Where to begin? Let's start with a few experiences during my stay.
My Stay:
The second night that I was in Robert's place, the neighbor's house caught on fire. It was about 3/4am and Robert even paid me an early morning visit to make sure everything was okay. Prior to me finding out the neighbor's house was in flames, I heard what I thought was rustling and tapping at the window of the bedroom. I thought there was a prowler and I was going to end up on a True Crime TV show on some basic cable channel. During Robert's visit, he (and a firefighter) helped ease my worry, there was nothing back there. That's mainly just an FYI for anyone else who hears that rustling again, because I heard it the next day in the morning sunlight, so it wasn't anyone trying to break in. The only thing I can suggest Robert adding is at least a few sharp knives. The only sharp thing I could find was a fork, so I slept with that under the bed and a can opener under my pillow (in case I had to bludgeon an intruder hahaha). Okay, okay, maybe that's just me and my outrageous imagination, but it couldn't hurt...
The Space:
Let me tell you, I have stayed in some AirBnB's that look one way in photos and another in person (aka worse) and I was honestly expecting the same with this place. There was no way I was going to pay the low amount I did without it being disgusting, but to my happy surprise, THIS PLACE WAS GREAT! There was fresh bedding, a ton of towels, a tea/coffee cabinet, a separate water/snack cabinet (that came in handy when I got in at 4am and hadn't eaten in nearly 24 hours), and so many little things you might forget at home. Items of note are: 2 ply toilet paper (and SO MUCH of it... getting to an AirBnB on a vacation and seeing that they only have one half-used roll of TP and having to go out to buy your own sucks), feminine products to get you through any surprises, a high speed blowdryer (not those lame low power dryers like you find in a hotel), several body washes to choose from, and razors. These sound silly to mention specifically, but if you're a woman I know you appreciate this information. ALSO, NO BUGS!!!! Specifically, NO SIGNS OF BED BUGS! I know that this is me being particularly extra, but I am petrified of those things so I always rip apart bedding to look for signs of them. None here! And even though there are spaces under the doors and around the A/C for critters to crawl in, the only bug I encountered on my trip was a spider on the front door on my last day. Now that I've mentioned the spaces, I have to say it can get pretty cold. He has heat and A/C, but if you'd rather not heat the whole place up, I suggest nice, warm clothes to sleep in depending on the time you visit.
The Neighborhood:
It's a little run down, but I wouldn't call it a scary place. It's an up and coming neighborhood with plenty of hipsters. I read the reviews before booking and people had mentioned that their Uber drivers had advised them against walking after dark so naturally I was on alert, but I was staying at Robert's alone and routinely walked back between 11pm-1am by myself. I can't exactly recommend that, but I can say that I personally did not feel unsafe (although I still walked with the key between my fingers because momma didn't raise no dummy). Just like any city in America, keep your wits about you and be smart. For instance, don't drunkenly stumble home by yourself in the wee hours.
The Location:
I LOVE the location. It's just outside the French Quarter in the Marigny Triangle. Google Maps/Waze will tell you that it's a 30 minute walk from Elysian Fields to Canal St., but that walk does NOT feel like 30 minutes. I can safely say that I walked anywhere between 2-4 miles every day that I was there. It's so easy to wander, everything is pretty close to each other, and there's always something to see on your walk. You WANT to walk! I went to Kermit Ruffin's place in Treme when I was there, but was told that the walk back during the day might be possible, but was told to definitely get an Uber back at night. Unless you have physical ailments that prevent you from walking long distances, I do not recommend staying in the Quarter. It's overpriced, loud, and by looking just a few streets outside of it, you can find places like Robert's that give you access to the REAL NOLA, and not just the tourist Quarter.
Will I Stay Here Again?:
ABSOLUTELY. Robert was so nice, hospitable, and really thought about what one may need if their luggage were lost. I recommend this place wholeheartedly!