I hope this review w/its details can be helpful to others. I debated between a 4 and 5 star rating, but ultimately it earned and deserved all 5 stars.
PROS:
-Very accurate listing/photos
-VERY close to the metro train (1 minute walk), saved a ton vs using lyft/uber
-Pretty close to bars, restaurants, Starbucks
-A LOT of hot water (the 4 of each took 20 minute showers, back to back, w/no issue)
-Washer/dryer in unit (so helpful for a week stay)
-Helpful extra appliances (iron, ironing board, hair dryer, hair straightener, diswasher)
-Ability to grocery shop (fridge) and cook (ovens, pots/pans, etc.)
-Very responsive host, who also went the extra mile to allow us to leave our luggage in an empty unit when we arrived far earlier than expected (10am). (FYI: normally luggage can be "stored" in the open hallway, but we had too many bags to fit & also were uncomfortable with our bags being out in the open/unsecured)
CONS:
-Up three flights of very narrow stairs (luggage is definitely a pain; no elevator)
-Slightly unsanitary. The bath towels REEKED...BAD. Either hadn't been washed with soap or were left overnight in washer. Bathroom smelled HORRIBLE just from hanging them up & leaving them on the hooks after showering. Bed linen wasn't visible dirty, but is pretty aged, & bc of the towel dirtiness I questioned if the bed linen was actually washed as well). The apartment itself was definitely clean/wiped down though, so not a grimy place in itself.
-No grocery/corner stores super close (closest is Eastern Market corner store, a 10 minute walk & truly crazy prices).
-No Frills. No handsoap in bathroom. No provided toiletries period. Besides dishes/cookware, kitchen cabinets are TOTALLY bare (no spices, pam spray, aluminum foil, paper towel, trash bags, etc.). I did buy & leave behind some Tabasco (you're welcome). While host isn't obligated to provide these things, they could really upgrade the guest experience by spending $20 Dollar Tree for them :).
-Value: Depends on rate you book it at. We came during a busy convention week & paid $213/night ($303.96 including taxes/fees), which pressed the limits of it being worth it compared to a Residence Inn/Homewood Suites (which include free breakfast & have full in-suite kitchens). If you book at what seems to be its normal rate ($160/170ish), definitely beats hotels on value if you're party is 3 people or more and its a longer stay where using a washer is needed.
-Flexibility: Only book if you're SURE about your dates, as the host will not be flexible (which is reasonable & fully their right). When we arrived, we spoke with host and decided to book an extra day (until Tuesday morning) since our returning flight wasn't until 6:30PM Monday and there wasn't a way to secure storing luggage after the 10am checkout. Due to a hurricane coming to our home state, we ended up needing to leave even *earlier* (Sunday night). We told the host and asked if it was possible to receive even a half refund on the additional day we had just booked (Monday night). Host declined. TOTALLY understandable, but when she later reached out to ask if we'd for sure be out early (presumably to clean it and/or rent it out early, while also benefiting from our non-refundable payment), it left a bad taste in my mouth. However, this does not affect my overall rating b/c non-refunding was part of the policy we agreed to.
IN SUMMARY:
Ultimately, we got what was advertised and very much enjoyed the convenience of the location to the metro, having enough beds for each person in our party of 4- and we would stay here again :). Hope this was helpful!!