When the listing says walker’s paradise - it means WALK! I’ve lived in DC before so anticipated that I would have to walk to transit stops, but realized the first day I moved in that “walker’s paradise” is a bit far fetched. It’s a 15 minute walk to the nearest bus station, nowhere near a Metro station, and there aren’t many convenience stores or pharmacies around if you just need to grab something you forgot at home, etc. There’s a local bodega-type store across the street, but if you forget a toothbrush, need a wall plug, or just need some nail polish remover - well, you’re at least a 15 minute walk and 5-10 minute bus ride away from a CVS. In short, not the most convenient place for a casual DC tourist. It’s also right off the street so if you call an Uber, your driver is literally going to have to park in the median to pick you up while you brave busy, oncoming traffic.
The place was neat and tidy, though smaller than expected and noisy. You can hear sounds from the people who live upstairs when they wash dishes, watch TV, or just walk around (which is to be expected), but it’s definitely not the quietest place to relax after a day of walking around. It’s nothing to take stars away for, but something worth mentioning to those who are sensitive to noises like me.
Laila was also a lovely host though - responsive and left us a nice bottle of red wine. The place had almost everything - pots, pans, plates, cups, toiletries, extra towels, laundry detergent etc. It was definitely made as easy to live in as possible for a guest and I definitely appreciate the effort on that part.
Overall, 3/5 - a nice stay, but nothing to rave about. It’s decently priced for a place to stay in DC for a week, but there are places closer to the city center around the same price point (depending on when you’re looking) that *aren’* somebody’s basement. If you want convenience and windows, this isn’t the place for you. But if you just want a place to crash at night that has some of the comforts of home, like a kitchenette and shower, this is the place for you.