Apartment with AIR COOLER in Central London, near Marble Arch, Hyde Park, Oxford Street, Mayfair

Given the prices in London, this was a decent value for the money.

6.0

Roberta was a great host. She allowed us to check in early and met us at the building to show us in and hand off the keys. She was very responsive and addressed all queries in a timely manner. The location is fantastic - very close to bus and tube stations and close to Hyde Park for morning runs. The flat was clean and tidy. Roberta provided lots of nice amenities including an ample supply of coffee pods, fresh fruit and juice, as well as extras like toothbrushes and toothpaste in case needed. The kitchen was very well stocked and we cooked in several times. Wifi connectivity was good. Roberta provided our deposit back in a very timely fashion.

− The neighborhood was a little rough. Although Marylebone is fairly upscale, the street we were on is very busy and noisy, and not as clean as the rest of the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the windows did not block the noise from the street, including loud street racers and daily early morning trash pickups. The building is very dilapidated, with peeling paint, odors and old, stained and worn carpeting. It is need of a very significant remodel. The elevator was being replaced while we were there, so the flat was a fifth floor walk up (we did not use the secondary elevator that started on the second floor, except during check in). Although the flat itself was clean, there were a few roaches, that I am sure were from the building. The flat is hot, even during the cool weather we had in October. The dryer was broken during our stay, although Roberta was very kind and provided a mid-stay cleaning, with fresh towels and sheets.

Charged for 10 nights, left after the first, re-rented without refund

1.0

− This apartment is a scam. We paid for 10 nights (over £2,100) and had to leave after the first because it was an oven: no air conditioning, windows that barely open, and unbearable heat. The owner tried to convince us with a useless humidifier. When we left, she tried to cancel our stay as if we had never shown up, to stop us from leaving a review and to re-rent it without issues, making double money. We had to file a formal complaint with Booking to prove that we had indeed been there. She promised to refund us if she re-rented it. She did re-rent it, but hasn't returned a single pound: she has charged twice for the same dates. That should be illegal. This apartment is still listed despite being a scam and a deception: the building is dirty, deteriorated and unsafe; both main lifts are broken, and only a service lift works from the second floor, in a deplorable state. None of this is mentioned in the ad, as confirmed by other guests. I will report this case to UK consumer authorities and consider legal action. I wouldn't recommend this apartment to my worst enemy.

The stay was fine. However, the damage deposit has not been returned.

3.0

− The damage deposit has not been returned. We did not cause any damage to the suite.

5th floor Apartment

7.0

Roberta's apartment was well equipped and provisioned. Many varieties of tea, coffee, plus juices, milk and a huge fresh fruit bowl, plus biscuits, jams, honey etc. All modern appliances and whiteware and huge TV. Everything in the apartment was clean. Every kitchen gadget you could possibly need. Lovely to have a personal greeting especially when so many places just have a lock box. True hospitality. Handy to bus routes and Hyde Park. The apartment was warm.

− Only downside was the dirty condition of the actual building interior - hallways etc and the broken down lifts. Apartment was on 5th floor. A service lift was available only from second floor as first floor access key point was broken, however you could ride down to 1st floor. The loud street noise at night disturbed our sleep.

Great apartment, great location with lots of good food and sights

10.0

The apartment was excellent! The building it is in is a little funky, but you forget all that once the door is closed. Roberta has thought of everything to make your stay as comfortable as possible. From coffee and juice to fresh fruit and slippers, she had everything covered. Thank you Roberta!

− The building was a bit of a maze. But, after a few wrong turns we learned the right way without resorting to breadcrumbs.

Don’t book or pay the deposit, owner didn’t return our bond, they are thieves

1.0

Apartment was Ok

− We didn’t get our bond of £300 back, we left the apartment clean and tidy and didn’t have any breakages