I’ve stayed in many Airbnbs before, from DC to London, and I have always preferred them to hotels, as you get the real feel of living in that city. I hate to say it, but this was the most disappointing one I have stayed in and I was shocked that it has 73 good reviews.
Cons
1.) This apartment building looks like it was built circa 1975 and has not been updated since. The railing to climb the stairs to the unit is coming away from the concrete steps, the unit below you has a little porch area that is overgrown and very dilapidated (there is literally an old pair of underwear laying on the porch that looks like it’s been there for months if not years) , the parking lot (which is your only view) was full of trash, even the doorknob to enter the apartment seemed lose in my hand.
2.) Once inside the feel of an old unit in much need of love continues. The pictures don’t necessary lie, but let’s just say they are lipstick on a pig. The owners have decorated the unit well, with cute pictures, a decent sofa, and trendy lamps. Unfortunately, the bones of the place just need an overhaul. The laminate counter-tops are peeling away (with some big chunks missing), the appliances are at least 25 years old, the flooring was not well installed, and although it was clean, I suppose, the age of it all just made it feel unwelcoming. I would not have wanted to cook in it.
3.) This feeling continues into the bedroom; the bedding was okay, and they have hung cute pictures and added a little bit of ambiance with lighting, but there are stains on the walls and holes in the floor.
4.) The bathroom is VERY small and again, very old and outdated. Mold was plainly visible in the tile and going up the wall where it met the shower. The shower head is hung low so that a person of my height (5’10”) feels they have to dunk a bit, but the biggest issue here is that the tub doesn’t drain well at all so that while you are showering the water is building up your legs, and that just makes me feel gross.
5.) This unit advertises a washer/dryer, but beware that it is not inside the unit. It is downstairs in a little coin-operated laundromat. There is nowhere in the unit that explains this, although the key to get into the laundry mat is hanging by the door. The info on the table telling you about the unit includes the code to get through the front door (which seems redundant since I am inside while I am reading it) but does not explain where the washer/dryer is or what the random key is for. I had to text them.
6.) The unit has one wall AC unit and not central air, so even though we had it blasting in the living room, it was still hot in the bedroom. And we were there in May. I can imagine that in the summer it would get very hot in the bedroom while it is freezing in the living room.
7.) I mostly booked this place for location. And it is true that it is comfortably in walking distance of Music Row. And this bit is on me, as I should have researched it better, but be warned that “Music Row” is NOT downtown Nashville, or where the excitement is, it is a block of office buildings that are music studios, and nothing to be of interest or see for the average person. Again, that’s on me, but be warned. The unit is fairly close to Broadway, which is the main drag and what you really want to see, but Broadway is a very long street, so to get to the heart of the city and all the honky-tonks it is about a mile and a half walk one way. Which isn’t too bad, but isn’t just a hop-skip and a jump either.
Pros
1.) The host is very responsive to texts. If you do have an issue or questions they respond quickly, and that is why this review is getting 3 stars instead of 2. They legitimately seem to care and want you to have a good time. They will gladly give you advice on things to do.
2.) Even though it’s really not what I would consider super close to downtown, Uber rides were only $4 - $5 as it isn’t far either.
3.) The hosts supply coffee/creamer and a few snacks. We did not take advantage of these, but shows they care.
4.) Netflix is provided which is nice, but I’d like to see them provide a DVD player as well.
5.) The neighborhood itself was okay and I never felt uncomfortable or in danger.
Honestly, I hate to say it, because I think the hosts are nice, but I would NOT recommend the place. At what it costs, I am confident I could have found a nicer place.