Regrettably, we have to report our first very bad Airbnb experience here.
Ali gave us a contact to Lyuba who should check us in. Our flight to London was delayed, we didn´t have any information at the airport. Nevertheless, we kept Lyuba informed of our situation at the airport and we agreed to compensate taxi costs to her if we arrive at night. At about 22.00 h GMT we were finally informed that our flight would be rescheduled to the following morning, so we accordingly informed Lyuba that we would arrive in the morning hours to London. In the course of the morning we also informed her about our estimated arrival time at the place of accommodation, but she did not react. After we have reached the centre of London, we gave her a call and we asked her for the check in and for the handover of the keys etc. However, she told us she was at work and that she didn´t know when she finishes – maybe at 5 p.m., or at 7 p.m. or even late. We tried to contact Ali about this, he was not available, but he sent us an sms later that there is only Lyuba whom we can communicate this. Of course, we required to be checked in as soon as possible. We agreed with her she would let us know ASAP she finishes at work and she could come to check us in. In the evening, at 18.30 p.m. we called Lyuba again, she is still at work, she can´t come. Another call to Ali who offered us the cancellation of the accommodation and returning the money after having let us walking around in London with all the baggage the whole afternoon. So I had to come and meet Lyuba somewhere on the halfway to her place of work to get the keys to the apartment and I left my family waiting in the centre. Upon meeting her at the station, again with complications as there was no Wi-Fi on the underground platform where we should meet, she was rude telling me she might lose her (the other?) job because of us.
We didn´t arrive at the apartment earlier but at 21.30 h, it cost us much time, efforts, money spent on telephone calls and on the underground travelling.
The lacking toilet paper, dirty dishes and dust on site were just petty details compared to the above mentioned.
The flat is centrally located in a pretty neighbourhood; however the approach of the host and especially that of his “employee” is horrible.