To help set expectations for future travelers, I'd like to provide a more accurate and balanced review than the ones that were available when I chose this unit. The short version is that the unit is similar to what would be a 2-star hotel (having stayed in many hotels over the years). That doesn't mean it's bad, by any means, but instead that it has its pros and cons. Here are some more details:
Pros:
- I think it's pretty good value in terms of the number of bedrooms and people that it can accommodate.
- The hosts are very good at communicating, the check-in process was smooth, and they are helpful as issues arise.
- It was nice having a parking space behind the unit; there's street parking, but I didn't feel totally comfortable leaving our rental car in the street, given the neighborhood.
- As others have mentioned, it's nice that each bedroom has its own bathroom (though they're quite small).
Cons:
- The pictures don't show that the unit is right next to a highway overpass that results in LOTS of noise throughout the day and the night -- especially for the two bedrooms on that side of the unit. I'd taken along a white noise machine for the trip but even that couldn't drown out the road noise. After a terrible first night, we had to buy ear plugs just to try to have some sense of quietitude. There's a reason that all of the photos show the blinds closed -- the view out of most any window is quite sad.
- There's almost no good place for multiple people to hang out to chat. It's pretty evident that this unit was reconfigured to provide the maximum number of possible bedrooms and bathrooms, at the expense of common areas. The "living room" is a small balcony that's been covered and converted to be part of the house (its floor is still sloping). It's tiny. The kitchen is likewise VERY SMALL and can barely seat 4-5 at the dining table. So, know that this unit is basically just for people to sleep or be in their own bedrooms and nothing more.
- The neighborhood seems to be transitional -- there are some run down units and others that are less so. It didn't seem unsafe; but neither was it particularly nice.
- There are quite a few narrow and winding steps to get up to the unit. This won't be an issue for most people but if you have a member of your party who has limited mobility, it's a significant problem.
Again, though, I want to emphasize that this doesn't mean the unit is bad. If you have a true understanding of what the situation is like and your expectations match, then it can be fine. From the reviews that existed before I booked (and from the carefully orchestrated photos), I expected something substantially nicer than was the reality. I hope this helps people calibrate their expectations.