have lights on full blast or have to deal with flickering lights if you want them down to night-time levels.
And then you have the general cleanliness of the place. Sure, it was tidy enough, but there were random items left in the property and a half-used bottle of mouthwash in the cabinet shows me shows me that someone is not cleaning this place thoroughly between guests.
But hey, if you want somewhere in Notting Hill with a great location and can bear some annoyances about where you are staying - go for it. Just be aware of the late check-in and early check-out!