The Good.
Overall: Recommend this AirBnB.
Location. Excellent! Close to two metro stops and IHOP, Starbucks, grocery, dollar store.
Host. Reception- Very accommodating. Our flights were delayed and caused our arrivals to be late. Host was understanding and gracious to accept our late arrival and check-in. They were also VERY quick and responsive through the AirBnB message chat. Host was also understanding of our check-out. They allowed us to be a few minutes late because of two trips to the airport (excess luggage after Christmas).
Space/Rooms. Very spacious, and everything was theme-oriented beautifully. Two bedrooms, one kitchen, one bath, and one living room; entire place could accommodate 6-7 people easy, and fit us four comfortably (+1 puppy). Street parking was always available, even during Christmas-time.
Kitchen. Fully equipped, fully functioning dishwasher. Griddle- very nice when we wanted extra stove top space to cook. Coffee pot- like-new and set up for lattes. Host left fresh fruits and homemade yogurt in the fridge.
Bathroom + Washer and Dryer. Water pressure was good, with enough towels to accommodate our group. Laundry detergent available and machines worked well. Washer has quirk where the lid needs to be pressed down at the catch to continue cycles.
Back patio. The second-floor patio in the back (sliding glass door) allowed us to take a break from the inside to get some fresh air without leaving the second floor.
Pet friendly. Nice, gated front yard where our puppy could run around and do her business. The waste bin outside was next to the gate, so we could throw away the refuse without losing sight of her.
The Bad & The Ugly.
Location. Nothing real bad to say.
Host. Being Christmas, the host’s family was visiting downstairs. Through the thin walls, we heard a crying baby 5 days in a row (5:30-6am). Once, baby was crying so loud and pounding on the high chair tray, we thought someone was knocking on the door. We went downstairs to answer, but realized it was the baby banging the bottle. A few days, host’s TV volume was loud enough we could tell which show they watched (6:30-7am, news & weather).
Space/Rooms. Overall first impression of cleanliness was poor. Bed linens seemed uncleaned prior to arrival, and smelled musty. Some were bunched in a pile on the floor (unk clean or dirty). Carpets had numerous (dry) pet-stains, which led to our puppy sniffing (kept a closer-eye on her). Cobwebs in the corners of the ceiling and dust in the rooms caused lots of sneezing. A small handful of infant teething-cheerios were left in one bed under the covers. There is no way to control the temperature for the second floor- living room is always freezing. We assume thermostat control is controlled by the hosts. Made for freezing nights and sweaty mornings in the wintertime.
Kitchen. Open-cupboard design cause dust on all dishes. There was a dead stinkbug in one of the glasses and a dirty dishes in the dishwasher upon arrival. Some flatware in the drawer had food crusted on them, like they went through the dishwasher but were not fully cleaned..and put away anyway.
Bathroom. One bathroom was slightly uncomfortable for four people in the mornings.
Back Patio. The sliding glass door was off-track. I tried to put it back on (I had one at my house), but it would not budge; very annoying for slightly OCD people like me.
Pet friendly. The hosts have their own pet, but it barks often and agitated ours every time. I think us returning late from visiting our family also agitated their pets.
Again, Overall- we do recommend this place because the great attention of the hosts is indicative they will take recommendations and make appropriate changes as informed. Because we visited a lot of family, and spending time in the city, communicating to the host became an afterthought, and less important with the pace of our vacation.