I'm really sad to write this review, but this was the first unsatisfactory stay I've experienced across numerous Airbnb locations around the world. On the plus side, the location is fantastic - a vibrant neighborhood with everything you need in walking distance (side note: I did come upon a mugging victim while walking after dark a block away, which isn't the hosts' fault, of course, but I still feel compelled to share a caution with future guests). Another plus: The hosts are also very fast to respond, and very attentive, and they provided very clear detail on check-in and check-out details, as well as good recommendations about traveling and touristing in DC. They clearly care about communication, and I really wanted to like the place, but too much went wrong during my stay to gloss over it.
Here are the negatives. The depiction of the apartment on Airbnb is misleading. It's not nearly as bright as the photos suggest, even with shades open and all lights on. That's mostly because it's a basement unit, which is not at all clear from the hosts' description. At best, the unit has a dim feel that makes you want to spend more time outside. It's also very humid in the basement (at least in summer, when I visited) - so much so that you have to run the AC below 65F to keep the dampness in check. Even then, my towels didn't dry overnight, and there was condensation under the Wifi box and one of the lamps. This was certainly exacerbated by heavy rain on two out of four days that I stayed, but I also visited (above-ground) acquaintances in the neighborhood who didn't have any dampness in their apartments. They also didn't have water come in under the door and soak the doormat - another unpleasant surprise. To add to all this, the stairwell is a fly breeding paradise, and it was impossible to keep the enormous flies out, no matter how fast I scooted in and out the door. It's possible they were coming through a gap in the door frame. The basement is also not built for tall people. I'm 6'6" and couldn't stand up straight in the shower; don't bother if you're over 6' tall. These things should all be made clear in the location description, because they're really not fixable - they're permanent features, at least for taller people who want to visit when it's warm and potentially rainy. Last, the hosts didn't know how to operate the TV (I figured it out; they promised to add instructions for future guests), and the Wifi didn't work for about 20% of my visit (probably also weather-related).