This is a mixed review. I’ll start with the cons: At the end of my stay I was locked out (with clear evidence in my call log) for almost four hours without a passport, or credit card (from about 3am to 7am) because the host changed the code for the next guest. This caused a number of other issues for me inclusive of missing my bus to São Paolo, not being able to change my flight back to the US for a family emergency, getting sick (outside for four hours in damp clothes in a dirty hallway) and losing a work contract. I was told the police couldn’t open the door and I had no idea when or if I would have access to any of my belongings, or if the host had an emergency. Alessandra was responsive once she woke up but it was a bit too late by then . To her credit she provided me a partial refund because I burned a steel pan and left a small ring from a glass on wood that she said she will need to repaint (make sure you have new pans and a freshly painted bed frame future guests! :)While this was appreciated, the gravity of the incident was unfortunately minimized by the host claiming I had some kind of ulterior motive, that I “threatened” to call the police (asked the front desk if the police would be able to let me in). I am not sure what my ulterior motive could possibly have been and who would not try to figure out how to get into their apartment when they have been locked out without ANYTHING? Fortunately the next guest happened to come upstairs and used his code to open the door for me. Alessandra was very apologetic and communicated that she would in the future leave the new codes with the guard.
Other cons: The hallway is extremely dirty. There is often trash in the hall. There were cockroaches and ants crawling on the walls as well.
The apartment did not have a working microwave and Alessandra was unable to find someone to fix it during my stay. The air conditioning was leaking a little and Alessandra was able to find someone to come fix it but not during a time that I was home.
The hot water works off and on. If you don’t mind very hot or very cold showers you should be okay.
Pros: Other than the last night, Alessandra was great with communication. She offered to allow me to check in early and leave late. She was generally quite responsive like when the Internet went out.
It’s a great location! Very close to the beach. 5 minutes walk with grocery stores and restaurants in the close vicinity.
The apartment is pretty large and a stark contrast from the outside hallway. It is neat, clean, spacious, has nice touches like an espresso machine, coffee, double blinds. Really cute shower area, though a bit small.
The doormen are hit or miss. Some are really friendly and helpful. Some are not.
Outside there are alot of homeless people sleeping right by the door.
Overall a 50/50 experience. Airbnb has now changed some policies to better assist guests in emergency situations. Unfortunately, That change occurred after this experience.
I’m hopeful other guests, with these changes and those Alessandra will put in place, will have wonderful experiences. And up until nearly the end mine was great.