I was performing at The Edinburgh Festival and needed some cheap central accom for the last five nights. Colin's place was relatively good value, although I have only given four stars because nowhere is really good value for money during the Fringe. The room was as advertised, clean and comfortable, although the walls could do with a lick of paint as there is some staining on one of them, but this was, as he has noted in a previous post, an aesthetic rather than cleanliness issue and didn't bother me unduly. Communication was excellent. I didn't meet Colin but did meet Hermina once and she was very friendly and welcoming. We were all keeping odd hours as I was performing late and she works night shifts as a nurse. Colin also gave me a little wiggle room on check in and check out times which was hugely appreciated.
The place was cheap and cheerful, in a perfect location and didn't pretend to be anything it wasn't. However, I have only given four stars for a couple of reasons. I do think a lock on the bedroom would be a good idea. I found Hermina & Colin to be entirely trustworthy hosts, but you don't know that before you arrive and a little security is always nice. Having said that, it is a home and maybe they are not comfortable with that, which is their perogative.
The real reason for the dropped star is the bathroom, which I think may be the tiniest I have ever been in. The cistern was broken and had to be operated by a piece of string, which was fine, but not exactly what I'd expect. There is no lock on the door, which I don't think is acceptable. My main problem was not the size, but the fact there was no mirror, and as a bearded man who wet-shaves his head that was almost impossible to do, and I ended up squatting n the bath with the mirror from my room. Not a great mental image but falling over in the bath as I did so wasn't great either. Just a mirror above the sink should not be too much to ask. The shower, by the way, is great.
So, sorry for the negatives. I had a very pleasant stay and the room was exactly what I required - somewhere comfortable to lay my head for five nights. I just think there were a coule of shortcomings that could be very easily resolved, and for an outlay of almost £100 a night (I realise some of that is just AirBnB charges & it was Fringe time) I hope it doesn't seem unreasonable to hope that they will be for future guests.