1. Charming
2. ~CLEAN~
3. Fully stocked kitchen (and I mean FULLY)
4. Wifi, W/D
5. Host is textbook example of hospitality
Need I say more? Akosua's space is as delightful as she is. The place looks exactly like the photos--no instagram filter or photoshop lighting to hide the nasty, no tricks, no gimmicks. The space is large and has absolutely every little thing I need to ensure a wonderful stay in D.C.
THE SPACE: There's a desk full of brochures, a binder full of instructions... you know exactly what to expect. The bathroom and shower is small, so you really have to shower by yourself (in case you wanted to have a shower buddy). Plenty of linens and towels of all sizes for incredibly long stays. Towels are soft, clean, and stain free. The kitchen is so awesome I wish I had time to cook. There's cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, the kind of stuff you see in a nice hotel suite. The walls, floors, rug, and sheets are immaculate--no stains, unsullied. I'm usually pretty picky when it comes to mattresses (between firm and soft), but I had no problem with Akosua's.
COMMUNICATION: Communication with Akosua was incredibly pleasant. No one word/detached responses. She puts as much care and thought into the space as she does when communicating with me. Unfortunately we didn't meet face to face, but she really strives to be a 'real' host; you know, the kind that isn't robotic and from a faraway place. I was in DC for a conference so I was gone the majority of the day and evening as the studio is a little far to return to just to change and go back out for dinner. But the distance wasn't an issue for me.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD/DISTANCE: From the city center (Gallery Place/Chinatown metro), it's about a 15 - 20 min train ride, then a 12 minute walk to the studio. Some people might think the neighborhood is sketchy. Growing up in an area with lots of diversity, I didn't feel unsafe walking from the metro all the way to the studio (even with my rolley suitcase). To be honest, I had my rolley with me at 10pm on a weeknight and I practically every night I walked from the metro between 9pm and 11pm by myself. People mind their own business and not once did I get catcalled (an every day occurrence if you live in urban parts of California). When Akosua found out I was walking at 9pm a couple days into my stay, she asked me to check in with her to make sure I've arrived safely. Akosua does recommend that you Lyft to the studio at night though. But I decided to do me. Plus, I'm trained in kung fu and have been waiting all my life for something to sneak attack me (;