Book here if you want to risk being stranded without accomodation. Unresponsive and unreliable host - we couldn’t check in. We booked our stay back in January, that’s 10 months in advance. Margaret River has very limited accomodation, and it’s even harder to get a place during school holidays, and near impossible to find one on the day should your accomodation arrangement fall through.
When we booked it said instructions for self check in would be sent 3 days before our trip. The instructions were never sent. I waited, just in case but rang the host when we were an hour away since I still hadn’t received any communication regarding check in. Her mobile was off. Between my partner and I we rang at least 10 times that day between 2pm to 9pm. Four hours of travel with our 8 month old and we’re stuck sitting outside the place trying to get in touch with Airbnb to see what could be done. Airbnb couldn’t get in touch with the host either, and told me they’ll just cancel and refund me and I can go elsewhere for accomodation. Seriously, what the hell, airbnb? How are we supposed to find last minute accomodation during school holidays in a country town? Also last minute accomodations will be at least double the price. They didn’t offer to find us alternative accomodation. We were so stressed, plus it started raining and our baby was crying.
My husband (thankfully) found a half open window and we basically let ourselves in like criminals because we had no alternative arrangements. The whole time it felt like we were doing something wrong even though we had paid for the stay and couldn’t relax or enjoy the trip. We continued to try get in touch with the host immediately in the morning and again a few times the next day, they still had their mobile off. Super frustrating, we couldn’t lock up the place and our valuables when we went out because we still hadn’t been given keys. It was 2 night stay, but it was so unpleasant feeling like we weren’t doing something dodgy I was just ready for the trip to be done and it soured our experience immensely.
We left at 10am on check out day but couldn’t lock up because - well - no keys! And I get a message from the host once we’ve left Margaret River telling me sorry, SHE WENT ON HOLIDAY AND HER PHONE BROKE???! WELL, HOW LOVELY, AT LEAST ONE OF US HAD A NICE HOLIDAY. If ONLY there had been SOME kind of notice and reminder that you had paying guests arriving! If only AirBnB sent reminders that someone was staying, too (extra sarcastic here, because in my email there is an Airbnb reservation reminder 2 days before check in, and two weeks before check in).
Anyway, at least the place was clean and roomy - but their sugar jar was broken and had glass in it so we couldn’t even put sugar in our tea or coffee. The powerpoint in one of the rooms also doesn’t work.
TLDR: Book here if you want to risk being stranded in Margaret River without a roof over you, or hope to God a window is open that you can crawl through and feel like a criminal the whole time despite having paid.