Our first travel Airbnb experience was so terrible experience that we were willing to lose over $500 to get out! We stayed total 12 hours of our scheduled 4 day non refundable reservation.
We parked as instructed and walked up to view the studio before unloading. Studio has a private 6 ft cedar fenced entrance with its own gate. Upon entry we found a nice secluded patio with a small table, and the main entry screen and door.
Upon entering the studio, we see that the studio is maybe 11x11ft and that they fit in a full kitchen, that is cleverly photographed to not show the non working features.
On the left wall is a refrigerator, stove that has a large cutting board and microwave stacked on the back 2 burners, and a kitchen sink surrounded with 2 inches of laminate on all sides. NOTE, This is the only countertop you have in the studio. Above, there are cabinets with essentials that include an unopened, cellophane wrapped coffee maker. Not sure if you are supposed to un-box and use this?
On the facing wall, you see two doors. Left door is a small walk in closet maybe 4’ by 4’, complete with hangars and shelves. The layout of the shelves is awkward. The lower shelf is set a little up more that shoulder high and its position prevents you from using the hangars for anything longer than a short shirt. The top shelf is full with extra bedding, is very high and hard to reach. Later that evening, my wife, who is only 5’3” required that I pick her up to reach the new sheets.
The door to the right is the bathroom with a tub/shower, a wall mounted sink with a mirror, a toilet, with a Yellow WARNING sign, which reads “IF YOU DID NOT EAT IT DON’T FLUSH IT ! THANK YOU”. At first it was amusing, but this sign came back to haunt us later on that evening. To us it was a very unusual to not be able to flush toilet paper. As we looked around the bathroom we did not see a sanitary container to hold any used toilet paper! To the right of the door is a small desk about 3 ft x 2 ft , full of brochures and a desk lamp. (Unfortunately all the clutter takes up most of the desk so you will have to find a place to set the books if you plan on eating or using your computer). Only seat in the unit is a stool provided to sit at the desk.
On the right wall and in front of the desk is a indoor air conditioner, this is probably needed during the hot summer months, but today it was chilly and we looked for the heater thermostat instead. What is very noticeable in regards to the Air conditioner is the large, round, 4 inch aluminum venting that snakes out, up, and over to the window, it is not in the photos!. It takes up a lot of the room in front of the desk and at the foot of the bed. It is very awkward and obtrusive, probably welcomed during summer, but makes the space even smaller than it is already. Along the same wall, as the air conditioner and large vent tube, is the Full size bed, one side is up against the wall. Uh Oh! If there are 2 people, one has to climb over the other to use the restroom during the night!
Later that evening, my wife had to use the restroom, she read the sign “IF YOU DID NOT EAT IT DON’T FLUSH IT ! THANK YOU”. She would not deal with no toilet paper! NO WAY! So we left for a nearby restaurant to use the bathroom. We brought home Chinese take out.
We had failed to realize that there was no table inside. We cleared off the books. My wife ate on the desk, I knelt on the side of the bed and used the bed, stacked with takeout, as a table for dinner. We had our doubt about staying here any longer.
By 8pm we were asleep. It had been a long 14 hour drive. NOTE- No night stand/table available. Sleep after the adrenaline rush takes a few hours. Exhausted, every noise I hear, I wonder if Host has to check anything else. I double check the deadbolt.
Early morning we talk to the host, letting him know the space would not work for us. Hoping he understood and he could rent out some of the remaining nights and we could get a partial refund? When he asked why, I started to explain some of the issues listed above, He became very aggressive, denying my statements and accusing us of being petty, racist, and complainers, He asked me why! We decided to leave anyway, cleaned and left. Over the next 6 hours we received 4 derogatory messages with multiple photos of us. “Disgusting guests”, “extra charges for Illegal dogs”, “you left feces here!”. Our first message indicated dogs. Maybe he missed it?
We did not use the toilet as we could not use toilet paper.
Why did he have us on camera? Creepy!
We booked a hotel for the remaining three nights. Correct a hotel NOT an Airbnb.
We cannot recommend staying here in lieu of a hotel. Possibly a Superhost might be a better experience