Sounds like very responsible parenting to me! You don’t always get what’s advertised, is the problem.
I rented a spot in Long Beach CA that sounds very similar. Disgustingly dirty. Can’t be sure when the place was cleaned last if ever. Furnished with what seemed like trash from the street corner, not even exaggerating. We didn’t choose that place because it was cheap. We chose it for the location and because we like to be able to make our own meals and that’s just not an option in hotels.