Unforgivingly lack of security, grubby kitchen, in a great location. We checked in early only to find out that the place was being robbed. Apparently, someone claimed to be us and were given the keys to the apartment by the front desk. Someone from the building must have warned them of our unexpected early arrival as they were only able to get away with a few things. The host did immediately have both locks replaced within about three hours. However, on check in, I noticed that one set of windows did not lock at all and someone could have gained access to the apartment quit easily from the roof. Safety being such a concern in South Africa that I find this over sight of lack of security unforgivable. The host did also have someone come immediately to fix this. This is a window that can side open from two different sides. The repairman drilled a screw through the frame of only one side to seal the window shut. I was easily able to open the window after three semi firm tugs to it (this breaking the screw.). The repairman initially did nothing to seal and secure the other side of the window. I can’t believe that the host did not check his work, let alone hire someone so incompetent. I almost did not check in, but ultimately the repairman secured both sides of the window to my satisfaction.
The kitchen was a bit grubby, had a few things that were really nice to have, but lack a few things. There were some items, like worn frying pans, that just needed to be thrown out. There is no over, the the electric stove tops do not heat evenly. There is a new microwave that apparently has something to allow it to be used as an oven, but I could not find it. Overall, we didn’t really cook, but it is not expensive to eat out.
The location was amazing. The water was just a few minutes away and the area is very safe during day light hours. There are a lot of good restaurants within walking distance. Ubers were easy to get.
The host was always very pleasant and generally helpful. On two occasions she left some toys for daughter, which was very sweet.
Even though I was not so happy with the kitchen, I would have considered renting from her again had it not been so the lack of safety issues noted above. Safety precautions are no joke in South Africa, and I cannot give my trust and confidence to such a blatant oversight as unlocked and accessible windows, and not taking the time nor giving the fore thought to ensure they were properly secured by the repairman. I should have not been the one to notice that the windows were unsecured nor that the repairman did not initially secure them.