Check-in was the worst ever in my life. I have never failed to check in any hotel or bnb no matter how late I was. But this bnb took my first.
Before arriving Melbourne, I deliberately mentioned my flight would be a bit late so some arrangement must be made to ensure the key handover. The host said she would take care of it but didn’t say how until I asked again roughly 2 days before my flight.
She then asked me for my email to send out instructions but didn’t send anything out when she got it. Due to her “relaxing” checkin style, I had to follow up with the checkin instructions 1 day before my flight and she finally laid her finger to press the send button. Apparently, the checkin instruction wasn’t freshly made and I had no idea what took her so long to send out. She told me she would let me know the code of the keysafe on the day of arrival.
After an ultra long haul flight, I finally reached Melbourne but when I tried to check in the bnb, I found out the code didn’t arrive my phone. So I called her, texted her and asked airbnb for help but none of this worked. I almost had to sleep on street!
Next day, she called me back and said she left her phone at the study area that’s why she didn’t pick up any of my call or text (it’s 2022 and someone still doesn’t keep their phone with them, very legit) and she actually sent the code but didn’t come through (sure sure). She was also willing to refund the 1st night rent (wow that’s super generous).
She suggested to figure out a time so that she could bring a bottle of wine as a compensation and I did try to arrange a couple of times to make it happen. Sadly, she always happened to be busy when I was free. She never arranged another time with me to cash her cheque. That just said how “sorry” she was.
By the way, I think Airbnb should add a “checkout” item on the rating lists because she was very proactive during checkout! This was her first time to actively reach me ever since I booked her apartment! 5 out of 5 in checkout!
Anyways, other than that, her place was beautiful, spacious and clean.
Prime location, particularly for those arriving from Melb airport because it’s very close to the CBD bus stop of skybus. At the skirt of the CBD but it’s near tram station so everything is convenient.
Make sure you know how to check in if you decide to rent her apartment.