Communication with the property agent through Mariola was very good. Some confusion between the agents and Vrbo over who was taking payment which was only resolved on arrival (Vrbo did confirm the booking from the start though).
The location of the apartment is great - especially for some fab tapas bars right on the doorstep. Easy to get to the main attractions too and it's a quieter area than in the new town. Tram & train stations10-20 mins walk. (Tram v easy for airport).
Our biggest disappointment was the outdoor space. The pictures on Vrbo make it look quite pretty but in reality it is the inside of a block of tall properties and is full of large extractor units and a bike store - including a large one under the window of the property which has arrived since the pictures were taken. It is a small area and doesn't really see much daylight - just isn't somewhere you would want to sit to relax at breakfast or the end of the day. We never used it, though had hoped to.
The inside of the property is looking a bit more worn than the photos show too. It has been redecorated (the patterns on the walls are mostly gone) but I'd say not that recently.
The bedrooms are fine and main room quite comfortable with aircon in both. Second bedroom wardrobe was half full of bits and bobs (door off the kitchen, old blind, heater) but was ok for a few days and there's lots of space in the main room.
We were advised there was a bit of an odour in the bathroom, which there was but not unusual in these older properties and wasn't bad. Shower was good and plenty of towels provided.
We also had a problem with the oven which tripped the fuse when we turned it on. This also turned off various other kitchen appliances. Easily fixed by flipping the fuse back up (Mariola very quick to respond and help on this) but we were then told the oven wasn't working. Perhaps should have been mentioned on arrival?!
All in all its an OK apartment if you plan to be out and about (as we did) but not really somewhere you would hang around and relax in - its quite dark with little natural light. A little TLC to fix the oven, tidy/freshen up would be good.
Malaga is a fabulous city and this area is great.