After reading the glowing reviews of this property, we couldn’t wait to book a stay. What followed was the most unpleasant Airbnb experience any of us (two longtime travelers, regular users of Airbnb, and one travel journalist) has ever encountered.
This is a beautiful apartment—sunny, nicely furnished, and located in a very central location. Best of all, there’s a rooftop deck with a fabulous 360 degree view of the city of Florence. Reviews do not exaggerate the specialness of this spot.
But none of this came close to compensating us for the treatment we received from our host, Claudio.. (It should be noted here that many previous travelers whose experiences differed markedly from ours appear to have been met by a different host.)
The problems began even before we arrived at the property. Upon learning that we would be arriving two hours later than anticipated, we attempted repeatedly, but unsuccessfully , to let Claudio know that we’d be arriving two hours later. On the train heading to Florence, we were surprised to receive an angry phone call from our host demanding to know why we had not arrived on schedule. When we attempted to explain what had happened, he began yelling into the telephone that this would cost money.
We had been aware that the property is situated on the top floor of the building, and were well prepared. to tackle the stairs. What truly astonished us was Claudio’s hostile and indignant refusal to help us up the stairs with the three bags we had brought. When I pointed out that we were all over 65 years old (he appears to be in his thirties) Claudio told us “You knew when you took this property that there were stairs.”
(A note here. One of us is ,herself , an Airbnb superhost of a property with many stairs. She is careful to point out the stair issue on her listing as well, but only to be sure that guests can make it up the stairs, themselves. Luggage is always carried for them.)
We urged Claudio to reconsider and help us,, pointing out that one of our group was iin her seventies. This request was met with another hostile dismissal. “You should have hired assistance.” Our young host then added that his back was not good.
In the end, we carried our own bags up the 113 steps. (There’s an elevator, but it is situated after one has already climbed around 70 steps.)
Claudio’s unpleasant, hostile treatment did not end once we’d made it to the apartment. He continued to berate one of our group , when she asked whether he woujdl allow his mother to carry a bag up these steps.
After he left, we enjoyed a glass of wine on the magnificent deck, and were glad that we had brought our own corkscrew, since none was provided. The next morning, we learned that there was also no coffee at the apartment and—most surprising of all—no forks, knives, or spoons for the food we had purchased to eat on the deck.
Last words on this property: Book it if you are prepared to carry your bags, and to deal with an extremely unpleasant and hostile host. There is no question, the view is terrific. The three women submitting this review –one of whom suffered an injury, carrying her suitcase--will not be returning.
Based on his treatment of our group during this encounter, we have no doubt that our host will have some more unpleasant things to say about this apartment. Consider the source, and beware.