Raffaella’s apartment is definitely very nice and in a great location with all services you may need nearby. But unfortunately for the first time in years rented flats we have had a very negative experience.
Due to a 10 hours flight delay check in initially planned early morning could not be done since house manager Filippo had to travel for work. We were welcomed by her mum which has been very nice in trying to help but did not know the house very well (could not find out how to turn on cooktop or one bathroom light). Definitely understood the situation and agreed on solving it on the following day since it was already late to bother Filippo or house owner Raffaella.
Next day shower was not working (water was only dripping). Raffaella was very reactive and send a plumber to fix it on the same day, but her first reaction was to accuse me to have broken it since the night before I honestly admitted that I was able to take a shower so it was apparently working, though water pression was not very strong. Following plumber visit I received a message from Raffaella saying that shower water was ok and that it did not work because we had closed it from the shower head. Did not really understand what it meant but one hour after I received another message asking me what about the 426€ to be paid ? I called Raffaella since I thought it was better to discuss directly and at the end she said that she will pay. What a surprise when the same plumer came back a few days later for another issue and told me that shower had not been working since shower head was stuck with limestone and that nothing was broken !!!!
A second issue happened with the dishwasher. It went on properly but after 30 minutes (program time) it was not over so we had to open and saw that panel control was not working, neither the on/off button. In order to stop it we had to switch off from electricity meter, not being able to use the other kitchen equipments. Since Filippo was not able to come he send his dad to have a look but he could not understand either what was the problem. Plumber came on the following day only to close water circuit so we could switch back on the kitchen electricity matter. In the late evening Filippo asked if he could came to have a look and apologised for all issues suffered so far and confirmed that nothing had be broken and he also mentioned that he will think of a compensatory commercial gesture, even if we finally did not receive any.
He also mentioned that dishwasher will be fixed in order we did not have to keep washing dishes by hand but dishwasher was never fixed. No need to mention that while electricity was off the fridge and freezer were defrosting so I had to keep home to wipe running water in order that wood floor would not get damaged.
Another negative point is that major building works are in progress right under the flat occasioning a lot of noise which was kind of annoying since I was home working. Works are obviously not under control of house owner but we would have appreciated to be informed.
We were also surprised that only one key set was given since when renting other flats we are always given one key set by person. When arriving Filippo’s mum who had another keys set asked if we wanted it so we took it. We were told off by Raffaella and were asked to give them back saying we had agreed on only one key set and that if another key set was needed we had to informed with anticipation. Since we had different schedules and meetings it was very difficult to get organised.
Despite all issues we did not complain and tried to be accommodating since we did understand that problems may occur, even if I do admit that the probability of so many issues was unlikely. Law of series and bad luck I guess.
In any case one star goes to Filippo since though he could not be available for all matters he has always been very nice, polite, supportive and worried that everything would go fine in order we could enjoy our stay at the flat. And also many thanks again to his mum who was also very nice.
But altogether it has been a very stressful and very unpleasant experience since no one like to be accused of breaking things or to be told off. And last but not least, while redacting my review since I did not had the opportunity to do it so far, I receive a message from house owner saying that flat was left dirty and messy and that I did not even bother to write a review. Really !! Kind of surprised since Filippo said everything was fine when proceeding with check out. Only thing: we forget to bring out the garbage but send a message to inform and apologise when remembering about it. No comment.
I believe Air Bnb philosophy should be based in honesty, respect and kindness and I really hope a future experience will prove me right again, but definitely not this time.