My wife and I, a semi-retired professional couple, stayed in Apartment 1603, 7 Claremont St, South Yarra, for four weeks during April 2021.
Our hosts were Matthew and Celest. All contacts were made by Celest. We never got to speak to Matthew.
We sought a “home away from home” experience while we got to know Melbourne.
The apartment met many of our expectations, in terms of a well-located place to stay away from home for a month.
The apartment was very well located, being close to Toorak Road, Chapel Street, South Yarra train station, tram services and an abundance of restaurants within easy walking distance.
The apartment was well fitted out with a functioning kitchen, electric oven, gas cooktop, microwave, toaster, jug, dishwasher and a combined washing machine/dryer. The beds were comfortable, and linen was supplied. We were pleased a coffee machine was supplied. We were able to park our car in the building.
A good smart TV was included, and we found the NBN wireless service to be reliable and pleasantly fast.
We did have some challenges along the way and Celest was responsive to our concerns.
The challenges were:
-	We were only given one key on check-in and it took 3 weeks to get the second key – inconvenient.
-	Missing bulb in one bedside lamp – we purchased a replacement.
-	Batteries in 2 remotes dead – we purchased replacements.
-	Some overhead lights not working on the rangehood and in the ensuite – Celest arranged for their handyman to replace.
-	The extractor fan in the ensuite was faulty – Celest arranged for a replacement (took 3 weeks) – caused the ensuite shower to steam up.
-	One element of the gas cooktop would not light – Celest arranged for a handyman to fix (took 3 weeks).
-	There was no fire extinguisher or first aid kit on site as required by Airbnb.
-	Main shower drain was blocked – we had to remove accumulated “material” from previous occupants to avoid flooding.
Some general comments that would not be found in a well-maintained home:
-	Cleanliness was an issue – the balconies and windows were quite dirty – Celest did get a cleaner in to clean the balconies (but not the windows).
-	The rangehood (we cleaned it) and oven need cleaning.
-	The mattress protectors were dirty and showed stains caused by previous occupants.
-	Pillows and cushions were dirty.
Items that were just missing and had to be supplied by us were:
-	Wine glasses.
-	Table placemats.
-	Coasters.
-	Bread knife.
-	Egg flip.
-	Knife sharpener.
-	Toilet brushes.
Generally, the kitchen utensils, cutlery and china were incomplete, looked tired and could do with an upgrade. A repaint would help. The combined washer/dryer was not to our liking. Washing worked ok but drying was poor. A separate dryer would be our pick.
In conclusion, if this had been our home, it would not have taken much expense, or effort, to turn the experience into a real home away from home. A personal touch was needed.