I booked Labis's place based on photos shown on the Airbnb site a couple of weeks ago. In them I saw a simple, but nicely made bedroom, white bedlinen and white curtains, kitchen with a microwave on a 'butcher-block' type wooden sideboard, and a chair. Main room with a white simple sofa, and a wooden long shelving unit. Photos also showed a rather old TV, but I later noticed it was taken off the list. I also looked forward to having an option to sit on the balcony, as the photos showed a white metal table and a couple of chairs.
There was no furniture on the balcony, only what looked like dried out olive plant, dead and chucked in the corner, and a rack with a pink patterned duvet drying on it. The description offered also use of a bicycle placed in the hallway, which I thought was a nice touch. Not any use for me though, traffic is too hectic in Athens, but it gave a groovy vibe to the place.
I arrived, got the keys from the neighbour. The place looked nothing like in the photos.
I spent a few minutes inside, took some snaps as evidence to send to the host, and as support to my cancelation, and request for a refund from Airbnb. I was refused a refund, based on host not accepting my claim, and in the numerous messages that followed the host listed all the improvements he had made to the property, new windows, new balcony door, meaning less noise, and being warmer. My booking was for two Airbnb nights, I was not planning to rent the place, nor am I potential buyer, that is just normal upkeep of a property. Also evidently the fridge and cooker were new. In the Airbnb photos view to the kitchen and bathroom was limited, so I had no idea what was there before. Kitchen and bathroom are very old, and look better in photos.
At this point host's messages started to get too personal, even claiming I might not understand Airbnb, might not have stayed in one before, or I might have had only one earlier booking, therefore I should accept a pittance as refund. Host also accused me of taking the duvet from the balcony, and making the bed look lumpy and bad just for the photo. I never entered the room. The lumpy looking bed was made before I arrived. At the end I had to ask Airbnb to help stop the host messaging, I accepted not getting a refund, but promised to review to hopefully force the host update photos to match how the listing looks today.
I later got an apology from Airbnb. I see the photos are now updated, and it is up to potential guests to either like, or not like, what they see. My stay in Athens had the price of two cancelled Airbnb nights, and a last minute booking to a hotel. It should not be guest's responsibly to fight for an accurate listing.
Wifi also doesn't have a password, I was told. I would definitively not use it.