This is going to be an in-depth review so be prepared to read a lot. :)
The Host:
- Beatriz was very nice and willing to make corrections if they were needed. At times it was difficult to communicate with her because of the language barrier. We would misunderstand each other fairly often, but we usually would find a solution. For those of you who are not multi-lingual, this might be a blocker for you.
The Place:
- I was in town for the summer interning for a company in the greater DFW area so I was looking for a place where I could cook meals, sleep comfortably, and live life somewhat normally in a temporary location. This listing will help you do just that, but nothing more. Its just enough to get by when staying for a short amount of time. In my opinion, this place isnt fully equipped for a comfortable long term temporary living experience. Below are some strengths and weaknesses of this listing.
The Good:
- The listing is a good option for those who would like to stay for no more than two weeks maximum. Everything is provided to make a meal or two and have a bed to sleep on. I liked that the unit was separate from the main house which provided some level of privacy.
The Bad:
- There were various parts of the listing that raised minor concerns. First, the kitchen and bathroom had water damage in some areas that lead to mold growth. The inner shower curtain was very dirty and in need of replacement. The freezer hadn't been cleaned and the fridge had left over food and condiments in it (not sure if it was intentional). Upon arrival, the place wasnt clean. It smelled like an animal was living there and to my surprise dog hair was everywhere, even on the bed sheets and blankets. These are very nitpicky things, but to some people they matter alot.
The Ugly:
- The listing is described to be in a safe and quiet location. From the few days I actually stayed there, this was proven to be totally false. After checking in on the first day, later that night I noticed various sirens in the area. Visable from the window, there was atleast 5-6 cops responding to a call in a nearby apartment complex. The neighborhood itself is fairly clean, although the surrounding area can be described as anything but that. (okay, Karen... :D )
- Noise was an issue almost every night. Whether its the host and her family in the house next door or the other bnb unit below, there was always something going on. At times, I could hear conversations verbatim from the house and downstairs and when I wasnt hearing people, a dog or pet was barking away. In the nearby apartment complex, the noise of car tires spinning out or engines revving to the point of shaking the house was common.
- This last point is the main reason why I had to cut my stay short. The listing advertises a washer and dryer where laundry can be done. Being that I planned on staying for about 2.5 months, this was one of the main reasons I chose to stay in this place. Upon arrival, I didnt find any washer and dryer in the unit. Instead, the washer and dryer are located underneath the stairs up to the unit, out in the open. If this isnt an issue for you just ignore this point, but I was very dissapointed that it wasnt mentioned that the washer and dryer unit would be outside and shared with the other bnb.
Ultimately, this unit is a good place to stay for short term visits. If you dont care about location or the various amenities, this is a good fit for you. For those who are looking for a more longer term stay, I would've reconsidered booking this place had I known everything outlined in this review beforehand. For these reasons, I had to cut my stay short and cancel the reservation to find a new place to stay for the summer.