This is a flat managed by a company, and not someone's home. As such you will find:
POSITIVES:
- Fast communication, as there is an office of people managing these properties. Do phone up if you have a question; airbnb messages were very generic.
- Central location - a lot of the properties in central Edinburgh are snapped up by companies like this, so it's a great way to be central for less than a hotel would charge.
- Professionally cleaned, includes linens/towels/soap, etc. Everything in the flat is just for guests, new furnishings, etc.
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT:
- Automated emails offering you discounts on tours, luggage storage, and future stays through the BnBbuddy website - a bit cringe-worthy, not very Airbnb.
- Because the company is managing lots of properties, they weren't able to accommodate early check-in. When you're dealing with an actual homeowner, in my experience they can always arrange for you to drop your bags off. In this case we were finally offered to store our bags in their office, but that was a 15-min walk uphill from the actual property.
- There was a load of washing (underpants?!) stuck in the washing machine. We were not alerted to this, which would have been helpful seeing as my guest had been traveling for two weeks already. I did get an immediate reply saying they would sort it out asap, but they never did.
Overall, I chose this apartment because it was centrally located, well-decorated, and more affordable than a hotel or apart-hotel. But I probably wouldn't chose to book an airbnb with a management company again, because I really missed the personal touches that airbnb is know for.