Let me start by saying the views from this Airbnb are gorgeous— it’s the reason that i was able to remain sane. This was by far the worse stay ever in my life.
(Skip to number 3 if you rather hear why you are gambling with your safety staying here.)
1. Check-In: we arrived early and the Airbnb was not ready. That’s fine. The host, Marinos, insisted we leave our bags outside while we wait for cleaning to be completed, and to return by 3:00 PM (our normal check-in time). We leave our normal bags, nothing with our electronics, etc. we return at 3:00 PM— and still not ready. They were done by 3:45 PM. Still, we insisted the cleaners not to rush & tipped them well afterwards (it was extremely hot!)
2. Cleanliness: They had 2 hours to clean a 3 bedroom/ 2 bathroom place with 4 beds. No need to preface this but if you’re strict about check in/check out times, I’d expelling to be prompt. Once we entered, It wasn’t clean. The place had really wet floors and it created hot sticky feeling.
3. Safety: here we go.. around the premises there are warnings of the cameras recording. And it makes sense due to this particular area being swamped with tourist. The doors are to be locked with a key from inside (that is a safety hazard if you lock from inside and an emergency happens to where you have to get out you don’t want to search for a key). I initially thought that this was a door that self locked like all the places I’ve been to on Europe, most recently, Athens. You close the door; it locks. It wasn’t. No instructions were given other than to contact him, not to move beach chairs, and places to visit in the area, he does make himself available 24/7.
The morning after the first night… i noticed our things were moved… We were robbed in our sleep inside this location! Our euro cash gone. All of it. I immediately contact him via WhatsApp. He sends his employee (guy who was cleaning the day before, also someone who doesn’t speak any English). He comes over to only take pictures of the door. Not windows. Not outside doors (these remain unlocked and you do not have access to a key for them). Just door. Marinos calls me from the workers phone and tells me when i asked about cameras “oh they don’t work, oh they only work in the winter.” Goes on to tell me about not having proof that this happened and go to the police station. Following that conversation he sends me a text and mentions what his attorney has advised him. Considering I’m also an attorney, this serves less of a threat to me.
Moving on here are the red flags, things that appeared more Im hindsight… honestly i think it was his staff (which upsets me because we tipped generously… my family & i come from a household of housekeepers & working in the restaurant industry).
- how does the person who came in know we were asleep when we left the light on? Are there cameras inside?
- How did they know that despite all the warnings of recording around the premises and the OBVIOUS cameras that they weren’t functioning?
- Why did his staff come just to take pictures of the door?
I’m not implying that it was him; i truly don’t know. Everything conveniently fell into the hosts favor.
I have videos of the area. Videos of check-out. I was what he may say “rude” towards then end, but anyone who was robbed 2K in euros won’t be happy. Especially with how he handled things. At no point was i asking him for a refund. I informed him because i THOUGHT he would want to know what happened at his location.
He completely mishandled everything.
4. Check-out: i text him the morning of that i was leaving (around 9:11 AM). Made a video of checkout following his instructions to lock and throw the key through a window inside. He complained and told me i “should have” responded to his text the day before asking what time i was leaving. These instructions aren’t on your post. And YOU SHOULD have been more attentive after being notified of what happened— instead you were worried about your insurance. He was absolutely annoying at check-out, i had to tell Airbnb to inform him to not message me.
The safe box inside wasn’t working. Also, he’s been an Airbnb member since 2012 and has limited reviews.
PLEASE DO NOT STAY HERE. If you stay do, good luck. To Marinos— honestly look into your own staff. I haven’t been proven otherwise that this wasn’t an inside job. You cared about insurance; and disregarded the safety of us. It was my duty to make sure my family was safe. The money is nothing— safety is everything.
Whatever he replies with, likely absolutely false, i can care less about. I, am done with Airbnb as well due to this experience. Not ONE host has ever had an issue with us.
In the end your place is NOT safe.