I received helpful emails from Marcella leading up to our check in - we didn't meet in person. Accomm is well located. The apartment is compact suiting us well. I grew up in Randwick and returned to Sydney to visit family and friends. Being very familiar with Bondi I knew ahead of time to expect a lot of noise.

Apartment is located on an incredible busy, noisy, hectic intersection plus I visited over the Australia Day long weekend. The bedroom is on Old South Road so you hear 24/7 traffic - that being said my mum and 6 month old baby slept fine the first 2 nights and then suffered the following night.

We spotted a few too many roaches in the kitchen and the water heater died on us twice - the hand written instructions pasted on the cupboard where the water heater lives weren't helpful. Thankfully my brother who lives in Randwick was able to reignite the flame - after a lot of gas filled the room - yikes!

We used the apartment as a base to return from short day outtings to rest our weary feet and enjoyed the spa - a high light. We rarely cooked and placed anything food related in the fridge to avoid roach contact.

Neither the noise, water heater issues or roach dampened my return visit home. I enjoyed it all as it was as I remembered. I expected some minor obstacles given the affordability of this rental pad and we giggled at each incident. That said though, if I was to have stayed here with my very prim and proper (all must be new, air con and sterilised) Perth raised husband - oh boy - it was would have been a different story.

Neighbourhood was as I remembered; I beautiful blend of old and new, melting pot of cultures, and easy stroll to an abundance of awesome food, drinks, fashion and art.

I was transported back to my happy Sydney proud roots when I stumbled on a coffee shop that was literally a whole in the wall; I gorgeous bikini clad girl, a Jewish man in traditional attire, a mum and bub all waiting for their coffees while hard core 80's rap was playing in the background and all subconsciously bopping heads and tapping feet --- miss you Bondi!

Parking was no issue at all - We were able to find awesome parking for a Suzuki Swift on every return trip and I am happy to report that each time I lugged something bulky out of the car some nice passerby would offer to help - seriously!