Delayed writing this to give myself some time to think about how to write a review which will benefit others who choose to stay here.
There was a group of 4 of us who were visiting Manchester for the weekend. I was awaiting for Thembalani to reach out prior to arrival about check in, just to confirm the procedure and times as is the norm with AirBnb. I didn't hear anything until the night before and this was after sending a few messages. Eventually confirmed the Check in process, which was to Meet Thembalani at the flat and he will show us round. Great stuff.
When arriving at the flat, you are greeted by a 12 storey concrete flat, which is not made clear in any description. This block of flats is in the middle of an estate, just set back off the main road. This probably isn't somewhere I would bring my partner or recommend a family to stay, but it wasn't an issue for me and 3 friends, who would only be sleeping in the flat.
Both beds in each room were comfy, the toilet an showers clean and of good quality. In one bedroom the TV isn't and/or doesn't work and the TV's in the room are better than the ones that show in the images of the flat.
The flat does need some TLC. There are parts where the wallpaper is coming off the walls in places and there is a lot of stuff. By stuff I mean, old DVD's random suitcases on the balcony, just bits and pieces you may not expect to see when staying in other Airbnb's. There is a very small car park outside the flat for about 12 cars. We did not see anyone patrolling the streets at night acting as wardens and the car park was not locked as is mentioned in the flat description. The exercise bike which is mentioned on the balcony, is in a very tired and bad state. I wouldn't advertise this. Compared to other apartments, there are some quite high extra fees eg cleaning fees which we did question what was being paid for. The bedding also had small holes in both bedrooms
There is a shop on the main road, max 5 min walk and an ASDA 5 min drive. Very easy access to Piccadilly. We walked to the tram which for the one we went too, was about a 10 minute walk.
Upon reading back at the description of the flat, I can only describe it as almost a catfish of a flat. The pictures and description really add value to the apartment, but it does need some TLC. The flat was missing just a few bits which many people would expect as a standard. There was no milk and no cooking oil in the apart. The carpets were dated, along with the sofas and the kitchen was not in the best of ways or the cleanest. We couldn't get any hot water on the final day in the kitchen and therefore couldn't wash up properly. There was a lot of clutter around, which I feel, being on the 9th floor, probably wouldn't be there if the flat was lower to ground and could be easily disposed of.
Ultimately, if you are looking for somewhere to rest your head and have a base for Manchester central and your standards aren't too high, you will be fine here. If you are after somewhere in which you will spend more time in, I would strongly advice looking elsewhere.
Would we stay here again, no. Would I recommend other people to stay here? Only if you need somewhere to sleep and leave your stuff. Don't stay here if you are planning on spending loads of time in the apartment, there are much better places available.