A decent charming place that can improve in the future with some slight touches for the following reasons:
PROS:
a) OWNER / HOST : Dana is a phenomenal person who is lovely, easy to talk to and funny. She makes guests feel welcome with her communication skills and speed at which she responds to your messages. She is warm, caring and understanding as well.
b) CREATIVE DESIGN : The house is very very old (and you can smell the old smell of wood / old house) but there were certain rooms that were designed nicely (e.g. the bedroom). The kitchen had a beautiful, uneven rustic table with chairs that go with the teak and colourful cabinets and armoires.
c) SMALL, ARTSY, "MILLENIAL", HIPPY CAFES AND SHOPS: The area is a bit run down but it looks like it is up and coming with some hippy cafes, shops and small artsy shops. The houses around are all old in the 18th - 19th century style with lots of colour. If you are the artsy, millenial, hippy, poet, writer, beatnik type, this would be an interesting cool spot for you. A lot of the jazz spots are in this location just a few blocks away.
d) GREAT TOWELS AND KITCHEN COOKING UTENSILS: The kitchen is well equipped enough to make dinner for four people or so. The towels were really great and soft.
MIXED FEELINGS: The bed. Although it is soft, it seems too soft that on some nights it gave me a tension headache as my lower body sank deep into the bed. It also strangely gets hot in the bed at night despite amping the AC to 67 degrees Fahrenheit.
CONS:
a) CLEANLINESS: I noticed that some of the spatulas still had grease on it. I had to re-wash certain utensils once over before using. The upper cupboards about the stove was also not so clean with slight grease on top and old liners. The couch also did not feel so "refreshed" as it had an underlying smell of human body grease as if people have slept on it. It needs a wash.
b) VERY STRONG OLD HOUSE MUSTY SMELL: This is something that cannot be helped but if you cannot stand the smell of old wood, old houses etc, this place may not be for you as the smell is quite overwhelming.
c) LOCATION: The neighbourhood looks slightly run down but it is "kitzchy" and interesting due to the many different types of houses with vibrancy and colour. However, the grocery store (Mardi Gras Zone) is more of a massive warehouse with little fresh veggies and meat. You would have to take a cab to another grocery store to get fresh meat and good veggies. Also, it is around 20 mins walk to the French quarters.
d) FRIDGE: The fridge may need an update as there is rust all over the sides. Although it still works well, the rust is unsightly, especially if it is near food.