First the positive:
Host responds promptly.
Well provisioned flat.
Brightly decorated.
Comfortable parlor.
Bus lines run by with stops down the block, but not nearby shopping or tube.
The downsides:
Location. Remote from tube into central London and elsewhere. Relatively poor shopping and nearby dining options. The neighborhood was spotty at best. FYI Knotting Hill slides north of the tube station. Who knew.
Neighbors were quiet, but quality sleep was in short supply. Barlby is a small but very busy arterial with heavy auto and bus traffic, including early mornings, and the railway tracks are close by as well, facing the second bedroom, all making sleeping past dawn tricky. Bring ear plugs. (Google streetview won’t show all this!)
Worse, there is a huge construction site located diagonally across the street to the southeast that is in excavation phase with heavy equipment.
We feel that this should have been disclosed in the listing as it certainly factors into the value equation.
Thank goodness the rates demanded went up quite substantially in the consecutive days following our stay, or we might have been tempted to extend for more nights, further compromising our London experience.
In a twist of irony, our Host held dear to her Christmas rate hike, so we thankfully finished our family reunion out in cheaper but much better digs in Kensington, in a much better neighborhood.
If you stay here plan on probably bringing along some toilet paper. Marina provides 2 rolls total for 2 loos, regardless of guest count or duration. The front garden entrance shows neglect.