The house itself was absolutely stunning and in a great location, it actually is better in person then the photos give it justice.
Unfortunately my experience with the host was very stressful.
Angie messaged me earlier in the week asking to know abit about our plans over the course of our stay and advising of the no party policy. I confirmed I was going with a group of girlfriends, we had dinner booked on the Friday and a tour booked on the Saturday. I acknowledged her no party policy in our communications.
2 hours before check in Angie called me as she didn’t feel I had acknowledged her previous messages about parties and she had had a recent really bad experience over Australia Day.
I reiterated our plans for the weekend and advised we were celebrating a hen however we weren’t having a party - merely a girls weekend. At no time was there going to be more then the max ppl stated on the booking at the house. (Note: Airbnb’a definition of a party is 16+ ppl gathering). I also advised the demographic of our group - all women/mothers in our 30s. Angie got upset that I didn’t advise her it was a hens earlier (I didn’t as it wasn’t your typical hens party) and stated she’d need to think about it - this was now less then 2 hours before checkin.
When she called me back she requested an additional bond of $2000 or she would cancel the booking as she didn’t want to take the risk.
I felt blackmailed into paying this as guests were already on their way and we had no other option. Not to mention I was also then late leaving over an hour because of this ordeal! I was extremely anxious and rattled from it all.
After our weekend I had to follow up Angie multiple times via message to have the $2k refunded. She could have been quicker with her responses given I sent the money to her with an hour of her request. Again I was left stressed worried that I had been scammed and wouldn’t be getting my money back.
All in all, beautiful house but I won’t be going back to one of her listings after that experience.
It felt as though I was bearing the brunt of her previous bad experience. If she was so worried I feel she could have called me days prior after our initial texts rather then 2 hours before!