We arrived during the check-in window, just after 8pm. The intercom code, necessary to enter the building, did not work. We were able to reach someone at the provided phone number, but he was unable to contact the local manager to address the issue (the contact we spoke with called us back from Nelson, BC). Thankfully, we were able to enter the building as someone else exited (which, for security reasons, shouldn't happen...but we were glad that it did, as we would not have had access to the rental unit otherwise). The elevator code and unit code did work. Further discussion with the contact person made it clear that (a) there was no one available that evening to address the issue and (b) we would need to remain in the unit until the next morning when it would (hopefully) be addressed. We had plans to go out that evening...instead, one of us walked alone to a market 20 minutes away to get some groceries, not knowing exactly when we would both be able to leave. At 7:00 the next morning, I received a message from the manager that the intercom wasn't programmed correctly "on the back end" - this is why the intercom code we were provided did not work. We were instructed to access the intercom under a different management company (??) and then use a different code than we were originally given. This did work, but it left me questioning the overall security in relation to this management company. I spent time speaking with Airbnb the evening before and conveyed that I wanted at least a partial refund - the host did refund us one night plus the cleaning fee.
The unit itself was fine - it was clean, for the most part (although we did remove plates to find hair on them). It provided quick and easy access to the downtown area (walking) and was close to transit. My primary concern, however, was the host's inability to address the access issue during the check-in period. Had we not found a way in on our own, we would have been left without accommodation that night.