My first disappointing Airbnb Experience
When we arrived to check in at the villa, we were greeted not by the listing host but her business partner. Before we had walked in the door, he berated me for not messaging them about when I would be arriving ahead of time. He said I received an email with instructions. I went back into the messages and no such email was ever sent with any instructions. I tried to show him no message was sent but he continued to MANSPLAIN to me that I should know better. I kept my cool and continued to look through the listing to see – did I miss anything. The entire welcome was uncomfortable, and I was afraid if I pushed he would tell us to leave. My husband and I were shocked we have never been treated so rudely. For the record I did send a message two days before we checked in at 1:30 pm to ask if we could have an early check-in. The host said that would be ok. So, the host was aware I would be coming early and provided me her partner’s info to let him know. I messaged him the morning we were on our way to say we would be arriving on the ferry early that afternoon and we would head to the villa after. We declined his offer to set-up a transfer and this seemed to annoy him as we secured our own reservations.
He walked us through the house and the property and then told us – oh the WIFI is down, and we would have to deal with using our own data plans. He was trying to get it fixed but it would likely not happen for 2 days.
On Monday I sent a message to check in with the listing host and when I did not hear back 7 hours later, I checked back in to see the progress of getting WIFI I was told it was not going to happen. It was frustrating that I had to chase the host for communication. And we never got WIFI.
I will say the property is nice – but the bathroom in the main house is not next to the main bedroom so this is important to note if your someone who gets up in the middle of the night.
The bed and comforter were very comfortable. The view is beautiful. The outdoor furniture is relaxing. They left towels on our bed and robes in the main bedroom. But the 2 other places we stayed before us our hosts made us feel more welcomed with extra water and other goodies in the kitchen. This was not the same welcoming environment we experienced at other Airbnb’s in Athens or Naxos.
There is a maid that comes daily and stays throughout the day she does not speak English or Greek she speaks Russian – this was a bit awkward for us to have someone around while we were getting ready. We have stayed at properties where there is staff but they typically they wait for you to leave before they start cleaning up. We stay at properties like this to have privacy and though she was very nice having her cleaning up while we are trying to get ready to leave slowed us down.
It is also important to note that the ironing board which is listed as an amenity is kept in the maid’s area so if you need it after she’s gone you can’t get it.
I know it seems like I am being very picky, and the host will say I am being difficult but how you welcome someone into your home sets the tone and the way things started off had me picking things apart that I would have normally overlooked.