PLEASE AVOID, AND SEEK OTHER CLEAN & COMFORTABLE ACCOMMODATION IN EDINBURGH!
Upon arrival, we were baffled on how the previous reviews could be at all genuine, apart from the review comparing it to a grandparents house, as this is the most relatable.
The property listing boasted an ‘Enhanced Covid Clean’, which should include both a thorough deep clean and separate sanitisation throughout. However, we were greeted by used dirty cleaning rags on entry, and quickly realised we could not stay in this property after we found:
•	the oven caked with years of burnt on grease and dirt
•	dirty appliances such as the George Foreman grill covered in an exceptional level of grime
•	the chopping boards and kitchen surfaces dirty, with the white hairs and food debris
•	soiled/filthy, discoloured cupboards with food debris throughout
•	cupboard doors falling off most units
•	long black hairs within the fridge
•	hair and dust clogging the hairdryer to the point it tripped the thermal safety switch
•	dirty ‘single-use’ slippers
•	curtain railings held up by shoe laces and joined with duct tape
•	cheap putty used in an attempt to secure bedframe and shower heads
•	damp, stale and smoky house smell throughout, masked by numerous cheap air refreshers
The listing and messages from the host also mentioned basic provisions would be supplied. We found these to only include an almost used bag of powdered milk that was 7 months out of date, 8 miscellaneous loose tea bags strewn in a dirty & stained cupboard, contaminated and crystallised Tesco instant coffee stuck inside the jar, and salt in a very rusty shaker. In addition, the host advertised shower gel and shampoo, however neither were provided.
We immediately rang the host for a resolution, suggesting either a full/partial refund so we could leave immediately and find alternative accommodation. However, she was very irate and rude on the phone and declined any resolution other than we contact Airbnb to be re-accommodated. We offered for her to come over but she was adamant that there were no problems with the property. She refused any resolution and claimed we were trying to blackmail her (we just wanted to leave immediately and felt it only fair that we were refunded due to the appalling state of the property!). In addition, whilst she refused our invitation to come and inspect the property herself, she seemed more concerned with changing the locks when we departed - as if we would want to go back! The main response from the host was that she has rented the property for 4 years with no issues, however she must be disillusioned to think previous guests would not have been equally appalled by the state of the property – this could explain why the host was able to immediately advise on how we should contact Airbnb to be re-accommodated; we are confident she has been through this process before.
Whilst the property is only a stone’s throw away from a main road into the City centre; the close proximity to the road leads to constant traffic noise and sirens, complemented by the noise of passing trains from the adjacent mainline and loud music from neighbouring properties.
Private car parking was in a small community carpark which was overcapacity during our thankfully brief stay, meaning we couldn’t park there. This included cars with council notices on for removal of abandoned vehicle.
Whilst I would like to say some positives, the only I can think of was that Airbnb were able to support a prompt exit from the property after we shared images of the unsanitary appliances and haphazard unsafe repairs throughout the property. They apologised profusely for the time it took and provided us with a full refund for the night we stayed. They also managed to amend our booking so we didn’t have to stay another night – which was a huge relief.
We gave the host ample opportunity to come to the property and resolve the serious issues and cleanliness, however she was rude, hostile and declined to attend. Considering the host’s extensive and somewhat bizarre list of house rules, we still can’t comprehend the nightmare we walked into in Abbeyhill Crescent. We had stayed in 4 lovely Airbnb’s over the previous week and were delighted by those properties and hosts; this property simply cannot be compared.
You couldn’t pay me to return to this property.
N.B. Regretably, Airbnb do not facilitate posting of guest images.