Sarah Marie’s place is cozy and comfortable. Yes, guests should be kind and leave the flat clean. But our hope is in future Sarah Marie stops asking guests to do the vacuuming, wash the laundry and hang it out, clean the flat upon departure—-AND here’s where it felt uncomfortable and frankly, controlling—she asks guests take a photo of each cleaned room and send it to her upon departure.
I do understand that she wasn’t there between guests but it is her responsibility as a host to make sure the flat is clean to her standard for the next guests (not ours). In future, if she can’t be there between guests, as a host myself, may I suggest she either hire a cleaner, or a neighbour, or a friend to come check the flat between arrivals. If needed, she can add a cleaning fee to cover that expense when she knows she can’t be there between guests arrivals.
Also, may I suggest that she chooses a grocery-lock box site that is closer to the flat than the one she currently uses. For those who don’t have a car, it means walking another 1km with luggage to retrieve the key when there were closer outlets nearer the flat.
Sarah Marie’s communication was excellent and while the bedroom is quite small (bed touches the walls on three sides), the place is comfortable. With these changes we would have found the flat a positive experience.