Thanks for hosting me in Oia. The view was incredible and you were friendly and kind at check-in and responsive before my arrival - I really appreciate that and you arranging my transfer to arrive to Oia by van from airport. No sunset view from this air bnb, but even without a sunset view, I saw very pretty colors in the sky around sunset and sunrise from the patio and the cave houses and Aegean Sea were stunning to see right outside my door.
While I loved the view, there were a few issues that I just do not expect when paying $335 per night. The issues were issues I have never dealt with when paying so much to stay someplace. They are easy to address, take little effort or time, cost the host nothing or almost nothing, and would make for a much nicer stay.
1) WiFi - WiFi worked for 2.5 hours during my 4 night stay.
I wasted a fair amount of time trying to look up restaurant reviews or communicate with you using E via my cell phone outside on patio due to no WiFi. No 5G in Oia. No service in cave. This was a big inconvenience and annoying. No WiFi made it impossible for me to speak by phone with family, impossible to communicate via the air bnb app (problem for both of us), and impossible to get emails on time. Emails I needed - like your email confirming I could get help with bags when checking out arrived late - not till the day after.
WiFi was advertised as coming with the air bnb and I think if it’s not provided, it should be fixed or in the least, guests should not pay full price. I requested the password for the studio upstairs from you, which might have helped but never was sent it. If the host could not get the internet company to address the WiFi problem properly, there should have been another way for the host to make the situation better for me and that did not happen. I emailed multiple times to say WiFi was not working and was just told the company said it was working. But it wasn’t. After days of the problem, I suggested I not have to pay the full $335 per night due to no WiFi and no response.
2) the dehumidifier in bedroom has black mold inside. Black mold is not only ugly to see, it not healthy to breathe or touch and if guests are emptying out the dehumidifier, the housekeeping or host really needs to make sure the inside of dehumidifier is cleaned regularly. You can easily get water from the dehumidifier on your hand when emptying it into sink and it’s gross because the water is sitting in black mold. I am fine to empty the dehumidifier, but it should not have black mold inside if I am emptying it.
3) the fan by the kitchen was filthy - completely dusty on inside of fan and around blades. It needs cleaning.
Between the black mold in dehumidifier and dirty fan, I wondered if the inside of the air bnb was truly sufficiently cleaned. The air bnb looked clean and I saw a housekeeper come and clean, but the fan and dehumidifier made me nervous about if the place was ever deep cleaned beyond regular housekeeping.
4) one of the two lightbulbs in bathroom next to mirror was burning out and blinking. Bulbs burn out, yes, but that could have been checked before I arrived and replaced.
5) there was not really helpful guest information on paper at air bnb - only a single info sheet, mostly about Covid and Covid precautions, and one menu from a restaurant. Instead of just one Covid info sheet and a menu, it would be nice if there was a binder for guests. The binder could include a print out of the excursion options you kindly emailed me. Yes, I had a excursion list in email but still nice to have to refer to printed out. Other things to include in binder - a map of island inside, a list of Oia restaurants recommended, reference to closest grocery store, bakery. The check-in Covid info sheet could be in binder with all these other things.
The general check in info sheet that was mostly about covid was in plastic sleeve, but it had black spots on it and was wrinkled. It’s great to have COVID info, but I don’t expect only Covid info printed out and I do not expect the printout to be old and look dirty.
I do appreciate you telling me Ammoudi Bay has great seafood for sunset dinners and pointing out the rock people jump from into ocean and the castle for sunset views - all were mentioned at check in.
If these small issues were addressed, it would make for a much better stay. The air bnb has an outstanding view, the check in was fine, transfers to and from air bnb easily arranged, hostess was kind. Inside of cave was colorful and looked like in the photos on air bnb site. So many wonderful things about the air bnb and just some things to fix to make it worth the price to pay to stay there and more comfortable, cleaner, and more welcoming. For $335 a night, these are expected by guests and very minor things for owner of the air bnb to do.