This summer, we rented this particular apartment for its ability to accommodate a family reunion of 5 adults for one week before separating for another year. We also needed to work online.
You decide if this is the place you want to rent for $330 a night:
Minuses:
* Some kitchen shelves were sticky.
* Bed bug 'killer' spray visibly available in the closet. What we were breathing in during our sleep remains a mystery.
* One bedroom door does not close.
* Another bedroom door closes but easily opens if the wind blows.
* Wooden floors are terribly warped in the hallway and in every other room; even if covered with carpet the hills and valleys of the floor foundation are felt. For anyone with spine, hip, knee, or ankle issues, this could be a concern. I have knee replacements and had to use the walls to keep my balance.
* Wooden floors creak loudly with every step one makes.
* No privacy unless you are whispering. Conversations can be heard from around the apartment unless you reduce your exchanges to murmurs.
* Fan in playroom continually hits its own pull chain creating an annoying drone, yet the weather was too hot to turn it off.
* The second bathroom is tiny. No one over 5'7 could sit on the toilet without turning sideways. Same with the shower.
* No wifi for close to 24 hours: this severely impeded our ability to work, and generally communicate, online.
* Owner did not respond to written requests for help via the Airbnb website. Hours later, we tried her by phone, to which she responded telling us she was playing golf but that she did try to work with the Wifi service provider. About 15 hours later her nephew was called in to assist. Though he came an hour later than scheduled, the problem was fixed - for a while. We still had to occasionally rely on' hotspots' to cover for blank periods. By then we just wanted out of the place.
* Owner's communication skills were minimal. Do not expect efforts to bring closure to issues that upset renters. I called her to find out why her nephew did not come when planned, and how frustrated we were losing vacation time to the wifi problem. She did not call me back directly: the one who pays the bill on this Airbnb. Still hasn't.
Pluses:
Location: Historic district and very close to major thoroughfares, city life, lakes, and parks
On-street parking in front of the apartment
Spacious dining, living and game rooms, and master bathroom.
Bright and spacious kitchen
Entry hall for taking off shoes and hanging up umbrellas, etc.
Comfortable beds
Decent shower water pressure
Thick bathroom towels
Just enough garbage bags, toilet paper, laundry soap, and paper towels to last our week's stay.
In all, his particular experience was disarming, disappointing. Rent with a warning: despite its location, this place does not deserve the price tag it demands.