We are sorry to say that we recommend you AVOID dealing with these owners - look at staying elsewhere.
I am sure the owners will post a dismissive reply and deny any problems with the apartment, as they have done with prior genuine guests’ concerns – and you should consider such response as a forecast of the host’s style of engagement. As it pertains to the following review, I'll note that I am a very experienced traveller with high tolerances for discomfort and dirt – when expected and paid for - and have literally slept on dirt floors in 3rd world locations and left 5 star reviews.
I will also say, lest the hosts deny it, that we have the photos and correspondence to back all of the following up. So, the facts are as set out below.
Upon arrival, the hosts were not present and dropped the keys off by a messenger. This was fine, however, upon entering the place we quickly started noticing a long list of issues with cleanliness and maintenance of the facilities:
1) Towels – heavily stained and some full of holes, looked unwashed/unclean and we had to wash all the towels prior to using them so nobody could shower for the first 24 hours, which was very inconvenient. Some of the towels were definitely dirty / unwashed and had just been folded up for our use. We were not comfortable using any of these for hygiene reasons.
2) Coffee cups – dirty (actual coffee in the bottom). Clearly not washed after prior use, and simply put back into the cupboard for our use without checking. More gross.
3) Everywhere else – you guessed it, dirty. The floors and rooms of the apartment were so dirty and dusty that when wiped the paper towels we used turned black/brownish red – even after 3 towels. The dust in the bedrooms was so bad that it triggered allergies in some of our group and interrupted our sleep, and it also smelled heavily of mould (especially in the back room).
4) Toilets – seats smelled of urine, which was noticed by several of us.
The place clearly had not been properly cleaned to a hygienic standard, which makes the high cleaning fees ($300!) all the more outrageous. After experiencing all of this during the first 24 hours and sending photos, the hosts admitted it was not clean and offered to send a cleaner, but after all the mishaps we were not comfortable remaining in the apartment.
When we notified them that we would be leaving the following morning and wanted a refund on the unused nights, they became nasty and started accusing us of ‘putting issues’ from the moment of arrival – but of course it’s only on arrival that one can identify issues, and we left only 48 hours into a 7 day rental…
At this point, they even mocked my wife’s concerns regarding aggressive vagrants and panhandlers, who seem to prefer the front entry to the building as their hangout spot to harass people.
Finally, I should note that THIS IS NOT ACTUALLY A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. It is a converted commercial space with inadequate lighting throughout (the photos of the apartment are very generous and have clearly been artificially brightened – is it not nearly this bright or nice in person, and the furniture is VERY cheap), it does not actually have a proper apartment door (more of an office-style glass partition with a locking handle), nor a proper kitchen, and the bathrooms are converted storage cupboards or office bathrooms with shower floor designs that are at best an awkward trip, slip and fall hazard. The entry to the building is also in terrible condition, with the walls gouged and heavily marked.
High marks for excellent location, but bottom rung value, cleanliness, communication and host’s integrity. If you have a problem, you won’t get help from them. They point blank refuse to accept any responsibility for the condition of the apartment, or consider honest (and fully evidenced!) concerns.
Way overpriced for what it is, our least favourite place that we stayed in Valencia (and the whole 3 week trip for that matter), and a very poor experience with the hosts.
Please be aware of all of this if you choose to rent. Recommend you look elsewhere.