The Pros:
- Host: Truly outstanding host. Absolutely tip top. Excellent communication before the stay, and, when upon arrival we had some decidedly unpleasant issues with the condition of the property, host[s] dealt with these efficiently and with great consideration. 11 out of 10 rating on the host;
- Location: Also excellent. Conveniently placed, outside of the congestion zone, and the parking situation is a major bonus. 10 out of 10;
- Size of property/set up: Well sized for 2 couples using as a base for London, compact but felt quite roomy. Kitchen sized to cook decent meals [we did not] and the dishwasher, washer/dryer combo and small wine refrigerator quite useful. Big screen tele in great room with Sky. Two well sized bedrooms, one ensuite, with decently sized family bath. Internet service was speedy.
Cons:
- Check In: Check in directions were not correct, which caused issues and very cross bus drivers, as our car was partially blocking bus lane due to the gate opener not being where supposed to be;
- Cleanliness: It was DIRTY! Like really dirty. Dirty sheets on beds [Hairs. Unknown human marks on said sheets and matress covers.]. Dirty bath towels - one with what looked like toothpaste and hair still on it! - dirty floors with dust bunnies swirling about, really dirty bathrooms, a used tea bag in kitchen sink under dish drainer. Fridge containing leftover food going off, washer/dryer containing damp unclean sheets. Most everything covered in a fine layer of dust. Personal toiletries left in showers, mostly empty, and used cakes of soap left for handwashing, which was foul. Frankly, it was completely unacceptable.
We had to move into a hotel for 2 of our nights so property could be properly cleaned [which to be honest, it really wasn't much better when we returned, save for clean sheets/towels and cleaner toilets/showers]. Host/property manager stated that they'd used a new cleaner, and did get someone in to sort things on a Bank Holiday Monday which we appreciated, but still, wasn't nice.
Host did make every possible effort to mitigate the situation, but nevertheless, fac remains we had to find another place on a Sunday evening of a Bank Holi weekend, which was pain in the you-can-imagine-what [not to mention rather costly] and I missed most of our niece's Zoom baby shower due to the situation...
All in all, it was a very disappointing stay. 3 out of 10