I've had 28 Airbnb reservations. I am deeply regretting having to write this - my first negative review.
I am also very proud of my track record and efforts to be a great guest if you look at my profile. Pretty much 25 stellar reviews.
Also I am the kind of person who if I have problems or concerns about an Airbnb or business, I prefer to discuss the issues with the owners in hopes of helping them to fix the issues I have without publicly complaining about any feelings of great disappointment.
Everyone has off days or may over look issues that can be improved with the feedback of one individual. I tried to message Sandy in hopes of having this kind of talk but she never replied.
I really tried to make the most out of my time at Sandy's place, but there are major issues here that made my stay feel very disappointing and uncomfortable.
I had an incredibly difficult time getting good rest staying in this house.
The worst and biggest frustration is that there is absolutely no privacy aside from being in the bathroom.
The entire space is walled with big glass multi sliding doors and no curtains at all. If someone is outside they can look right in.
The bedroom has no door, it has one large open wall facing the curtain free glass doors and. Doesn't even have a simply $10 sheet separating itself from the view from outside and the glass doors. So if you are sleeping people can just stare right into the bedroom and there's no way to stop this. Yard workers (who did come by) anyone outside can see everything.
It's like living in an exhibit.
Subconsciously this was very uneasy feeling and I couldn't sleep deeply. Kept waking up.
My first night I stayed with a friend because I was at an event that went very late and I didn't want to bother Sandy by getting in late. Though out of the remaining 4 nights I had to slept one more night at my friend's place because of the lack of good sleep. Seems unfair for about $300 per night.
What makes this very frustrating is that one day I was walking out from the unit (which is below Sandy's main house) and she also has big glass sliding doors and windows lining her home. As soon as she saw me she drew her curtains shut. Sandy if you like the privacy of curtains like this, wouldn't it be fair to give your guests this same basic home amenity?
The best feature is that the bathroom is very cute. Nicely designed.
But here is another major challenge. It's the weakest plumbing I've ever dealt with. A small amount of toilet paper can clog the toilet. I know this isn't just me because sometimes if you go to use a plunger and it's soaked with water it means someone else had to use it recently too. The plunger is also very flimsy and unclogging the toilet made toilet water splash all over my clean pants.
I guess if you like bull terriers this is definitely your kind of place. Lots of bull terrier artwork everywhere.
The Nespresso was generously stocked which was nice. Bathroom had lots of toiletries. Free parking easily which is good.
And the few times I ran into Sandy we were both very friendly to each other. I am sincerely surprised you didn't reply to my message about helping each other with constructive feedback.
The main reason I paid the significant price to be here a bit north of L.A. was the first picture of a sweeping view from the hills. I had the option to stay in Beverly Hills for the same rate in a private place with great plumbing but chose Sandy's cause I was hoping for an inspiring view. It just wasn't like the pics. The view from the unit is largely obstructed.
I do know that although I try to be a great guest and my 25 host reviews reflect this with exceptional feedback, I will say I was having a very unusual week and was not up to ideal form. Normally I am very communicative as my past Airbnb hosts consistently compliment me on this. Sandy I am sorry that I was not more communicative that first check in day though I did make sure to stay with a friend that night so as not to get in later and bother you.
I also want to say I am sorry for checking out around 20 minutes late. The reality is I had such poor sleep for days I honestly had a hard time getting going that morning. This is not an excuse as I was in the wrong here and I apologize for this. Though it is true I was exhausted and immediately checked into a hotel after checking out of your home and took a nap as soon as I checked in.
And other than this I know I was very quiet and did my best to be very respectful and polite in your conversations. Really tried to not dwell on the negatives but in reflecting on my stay in hindsight I wish I had known about the lack of bedroom door and wide open exhibit style sleeping.
Sandy I wish you would have talked with me as I would rather have just suggested in private you get a new sturdier toilet plunger, add a partitioning sheet to the bedroom (curtains all around would be best but I was gonna suggest the minimum you could do) and be more clear to guests that the view in from your Airbnb is not as wide open as that first pic.
I wish we could have discussed these issues discretely and tried my best to make this happen.
I really didn't want to write this review. I even feel sorry writing it.
But also do know that if I had read a review