I booked this double room with Anick and Paul while my nearby flat of 25 years was refurbished. Anick and Paul made me feel so welcome and at home at a stressful time. Paul was always quick to reply before I moved in, and was very patient when I arrived with a lot of stuff! Although this large double room is advertised for some reason as a “new property” it’s in Anick and Paul’s home, and they have been sharing their home with students for many years, and now using Airbnb. As I needed to work in the evening and at weekends on my laptop, I was glad of the desk and this was one of the many reasons I chose this room. The basin was another bonus as the downstairs toilet/shower room is shared with another guest (the set- up in the house is so friendly and relaxed however that we quickly worked out a routine for sharing the facilities, which includes dishwasher - emptied by Paul - a washing machine and tumble dryer, and clothes dryers which can be left in the conservatory, although there was plenty of room in my double room). The bed is very comfortable, and the view over the beautiful back garden was lovely as Spring arrived, along with the birds singing. The room is at the back of the house, so very quiet even though the house is on a busy road. It was an added treat that Anick and Paul would cook a shared meal now and then, which was always delicious and fun! Unfortunately my stay was cut short by the growing crisis of coronavirus, and I and my fellow guest both left for family homes outside London in advance of the lockdown. But in the lead up to this crisis we met as a household to discuss how to work around each other in the shared space - a testament to our hosts’ kindness in ensuring their Airbnb felt like a home, not an impersonal hotel. It was a pleasure staying with Anick and Paul, and I want to thank them for their hospitality during my long stay.
P.S. As I live locally I did not need help with transport etc. But it was very handy that with the help of a London Transport app I could run out of the house as the bus came up the hill and be on it in a minute as the stop is practically outside. A short ride takes you to West Norwood train station and into Victoria station in central London in 20 minutes. Alternatively you can stay on the bus to Brixton tube station in zone 2. The Crystal Palace “Triangle” with Sainsbury’s, pubs, cafes, and restaurants is a 15 minute walk away. Hopefully after coronavirus lockdown this will spring back into life.