PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING:
Where to start with this review? I have used Airbnb without issue for many years as both a guest and a host (feel free to check my feedback) and unfortunately this has been the only negative experience I’ve had.
The GOOD:
- Location. The apartment is very well placed, close to transport links, great places to eat and all round a safe walkable area. The location is accurate.
- Communication prior to check in. We were provided with access codes in a timely fashion and getting into flat was smooth. Though the main door of the building is open 24/7.
The BAD:
- While the photos are of the apartment it’s clear they are outdated and very flattering. The apartment is smaller than it looks, the sofa isn’t the same as the photos (the current sofa is broken and uncomfortable), the “balcony” is more a patch of space in the basement area of buildings very overlooked and unpleasant. There were no duvet covers only pretty gross old blankets and stained poufs that in my opinion should have been replaced or thrown away.
The UGLY:
- We would have been able to look past the above negative points as it was a short two day stay however we had to check out on the same day as arriving due to the property being FILTHY. From grease marks all over the kitchen, food in microwave, stains. dirty cups in the cupboard, rusted rotten toilet brush, gross mouldy shower curtain (high volume places really do need glass!),finding used tissue down the sofa and more. The whole unit felt like it needed a deep clean which is bad enough in normal times but way worse when there is a Covid 19 pandemic on. It was such a shame but we couldn’t comfortably stay somewhere that had not been cleaned so we left and thankfully Airbnb agreed with us based on the numerous photos and videos we took and gave us a full refund.
THE WORST PART:
After checking out I sent the host Yiannis a short polite email explaining that I was sorry but we had to check out due to complete lack of hygiene within the unit. Explaining the issues and sending him photos. I even said that perhaps he wasn’t in charge of cleaning and it may be worth speaking to whoever is so this can be avoided in the future. Nothing could have prepared me for the rudeness of his response. He became aggressive and threatening saying that we were “blackmailers and trying to extort him”. He also said “he knows my sort of people” which I’ll leave you to interpret and started ranting about how we wanted a free stay and to leave immediately. We had left the apartment before I even messaged him and had checked into a local hotel so we could feel secure in a clean environment.
Honestly the apartment was a state but the attitude and intimidation we received from the host Yiannis was even worse. He made it clear that his “numerous positive reviews” mean I’m a liar and nobody will believe me if I complain but regardless I think it’s important for people to know who they are being hosted by and in the pandemic hygiene is so important.
After receiving the threatening messages I went back and read all his previous reviews. I implore you to do so too as many of these complaints have come up before.
Things happen and mistakes can be made with cleaning and so on. But treating guests with such disrespect and aggression is inexcusable.