I would like to highlight that my feedback and review is based on similar BnBs where I have stayed in locations such as London, Cornwall etc where I stayed have paid almost a similar price.
On the good side , I would like to thank the host for the instructions given and the proximity as stated of the apartment was excellent. It was indeed 17 minutes to the city centre and your helpful hints of downloading Lothian Bus app , utilising the Bus service was excellent.
I do believe the instructions which you were clear, but I got a little confused little confused between 44 and 46 Stewart Terrace as there are multiple boxes to get keys. As soon as I stepped out ,there was an overflowing leaking sewer which gave a very foul smell. However , I would not fault the host here as there is little she can do other than report the overflow. Nevertheless, it was not too difficult to get in the keys. Once I had the key, I had to fiddle for sometime with the main door as the general expectation is that it is locked. However, I soon realised that the door stays open because of the broken lock and no knob on the other side of the door. Again , its the main door ,so I do not believe the host can be responsible but I still wanted to highlight it.
I opened the door to a dark corridor with a weird smell. This smell stayed on for the rest of the 6 days.
I found No. 7 with no difficulties, and opened the door easily. As soon as I stepped into the apartment there was this peculiar stale smell. I am again not sure what the smell was but even after spraying the Deodorant generously, it still did not go away.
I stepped in with my stuff in the reception cum dining area where the flooring creaked and the boards were loose. Stepped into the main bedroom and found some boards were loose there as well . The apartment did not give in a feel that it had been recently cleaned and found dust on the box near the mirror, the beds, the chairs etc. The bedsheets specially in the second bedroom, although didn’t have a odour but seemed very old and didn’t even seem washed.
The bathroom which has been refurbished is done at high standards and completely match expectations. However, the rest of the apartment even though had a fresh coat of paint left a lot to be desired. Lots of chips on the walls and wood, falling old wood, dirty cabinets left a lot to be desired. I do believe that major repairs are needed to have the apartment a more homely / BnB feel.
The first thing which I wanted to do at the apartment was have a relaxing cup of coffee, but took a hoover first and cleaned the apartment. As soon, I went to the cupboard to make the coffee, I found stains on the coffee mugs, which in turn were washed which could be used. The cups are also seeming very old with most of the crockery being chipped. This includes the plates and the bowls. They definitely need to be replaced as they seem to be very old. Again I am comparing with other BnBs , where I have used crockery which has been pretty adequate and clean. Here there were very few but old spoons and had no bowls.
I did tell the host about the the unclean kitchen and indeed acknowledge her proactiveness am indeed thankful and acknowledge that you have returned the £30 of the cleaning fees was returned
I had to fiddle around with the gas connection to make it work specially with the milk pan.
The freezer window did not have a door and the ice was completely frozen. There was hardly any space to even keep a tub of ice cream as a small little ice tray completely filled up the space.
I washed clothes on two occasions and the second occasion it tore my child’s Tshirt. After that I decided not to use the washing machine. Although the dishwasher worked fine, the plates which were available had to be kept slanted to fit in the small dishwasher.
Also, the oil kept in the cabinet is expired in March 22 and I decided to buy my own oil to cook.
As I am also a light sleeper, I would like the room to stay dark. However, as the East side was directly towards the side of the main bedroom, I used to wake up very early (5:30 AM) with the sunlight streaming right in. On my holiday, sometimes I wanted to sleep late but was impossible with all the light in . It would be nice if you could do something about the curtains.
Another small aspect I would like to highlight is the curtains. I do believe one gentleman in his reviews of the appt before had mentioned about the curtains not being dark enough.
I have not stayed in any other property in Edinburgh and my feedback is heavily based on the property I have stayed where I spent almost the same price.
However, this was an occasion where I felt was not a family place but more of a bachelor pad.