As my first foray into Airbnb I was dismayed at the accommodation.
Perhaps my expectations were too high.
I needed a room in the Los Angeles area for a few days. With my schedule I only need a bed, shower and a toilet. At best I would be In the room 6 hours each day to sleep and shower.
I would normally book a hotel but people
Told me Airbnb was the way to go.
My mistake is I went on the cheap and cheap come cheap because it’s normally a shithole.
I booked the room after reading the first few reviews. Once again my mistake.
I received the “house rules” and location the day before I was to travel so it limits one’s ability to change or cancel.
1. In the “House Rules” is that NO toilet paper be deposited into the toilet. The plumbing will clog and a few will be assessed. The “spent” toilet paper is to be deposited into a metal can next to the toilet. Yuck. This is third world stuff.
2. To enter the property you have to enter through a locked gate between the main house and garage. There is a keypad to enter a code to open the door. The keypad is faded and the lighting is poor. Arriving at 11pm in the dark caused an issue to enter the code and I had to use a flashlight to see the numbers on the pad
3. Once through the locked gate you enter a courtyard and another door with a keypad and poor lighting.
4 Once though 1 locked gate and 1 lock locked door you enter a foyer with 3 “bedroom” doors. The bedroom doors have a hasp and a combination lock on it. Once again dim lighting.
5. In the room. I already discussed the toilet paper issue. The bed was uncomfortable but more distressing was the fact there was a fitted bottom sheet and a comforter. No top sheet. Is the proprietor washing the comforter after each guest? My guess is no. It was this issue that made my decision to checkout after one night and eat the monies paid.
6. In the “ House Rules” sent to me “Laura” she stated she only accepts 5 stars reviews. And after reading poor reviews she berates the reviewer. The whole point of reviews is for the property owner to collect data to improved their property and the customer experience.
7. After the first night there I had a full day work to be done in the LA Basin area . I left around 7am after getting there at midnight . During my morning drive I decided the room did not meet my standards for a cheap room. However I could not get back until 4pm. I packed my bags and left. At 4:30pm I informed Laura I had checkout. She responded with an email that she was unable to refund my 2nd or 3rd night monies. I responded it was not an issue as I expected nothing less from her.
Bottom Line. The room was clean and sparse. Be aware of the toilet paper in the can issue. Be aware no top sheet and hope she washes the comforter. Be aware you have 3 levels of doors to unlock
Beware. Of the low price. This debacle is on me for not doing my homework.
Btw the walls are thin and you can hear other guests