We booked this spot as it was close to our friends in Madrid, it’s a good location, close to a metro station, lots of bars and also a big supermarket.
We arrived on a late flight and were met at the apartment by one of the host team. It was all very smooth, there was a €15 late fee for arriving after a certain time which seems excessive, on arrival we were told it had to be cash (who really carries cash now?), luckily a link was sent to us which was for an e-payment.
The apartment itself is lovely inside, however the hallway into the building isn’t very nice and once you come out of the lift to the apartment there’s of what looks like unstable wiring hanging around everywhere - the communal areas look very different to the inside of the apartment itself.
The apartment is small - which is to be expected, it was clean and had cutlery, plates, glasses pots and pans, and a dishwasher. The bathroom is very small, but again, clean and functioning (or so we thought).
When we got in the shower the next day it was lukewarm to cold. We thought that the water tank maybe needed to run a bit so didn’t think much of it, in the evening we tried again and it was freezing. As we were heading to meet friends I had to wash my hair in the ice cold kitchen sink.
I reported the issue on the chat with the host team. Who were responsive, they asked us to look at the boiler and it turned out the boiler had been off the whole time. While this could have been an honest mistake when you’re spending as much as we did for this apartment I was very unhappy.
I reported it on Airbnb and the host rejected the amount I requested, they offered me an airport transfer which I think was €40. No hot water for a whole day, due to a mistake the host made, the offer felt like a slap in the face. In the end Airbnb refunded me more which was helpful - I did however have to push a lot.
Weather was great throughout the week until our last two days when it dropped, there were no blankets or extra sheets, just a duvet that was disgustingly stained with no cover. It was revolting to have to use it.
I’m disappointed that such minor things that could have been easily sorted before we arrived made me not want to book this place ever again.