Highlights
- great location, right by the beach.
- Secure entrance
- No street noise, quiet street but close to everything you need.
- Large terrace (would be nice for groups to drink and eat on)
- AC in living space and bedrooms works well.
- WiFi works well
- Great breakfast can be arranged. You should definitely try this. Very fresh and tasty!
- Good apartment for groups if you are not too concerned with “top quality”. Good socialising spaces and 2 fridges for beer!
Issues:
- Communication issues - better to have 1 person (we had 3 or 4 to start). Check in originally agreed as 9am then message received requesting 12pm, no response to further message until the morning of check in where I received a message asking when I was checking in. Early check in was provided in the end which was appreciated.
- Breakfast communication - I was sent a reminder to submit an order after my order had already been placed.
- Asked for help to make a dinner reservation for our last night. Difficult for non Portuguese speakers. No reply for hours until it was too late. Luckily we managed to walk to the restaurant and book in person. We received an apology saying we can count on him next time, not much use on our last evening!
- Welcome drink - not provided originally. Host mentioned that a round of waters would be provided. No water provided until message sent to request. Suspect it would not have arrived otherwise.
- Host advised worker would be attending to fix problem with air conditioning. Remained in Airbnb for their arrival, however nobody arrived. Messaged host later who advised it was cancelled and they would arrive next day. Workers next day arrived and stayed for a couple of hours. Not intrusive for use since we were only 2 people but could be intrusive if all 3 rooms were required.
Condition of property:
- General misleading photos. The terrace in particular looks a bit sad compared to the photos (missing the table and chairs). I suspect the parties have taken their toll.
- general poor condition (lots of signs of wear, damp on walls, dust, poor quality renovations, seals hanging off terrace doors, stained furniture etc). Beds were clean, however had some stains (looked like makeup). Mirrors looked like they had been cleaned with a dirty towel (streaks all over) Overall the apartment needed a deep clean.
- Terrace doors couldn’t lock (maybe there is a way we couldn’t figure out)
- Off smell in certain areas (landing outside the apartment entrance after the lockbox and before entering the actual apartment)
- Lots of ants in the kitchen area (even during initial introduction viewing)
- Loud periodic noise from master bedroom (to the right when facing terrace) bathroom. Loud enough that it wakes you up.
- Bedroom (to the left when facing terrace) has a worn / sunken mattress. Should be changed.
- Water pressure very low, sinks barely a dribble. Showers weak and not fully functioning in all rooms (overhead rain shower not working in 1 of rooms).
General comments:
- although not advertised, it would be beneficial to have working space. No desk, no table and no chairs. Could have been mentioned to us when we advised in prior communication that we intended to be working.
- “Shampoos soaps and conditioner from Natural Brazil” not provided. Just a couple of bottles with indistinct “soap” label.
- “Scented bedding ironed with essential oils”. This was not apparent.
- Pre-prepared neighbourhood map and recommendations not provided even though asked for numerous times (WhatsApp and Airbnb message). Drop box links in description don’t work. Some restaurant recommendations sent via WhatsApp, but not “hot spots”. Starbucks is not a very good recommendation... that was surprising. Still have not receive PDF guide after asking numerous times.
- Requested the list of “awarded best” recommendations as per listing description but not provided.
- Not a full kitchen, 2 fridges, microwave, small hob but no oven.
- No dish towels provided or kitchen roll.
Overall we were a little disappointed. The great location saved the stay. It’s an ok apartment, good for groups, but I personally would not recommend for couples or if you intend to work from the apartment. The problems may be minor but they are many, and are particularly noticeable when the description reads soo well and promises soo much. With some attention to details and some freshening up it could be great Airbnb.