We booked Noel Park for a family of 9 ages 49-3. Finding a home of that size in the city was challenging and expensive so we were thrilled to find Orla's home. Orla was excellent in her communication and in helping us with planning day trips and answering our questions.
Due to COVID we had to cancel last minute and Orla worked with us to rebook (for a fee).
The Good:
The house has plenty of beds for a large family. Orla Provided a generous amount of food for our breakfast (and snacks) for several days. The home had a charming old feel. The bathrooms were clean and updated, ample hot water, and soap and shampoos provided. AC units on the two upper floors were much appreciated during the August heat! The proximity to the Turnpike Lane Tube station was very convenient, even with younger legs. A pram came in handy for our three-year old. The basket full of toys was greatly appreciated and plenty of children's books for bedtime reading.
The Bad:
The neighborhood feels run-down and not well loved. Not many good dine-out options, mostly small take-away places with global cuisine. It is not what I would call "charming" and the walk to the tube station is not appealing. The living room furniture was badly stained, sagging or cat-clawed. The yard and gardens were not tidy upon arrival, we spent our first morning trimming, raking and blowing the leaves that were on the deck and in the flower beds. We visited in the midst of a dry spell and after a week of extreme heat, so we understand that not much survived. But I would expect "tidy" (dead branches trimmed, empty pots stored or refilled with fresh flowers (not mosquitos), broken garden accents removed) and maybe a fresh hanging basket at the entrance as a minimum standard from someone letting their home as a business. Orla did send someone to fix a few small things and pullout back some of the dead plants.
In summary: One could really enjoy themselves here and enjoy this home as a convenient base to travel into the city. And I agree with much of what the other reviewers have to say. But I think a cleaner, better maintained space would have made me feel more comfortable and welcomed.