The house and neighborhood were really nice. The travel from the house going around California in general was ok. Vicky was also quick responding. And we really thank her for that.
The only issue was... It says on the listing the property has the “best quality supplies for kitchen..." but we had some challenges in the kitchen - no silverwares (only disposable chopsticks), there were plates (but it was the asian/chinese plates and we do not really use those), no drinking glasses, no coffee cups, no regular knife (only butchers knife and a bread knife), no can opener. Like what I've said the place and house was nice, so you would expect at least there was a set of those mentioned above (at least a set good for a dozen). Anyway, we informed Vicky about it and offered $30 in exchange to buy those items (but personally I do not think that'll be enough), but then I just told her it will be better if they'll provide it. Vicky was quick responding, and she dropped some items, however she only provided 5 of each (I was thinking may be the owner/host was just so strict so it just limits 5 guests, but when I was reviewing the listing it was good for 8 people, so now we're confused why only 5).
I do not really want to keep on complaining, but we wanted to make some suggestions that will really make this property nicer and comfortable to the guests:
- to have at least a dozen of all regular silverwares (fork, spoon, knife, teaspoon), regular plates, regular drinking glass, coffee cups (and I kept saying "regular" because we do not really expect expensive ones but something presentable and usable that will match the house). With all due respect, may be the owners are asians, but the property is located in United States of America, so they should always think of the possibility of the guests coming from all over the world/country. And 12 pieces of each because even if there will only be like 6-8 guests coming in, I'm pretty sure they wanted a serving spoon/fork especially if it is a group/family.
- make sure the pans/pots are clean and organised. From what we saw the kitchen was disorganise. If you do not have the time and patience to check every drawer and cabinet, you will be so upset. When I was there I tried to somehow put everything in the same place (like all wrappers, foils, ziplocks together) just to help them.
- make sure you have all knives available, it will really help a lot.
- can opener should also be present, since guests are traveling, most probably they will buy something easy to prepare that will use a can opener.
- make sure everything is working, if not, may be time to replace it.
- also pls ask the housekeepers to clean the kitchen vent.
Guests/families who'll rent this place will expect that these basics are present, especially with this kind of property. If it is a cottage/cabin that is a different story, may be you should really buy plastic forks and disposable plates and cups.
We see a lot of potential with this listing. If we wanted to rent it again, yes, but if ever we do, we are really hoping that those concerns will be addressed. We were hosting some properties too and we also rented vacation houses around the country as well, so we know as a host and a guest that those should always be present. Customer service (which Vicky was good at), the property itself, the neighbourhood, cleanliness, and essential supplies inside the property will make every family/guests' vacation so memorable.