My girlfriend (a Londoner) and I (a native-Washingtonian) stayed at Stephen's place for two weeks and don't regret our choice one bit. It's difficult to say all you want when a place exceeds your expectations, but I'll try anyway!
At Stephen's place we were located in a quaint, but still colorful area near Georgia Avenue. Although a quiet area, we had plenty of great access to public transport and conveniences a short walk away. My highlight about Stephen's location was that, while riding down 14th street on the bus, I could show my girlfriend bits and pieces (that haven't been stripped away by mediocre coffee shops, of course...) that made/make DC's funky and historical cultural fabric.
I can't say enough about Stephen's actual place, except that the little things he incorporated made our stay perfect --things a hotel just can't provide. The cleanliness, location, intimacy, and amenities give Stephen's place a notch above hotels for half the price. So thankful that this was our first Airbnb experience and that Stephen was a great communicator as well.
So yes, I recommend Stephen's place as much as I recommend one trading a day appreciating the White House and Smithsonian Institution to explore and learn about U street, attend a concert at the Howard theatre, and support a small local, authentic restaurant on 14th Street.