Location is very close to the tube so that is good but I didn’t realize it wasn’t in the center (outer London according to a local map) until after we arrived.
Communication was quick at Checkin etc with self- Checkin and clear instructions but a main benefit of air bnb is hosts, especially in more distant suburban areas is the hosts local tips... We arrived not realizing we would be in a distant suburb and would have appreciated a little host interaction. We didn’t know if this area was dangerous at night or where we could find basic things we needed upon arrival.
The apartment was clean but apparently other guests trashed it the night before we arrived so one of the doors was broken, the walls were grotty and there was a “day after booze party” smell. I believe the cleaner made a big effort to clean it before our arrival but they just couldn’t remove the stench or the wall stains (or broken door) the same day... I realize they aren’t responsible for another guest abusing the apartment but It was a little disappointing that there was no consideration for this considerably lower experience in any form of discount on the premium price. To his credit, he agreed to let me cancel the 2nd night we ordered.
The apartment is nice and spacious but the bed mattresses are not comfortable - can feel the springs . Fine in a cheap apartment but if you’re taking premium price, the beds should be comfortable and human interaction should add local host value and the apartment should be sparkling clean even if other guests previously trashed it. Perhaps if there was human interaction between host and guests, they would feel and act differently about the post-trashed apartment when looking into the eyes of a mother with 2 teenage guests. It’s different when you meet the people. Less business, more personal.
After the 2 nights we had booked, we moved to a great 4 star hotel in a better location for much less money.... premium price has premium expectations.