I was a peculiar kind of guest in Hernan’s flat among the Airbnb community because I took it for two months. But being a guest for several weeks should warrant the same care from the host as a short term one. During the first days of my stay Hernan was in touch and responded promptly when I commented that the iron was broken; he sent a new one with the cleaning lady. He answered quickly when I asked how to turn off the stove fan. Before my arrival he even bought a toaster because I mentioned I liked toasts. But once I had settled in, he became more and more aloof and hard to communicate with.

I paid for two guests when I booked, even if most of the time I was alone. When my daughter was coming and I needed the bedding for the second bed, Hernan sent me to the building cellar to find the quilt myself because it was not available in the flat. It took me several emails and almost three days to have enough info to do that and it was spooky to go down those unlit stairs to retrieve it.

My plans changed and I wanted to return the flat a week ahead of time. I wanted a reimbursement for the days I didn’t stay and Hernan said the Airbnb policy held. I went online and found that in long term rentals Airbnb does not reimburse the guest if you cut your stay short. I understood and accepted that. I then spoke with an Airbnb costumer service representative, who suggested to request from Hernan to voluntarily reimburse me the unused days. But he refused to answer my emails and phone calls with that suggestion and I could not return the flat a week ahead due to his lack of response. As I had to leave town, I proposed four days ahead of time with no reimbursement and Hernan finally agreed to answer me; he did so in telegraphic terms, sending the name of his cleaning lady as an answer to my question of whom should I return it to. I then had to contact her myself, as he did not bother to do so.

So my summary is that he was inconsiderate and did not behave like an Airbnb host.

The flat is very nice, luminous and has all the essential household items, except for a TV. It is also very well located, though the building is more an office than a residential one.