This was an unfortunate experience. As a SuperHost in America and a big traveler through Airbnb, I've never encountered a host like Elena. She truly surprised me in her aggression, refusal to carry professional integrity, and rudeness. I am not having to work with Airbnb's Resolution Center for the first time, as I am having a difficult time obtaining a refund for a booking that was misrepresented by Elena.
On Tues night I booked a stay at Eleni’s place at 6:42pm, while at the airport in Rome, based on her description of it being central and able to walk to everything. Upon trying to get a taxi there, each taxi driver looked at the map and told me that the address is not local or central - that it is not near city center as it says - and gave me Helpful information on location in the city. I cancelled the reservation at 6:54pm, 13 minutes later, and explained to the host that her description of the address is inaccurate. I requested a refund and she declined, first stating that it’s near a metro, then that she paid a lot for the property, and then that she had paid a cleaner to get the house ready for me (apparently this all happened during those 13 minutes at 9pm while I was at the airport.) I’m requesting assistance in obtaining a refund for misrepresenting her property and poor guest business practice. I am also a host, and I cannot imagine doing this to a guest after 15 minutes of a cancelled booking, when they are in a country that is not their own, trying to navigate a place that is new to them. This is the opposite of the warm, welcoming, helpful culture of Airbnb.
I do not recommend booking with Elena, as she is not trustworthy or reliable as a host.