This was a hard one for me to rate but after sitting on it for a week and blaming myself as well I’d still say Isabel deserves a 4/5.
My only ding would be safety and again that is partially my fault being I had a long day out with my 2 little kiddos so by time we went to look for the Airbnb it was dark. Lesson learned, never look for a new Airbnb at night.
Directions were easy until I got to the street and the gps kept telling me I was there when I was still a few homes down the street but with me not going until night I had a major issue- the street was pretty much pitch black minus 2 or 3 homes on the block that had a porch light so reading any type of house number without getting out of the car was nearly impossible. However, after driving up and down the street 3 times with a random person just standing in the middle of the road looking super sketch and not moving for cars I decided to compose myself, pull over and message Isabel. She messaged back right away and apologized for not having a porch light on. I then finally realized her house was at the end of the block and was on the street I kept driving up and down on but also had alley access to park my car. I looked at my booking again and realized the flag was a give away though there was a fence between the home and where I parked my car I locked my kids inside the car and used my flashlight to make sure I was at the right house number. I woke my older kid up, grabbed the toddler and our suitcase and ran to the house. The lockbox to get in worked no issues but what scared me immensely on top of finding the place was they had the front door lock taped with a sign that read do no lock locks automatically.
With the experience I had finding this place I was just scared, heart racing. I took my phone and car keys then told the kids to stay in the house while I went out to make sure the front door truly did lock- which it did but I still felt super uneasy. I wish they’d have like a door latch lock as well. It was my first time traveling just me and kids without my husband so I was already scared once night hit and then with the lock it just left for a night of not sleeping well. I did lock the bedroom door and had both kids sleep with me to feel a little more easy.
The home itself was pretty clean. There were smarties in both beds for the kids which was an amazing touch for the kids.
This was a last minute trip to meet up with a girlfriend and her son for his birthday that’s why I came solo. At night this neighborhood did not feel the safest and thankfully Isabel provides a parking spot because the street was full.
Isabel was great at responding but I would suggest coming to look during the day to avoid the scared feeling I felt.