This was my worst Airbnb stay by far after using the service for 7+ years….so here is what I wish I would have known before booking (which would have never led me to book) — especially as a woman traveling alone:
(1) Safety Issue --> Host instructions specified that I was NOT allowed to lock the primary entrance to the unit building, and that the unit itself would automatically lock. Not being allowed to lock the main entrance already made me feel unsafe, but to learn that the automated locking feature was not working (and that the unit was unlocked when I was away) — made me feel even more unsafe. Host instructions do not include how to manually lock the door, so I had to figure that out on my own.
(2) Location —> Description of Listing said: “you’ll be located in close proximity to the H St. highlights, one of the top urban destinations in the DC area. You’ll have easy access to the hippest shops and most delicious eateries along the H. St. Corridor, along with the lively nightlife and communal atmosphere.”
However - the location of this airbnb is on the outskirts of DC/in a highly industrial area - lots of ongoing construction and industrial/mall-type stores are what is nearby - Safeway, CVS, Ross, and Dollar Tree.
Although the host marketed the space as a relaxing space to unwind, the neighborhood this Airbnb is located in, Trinidad - Langston, has the highest homicide rate in DC: “High homicide exposure neighborhoods were concentrated in Ivy City, Trinidad, Carver-Langston, and around Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue NE.”
Source: I am not allowed to include a link but you can copy/paste the above quote into a search engine to find the source -- DC Policy Center.
(3) Size of Apartment —> Description of Listing said: “You’ll enjoy staying in this charming modern apartment that provides you with plenty of space for relaxation at a very competitive price.”
As other reviews noted, I realize that the square footage is listed, but as another review stated -- you cannot really tell how small it is until you’re there. I imagine 4 people staying here, as listed, sharing the 1 bathroom, would be very uncomfortable — especially given how uncomfortable the couch (which is supposed to double as a bed) is.
(4) Bedroom —> bed frame & sheets are entirely different than listing pictures — actual frame is much lower to the ground than pictured, and sheets are very thin/not warm.
(5) Bathroom —> As other reviews noted, this is truly the smallest bathroom I have ever seen. No more than 1 person can use at a time.
(6) Backyard —> Listing said “Backyard patio equipped with gas grill is available for getting some fresh air on a beautiful day in the city.”
Backyard is overgrown with weeds AND has a plethora of flies swarming around — the minute I opened the backdoor, flies started to swarm into the apartment.
(7) Dishwasher was broken/not working.
(8) “Self-filling water filter pitcher built into fridge” is advertised in the listing—> No such thing exists. There is a broken water filter (missing a piece) that is freestanding. - It is not self-filling nor built into fridge.
The most disheartening part is that my review is not novel — there were many reviews similar to mine where the host commented “I'll take note of your concerns” and clearly did not because they persist. Obviously, he can’t change the neighborhood or the apartment size, but I would expect him tto change the property description/photos to be a more accurate representation of the actual space and what to expect from the neighborhood.