Mario`s apartment was new and clean and very light for a lower unit. It was comfortable, felt homey, and has a nice little kitchen and office nook. The king bed is outrageously comfy and the flat screen with netflix makes it hard to leave.
Mario is very friendly and responsive to all calls and texts. He made sure we were all settled in before he left, had a handy key retrieval if he wasn`t to be around, and even brought us a vase from his home when we showed up with flowers.
It looks like the back patio would be nice to use when it is warm. The unit is a half a block away from a nice neighborhood pub, within short walking distance to a great bakery, a good QFC grocery store, and Skillet restaurant for breakfast, etc. The whole Ballard area has good pubs, restaurants, and shops along NW Market St, Ballard Ave, and surrounding, with Walrus and Carpenter, Ocho, Bastille, Staple and Fancy, The Noble Fir, Hazelwood and Bitterroot all walkable.
We only wished we had had more time here and will definitely return to Mario`s apartment.