I rely heavily on reviews, and so I am submitting as fair a review as I can, given the circumstances.
The description is accurate in a number of ways. The place was very clean on the inside, was quirky, and it is well located for visiting Pioneer Square. Takes just a few minutes to reach the waterfront.
What we were totally unprepared for were the dozen+ unhoused individuals residing in the vicinity. We were greeted with the pungent smell of urine at the entrance to the building. A man down the street shouted at us to stop looking at him. We weren’t. Most of the local businesses were closed even as we checked in around 6. The other few closed by 8. We felt increasingly uncomfortable as we saw the number of unhoused individuals increase and other tourists and workers disappear. We had chosen to stay in the district because we envisioned a vibrant neighborhood. Instead it felt locked up before darkness fully arrived, and we determined we had better curtail our own plans for safety reasons.
We have visited New York, Chicago, and Paris in the last 6 months, and are we are fully aware about “the sounds of the city” that Jane casually references in her description. But the screams and shouts throughout the night, coupled with the honks of cars passing through as they try to get individuals out of their way, are not typical of our other stays.
To make matters worse, there is only one “historic” window in the rental space, with no screen, and a only small fan. It had reached 80 degrees, and heat rises. Was warm. We could have carefully closed the window, but that wasn’t a wise option, as sweating in a closed room wouldn’t have proved restful. A small cooling unit would have helped the situation considerably. So we kept the window open.
I’m a heavy sleeper, but I was awoken 4 times by the “city noises.” Staying another two nights was not going to happen. One migraine was enough. We left by 7am the next morning, reaching out to Jane immediately. She did not respond until almost 4pm. We had contacted Airbnb for assistance, as we are out hundreds of dollars since we had to find other accommodations for the 2nd and 3rd nights. Airbnb said refunds are up to the host’s discretion, and they indicated Jane isn’t budging.
Jane is adamant that her policy is clear - no refunds. I would get that inflexibility if safety was not the issue. I sympathize with the plight of business owners. But Jane and other hosts need to be very open about the current conditions in the vicinity, and be more understanding (if they don’t want to prepare / warn their guests) to those who feel they cannot remain. It is different to stay in a hotel, where there are extra layers of security, where windows can be closed, and where more people are congregating. Jane’s place offers none of those things. Two times when we entered the building, individuals loitered nearby - within 10 feet. There was no attempt to follow us inside, but the possibility of such an attempt was very real.
There is a sign at the end of the street that reads The Skid Row Shop. It is uncomfortably accurate in the current time. I would not recommend Jane’s place or Jane as host.