Abode XS House Stunning Architectural Flat

The location was convenient, but this stay was not worth the price. We spent three nights and four days in Abode’s basement unit, dealing with bugs, missing supplies, and management that rarely responded or handled things properly. They said this was the first time they’d heard about bugs and mentioned regular pest control, but similar complaints in other reviews make that claim hard to believe. We reported the infestation as soon as we found it around 7 PM on the first day and sent photos. We also said the shower gel dispenser was empty, laundry pods were missing, and we needed towels. We first texted the number in their Google document and got no response, then had to track down another number from the booking. We spent nearly half an hour killing mosquitoes and other bugs, which was a miserable start. By 3 PM on the second day, we still had no update or solution. The towels and laundry pods finally arrived on day three, but there were still bugs and no shower gel. The slow communication, unresolved infestation, and missing amenities point to poor management and maintenance. You get what you pay for, and this stay wasn’t worth it.

The space was good, nothing wrong with it, and the room was large for the price.

The building has an interesting look and some nice architectural details inside, but it’s in a very noisy spot. Traffic on Vine and the open-cut highway below goes on all day and night. We stayed three nights in unit D, where one casement window wouldn’t fully shut and let in even more noise. The owner needs to fix it. The loft bedroom and the only bathroom were both tiny. It was fine for a few nights, though I think a longer stay would be tough. One other thing to know: the neighboring building is a funeral home, so there may be activity downstairs during your stay.

I’ve been bothered by this stay ever since leaving, almost haunted by it. That may sound dramatic, but it’s the best way I can describe my time at Abode in Philadelphia. The unit did look like the photos, but it didn’t come close to the upscale hotels I’m used to on the West Coast. They seemed to cut corners everywhere. The towels didn’t match, and the soap smelled great, but there was hardly any. I’d booked nearly a week ahead for a weeklong stay, yet both the conditioner and body wash dispensers were empty. The strong cleaner smell hit as soon as I walked in. I told Abode, but they did nothing. I couldn’t use the patio at all. The patio window had a mosquito infestation, and the property’s trash was dumped right over the terrace. A small homeless population hung around there during the day, tossing cigarette ashes and butts over the patio. The mess was already there when I arrived and was never cleaned. I paid a $75 cleaning fee, and although the inside was “clean,” every exterior area was disgusting. They refunded me $33 to pacify me. The bedroom window was being used for trash and hadn’t been cleaned. When I opened it a little, the overwhelming smell of urine from the immediate area came in. I was surprised the company didn’t use some kind of deodorizing system for guests. They also don’t hire a professional cleaning company. I watched a family clean units during the week. They were clearly working hard, but the harsh chemical smell and stains on the furniture were noticeable. The last straw was how carelessly they responded when I reported the mosquitoes. I got bitten, and at checkout I think I may have seen one dead bedbug. There was no mattress cover, just a larger sheet. The stay doesn’t cost much, so I guess this is a case of getting what you pay for. Some of these issues could pose a health risk, and I think the ad gives a false picture. I wanted to love Abode as much as I loved visiting Philly. If you’re planning a visit, look for my reviews of other places in the area.