I am always conflicted in how to write a review that is not favorable... then again, it does the following patrons no favor to set incorrect expectations and it does the host no favor but failing to inform them how to improve... so, here is my review.
Rosa is a very charming, warm and welcoming host! She met us promptly in front of the apartment, had umbrellas for both of us as it was raining and even insisted in carrying my carry on to the room. The location is perfect as well. In fact, as you read most of the reviews, they all say much the same... the location is perfect and Rosa is a wonderful host; and indeed, to give us time to settle in, she even paid for 1/2 hr of parking at the “on premise free parking”.. and that is where things began to turn.
Let’s start with the parking. Parking is not “on premise” as advertised - it is across the street and it is only free from 8 pm Friday night until 8 am Monday morning. Anytime outside of that will cost you 2.75 Euro per hour. We arrived at 3 pm Friday and left Monday... our parking cost $13.75 Euro and we were sure to leave by 8 am Monday. The next closet “free parking” is at the beach and a 10 minute walk... Of course that is fine, but is is unreasonable to advertise that as “free on premise parking”.
Next the facility... all the amenities advertised were there. Not all functioned or were given any instruction on how to use. We decided to wash clothing the day before we left... the washer worked fine... The dryer did not work so, we had to put our damp clothes in a bag after the spin as it was late and we were leaving in the early morning. There was a remote thermostat for the heat but, despite setting it to 80 degrees, we never had any heat... the space was chronically cold. There oven was coated in baked grease and there were no racks... we avoided any use. The cabinets in the kitchen had coffee-like spill stains from previous guests. There was a barrage of bug and insect killers below the sink and while it is appreciated the host wishes to keep things under control, it is quite another to advertise things need to be keep under control. The bedroom had someone’s shorts left in the top dresser drawer. The bed had a fitted sheet that was put on backwards - hopefully a mistake and not an assumed choice to leverage “the other side” for the next guests. There was only a fitted sheet, no loose sheet; we are hoping the comforter was washed after each guest.. but all we have is hope. There was a long black hair found in one of the drinking glasses. The bathroom shower and toilet looked like nothing in the picture as the shower had seemingly been “patched” all over with a grey rubber compound, apparently to mange moisture. The toilet was on a black cement block platform. The walls were dirty.. in most of the rooms.
As for value, most of the hotels in the area are less per night and some are marginally more (such as Marriott AC).. but that is all a matter of preference and desired experience.
This was all disappointing. Had out plans been to simply meet Rosa at the great location I am sure we would have have a wonderful time talking with her and enjoying the location.. but we paid for an apartment and were left with nothing but an eagerness to leave.
I realize this review is at odds with the propensity of others.. I can only say there is nothing I am stating that is incorrect or dishonest.. it is, as the word implies, a review. You may of course choose to accept my commentary as valid or seek to validate it for yourself.. We have had wonderful experiences at many places.. I also look forward to sharing those as well.