The apartment was largely as advertised - convenient location, comfy beds, kitchen, fridge, aircon, balcony, reasonable price. We had a few issues:
- Main problem was not being in direct contact with host. This listing is actually managed thru ReadySet Apartments (who according to their website pride themselves on their analytics). When we had issues (see below) it took a few goes and some time to find anyone who could deal with it.
- The unit was in the Lighthouse. The concierge at the front desk has nothing to do with Airbnb nor ReadySet, so they have no responsibility to you as a guest. They might help, but they might not.
- Check in process at the accommodation was clunky. Needed to pick up the key from an almost bare store across the road. They initially said they know nothing about us despite me checking in 4 days earlier. I was given a number to call, and after 4 attempts at getting through, they then called the check-in person who gave us the key.
- The TV didn't work initially. We tried all sorts of things (press buttons, turn off/on, fiddle with the aerial cable) but couldn't get any reception. It took 3 calls to various numbers before someone responded. To their credit, they did then send someone cheerful who pressed a bunch more buttons and got it working (they don't know which one fixed it). An email to the host got a response after the TV was fixed.
- On the evening of day 6 the lock broke while we were out, so we couldn't get back in. A call to the usual number gave us an emergency number. They told us to try a few things (standing outside the door), none of which worked. They seemed quite put out by the whole process and told us (8pm Thu) to call a locksmith then send them the bill. We said "no, you call the locksmith", which they seemed very reluctant to do. An hour later a locksmith did turn up. He said the lock was cheap (typical of these apartments) and they often have to come fix them when they break. An email to the host when the lock first wouldn't work received a response the next morning.
- I bought 3 globes to fix the various lights which didn't work as I could find no spares in the cupboards. I told the host about this but there was no offer to pay nor thanks for doing so. (I also realigned and tightened up the toilet seat which was sitting way back and crooked.)
- The apartment was only approximately clean. It looked like it had been wiped over by my teenage nephew who was in a hurry. The counter top was smeary, the glass on the balcony was smeary, the bathrooms had minor visible mould in the showers, the inside of the freezer had caked-in gunk (which easily wiped out with warm water).
- The linen was nice and clean and there were sufficient blankets. The pillows however were all of the type that flatten down to cardboard thickness. Not the owner's fault, just something to know.