In the interests of being open and honest, I start by stating publicly that I told the host I would not write a negative review. However, his failure to so much as acknowledge my last communication with him has left me extremely disappointed, hence my decision to review after all.
We arrived at the apartment and all seemed fine. The views are, as others have described, stunning.
Only when we came to use the shower did it transpire that there was more water leaking from the shower supply pipe than was actually making it to the shower head. I disconnected the shower hose only to find the washer had completely perished. Furthermore, there was water leaking from the shower head which was part caused by the lack of a washer between the hose and the shower head, and part by the shower head itself being clogged with lime scale. This hadn’t just happened, this was a pre-existing problem.
I contacted the host who messaged later that day to say he’d get a plumber to attend the following day. Later that day, we saw a shop selling shower hoses and shower heads so early the following morning, I contacted the host with an offer to fix the issue myself. It was only later that morning, too late to save us from yet another very sub-standard showering experience, that the host confirmed he was happy to take me up on my offer. A trip to the store and a mere €17 later, the issue was fixed, and the shower was working like new. I messaged the host who offered reimbursement of my costs. I sent a copy of the receipt and he transferred the funds immediately. My gripe was that after 3 very sub-standard showers for us both, a cold shower for me (as I’d wasted all the hot water trying to fix the issue) and actually going to the trouble of fixing the issue for the host, doubtlessly saving him significant expense, he refunded exactly the amount of our outlay, and nothing more. If we’d been in a hotel, we’d have either been moved rooms, or offered a partial refund for the affected nights.
We had further issues with the large external shutter which it’s necessary to close during heavy rain as failure to do so will result in water leaking into the apartment through the main window/door. The supporting wheel is almost severed off, making it extremely difficult to close the shutter speedily, and lock it into place. I got soaked through to the skin during a downpour in an attempt to save more water pouring in through the bottom of the window.
If I’m being picky, the planting areas outside were unkempt and full of weeds and dead plants.
Yes, it’s a cosy and well located bolt hole from which to explore the beautiful city. Was this place as good as others here have said? - probably not. Are the views spectacular? - indeed they are.
To summarise, for the price we paid, I’d have expected a property in full working order, not one which I’d have to repair for myself to bring it up to standard. Even with my input, the property seems to lack some basic maintenance and investment.