We had booked this lovely apartment, taking into account the very good reviews posted by previous guests.
We opened the door on the first night to be greeted by a really strong cigarette smoke smell throughout the apartement. We opened all windows to try and clear, and then very quickly realised no bedding had been left for the sofabed (which had been requested earlier in the day and acknowledged by the host) or towels. I contacted Miguel (the host) who advised that the smell was due to the previous guests breaking the house rules - and that he was sorry!.
1. As we opened the sofa bed I found a fresh cigarette stub behind the sofa.
2. Whilst waiting in for the bed linen, I then found an empty cigarette pack underneath the bathroom unit, along with a used piece of kitchen roll.
3. No TV remote avilable or WiFi details were available to use.
4. Also a large smeared mud mark/stain on the hall wall. We were told this was a burn mark by Miguel that could not be removed - but it miraculously disappeared/was cleaned whilst we were out the next day, and a member of staff had arrived to leave a new TV remote.
5. All internal doors had many dirty hand prints by the handles. I was able to wash clean with washing up liquid and soap.
Bed linen and towels were dropped off by the cleaning company later in the evening - and were very damp, so all had to be placed on the towel rail to dry before being used.
It is not unreasonable to expect that advertised amenities are provided and advertised cleaning polices are being controlled and managed.
We have used Airbnb many times, in many countries, and have never experienced such poor hosting.
The apartment has such an ingrained cigarette smoke smell in the fabric that it is deeply unpleasant and is clearly used as a smoking apartment.
This is not a review that I've taken lightly. We own a rental home in Cornwall, England - and take very seriously our responsibility for ensuring the property is clean and hygeinic in the light of post Covid and the public's expectations for hygiene.
This is a delightful apartment in a wonderful part of the city, sadly being mismanaged by the current hosts.
** Please note that there are very loud building/excavation works being conducted immediately outside on the main road, where a new subway line is being laid. These works started as early as 7.30am - and continued all day.**