At its best, the Airbnb experience includes a warm welcome from the host and a local orientation to the community you are travelling through. I’ve had many outstanding experiences with Airbnb, including in Tasmania.
This, however, is not one of those places.
Pros: this listing is one of two accommodations on a small parcel of land in a small rural community. The apartment is new, bright and the day bed featured in the listing photos is the highlight. A ceramic water filter is provided.
The beds are comfortable with newish linen and the pillows were of good quality. Be careful though as the bed casters are not secured and the bed moves very easily. The mattress is two king singles - not a king mattress.
The shower and bathroom are clean and there is ample water pressure and hot water. Adequate towels provided.
Cooking is by an induction stove top, microwave and electric oven. We had to clean the oven prior to use.
Cons: this is one of many managed properties in Freycinet by a team of hosts. The experience is of being a commodity and not a guest.
There are inconsistencies with the Airbnb listing. Checkin details were not provided 3 days prior but texted to you 10 min before the 3pm checkin.
We were called and informed that the host team would be unavailable and not answer questions over the period 24-26 December - save for emergencies.
There is no welcome pack to the area and details for local shopping.
The wifi modem is located in the separate accommodation. It is accessible via a signal booster next to the TV. The speed is not adequate for streaming - several buffering breaks. Wifi not accessible from the bedrooms.
We stayed for four nights over Christmas and were provided with 100ml of UHT milk and a small number of paper sachets of salt, pepper, instant coffee and sugar. There were 4 tea bags.
As a family needing to self cater over Christmas the kitchen was minimally equipped. No containers for storage.
Only 2 coffee mugs.
Late in our stay we found a laminated sheet stating that the reason for not providing kitchen basics such as cooking oil, salt etc was because of Covid-19. Guests were to receive a discount as compensation. Really?
Despite no cases in TAS for months and dubious rationale, It would have been courteous to inform us of this via the Airbnb listing - we would have stayed elsewhere.