What worked:
• Solid communication with the host. He also provided a phone number to text for faster response times instead of relying on messaging in app, which was appreciated. Host was professional and prompt in responses.
• Location is very convenient. A couple blocks from the beach, and down the street from a Starbucks for quick morning coffee runs.
• Easy check-in / check-out process. The instructions provided by the host are very thorough.
What could have been better:
In short: a lot, unfortunately.
• Cleanliness: one of the queen beds was clearly unwashed based on the smell. Floors were dirty enough that we couldn’t walk barefoot in the house. In general, things just felt dated and rundown (e.g. holes in walls from nails, cracks in countertops, old damaged tiles in the bathroom and kitchen). The bonus bedroom is actually located a story below the rest of the apartment, and feels very cramped due to the low ceilings and limited natural light.
• Amenities: while not a necessity, it’s always appreciated when rental properties come stocked with basic amenities, like paper towels and dish soap. If this property had them, they were very well hidden.
• Accessibility: this property is on the 2nd floor of a multi-level complex, with a steep flight of stairs leading up to the front door. We couldn’t find any other entry into the apartment. This luckily didn’t pose an issue for our group but should definitely be more clearly listed as a disclaimer.
• Value: I read this in other reviews before booking and wished I’d heeded their advice. This place just isn’t worth what you’ll pay for it.
In summary, wouldn’t stay here again.