So, I have quite a lot to say on this one! I really do not want to be negative about the host because I know how horrible a bad public review can be, so please just try to read this as neutral and helpful.
Good:
- The location was PERFECT for going to the VIC, where I was working. The map suggested it was a 20 minute walk but I am pretty sure I did it in 10 mins every morning. One straight line, no turns, super easy and super fast.
- Beautifully decorated and spacious apartment. Coded lock on the building door and the apartment door, first floor, lots of windows, huge extra sofa bed. Cot available for baby (although we never did figure out how to actually use it and baby slept in the bed with us) (but that's on us tbh).
- FANTASTIC coffee machine.
- Next to an excellent gelateria.
- Nice walks in the area by the Donau.
- Near at least three great supermarkets (Billa, Spar, Aldi).
Not so good:
- The listing had advertised fans (plural) but when I messaged the host to confirm, they couldn't. They had clearly not been to the apartment in a while and didn't know what was(n't) there. However, when we arrived someone was just dropping off a huge new fan, so problem solved. (N.b. there was a heatwave in Vienna the week we stayed, with a 6 month old baby, so this was very important.)
- Halfway through our stay the building had a gas leak!! (!!!!!) I messaged the host, who just said to call emergency services. (I did; they only spoke Austrian; it was a challenge.) The host never came over to check in the 2 hours we randomly stood outside the apartment at night waiting for someone to check the basement. Other residents told us this had happened before! When the guys left, having not been able to identify the issue, I messaged the host... who just replied with 'okay'. Is it just me who is SUPER concerned about gas leaks??!!! The whole building smelled of gas, omg. Neither the residents nor the professionals seemed overly worried about it, which made us cautiously go back inside eventually... And I guess the building didn't explode, so, it's ok?
- The shower flooded the bathroom a few times (only use the normal shower head), and on my first try trying to stop the flooding I accidentally flipped the hot water way too hot and then spent ages with a hairbrush trying to turn it off again (couldn't reach tap as it was far too hot) (obv my own fault, just wanted to point it out).
- There was an odd smell coming from the sink in the kitchen.
- The host clearly manages some sort of real estate emporium in Vienna, so the stay was not very personal. I don't mind, but I know some people use AirBnB for interaction with locals etc.