After my 5-day stay in this apartment, enclosed you will find a glimpse of my experience. I wish it could have been a more positive one. I had been seduced by the pictures in the ad and quite a few positive reviews.
Pros
1) Unbeatable location.
2) Area with charm and full of life.
3) Charlie responded promptly to the reservation and sent helpful instructions that eased my way to the place.
4) The heating works well and you can achieve an ideal temperature by following the instructions indicated on the thermostat as well as good wifi.
5) The apartment has good natural light and adequate lighting.
6) It has the necessary utensils in the kitchen and appliances (coffee machine, dryer, iron, washing machine, TV set)
Cons
1) to access the apartment you will have to climb a narrow two floor staircase covered with a filthy carpet.
2) The communal area is, smelly and dirty; not a very welcoming sight.
3) You will notice a similar musty smell when you open the door and cross the threshold.
4)At a glance you will quickly realize that the place has seen better times: the cleanliness and state of the furniture leaves much to be desired. For those who trust that they will find what the photos of the ad shows, their hearts will sink.
Although, as I already mentioned, the apartment contains all the appliances you might need for a short stay, I cannot say whether they work cause I did not feel like using them, disgusted as I was by the way they look.
I was put off eating something or even making tea.
Also, I found toilet un flushed.
5)I missed basic supplies such toilet paper, garbage bags or soap. I had to get them myself.
I had reservations about unpacking my m suitcase cause as the cupboard floors were covered with an thick layer of dust and fluff balls the size of plums.
In sum the place needs more TLC.
6)The aliveness of the area turns out to be quite inconvenient during the night. The apartment is very noisy.
You will be excruciatingly aware the coming and goings of the neighbors, their steps so close that you will have the impression they will imagine they will lie soon in bed with you. You will also have your night enlivened with the music of the neighboring bars and the shouts and loud conversations of the drunks way into the small hours.
7)Last but not least: If you appreciate privacy this is not the place you should choose because the blinds in the living room do not work and you will feel as if you were on the street itself.
In sum, it has been a disappointing experience. I leave it feeling puzzled and somewhat cheated; wondering what others find acceptable and clean. I paid more than 7 hundred euros which is quite an amount of money for average working people. I was not bothered about the noise or lack of privacy cause I was assuming it would be part of the package given the specific location.
I was expecting something basic but clean and properly taken care of, not the Ritz or a luxurious place.
I hope this review helps motivates the landlord to consider some improvements so others find a better arrangement.