I want to highlight that the host was very hospitable, but I feel compelled to leave an honest review so that the appropriate changes can be made to this Airbnb before another guest enters the premise.
Pros:
The interior design is accurately depicted in photographs.
The unit is well-lit but shaded during the day, and quiet at night, except for the neighborhood dogs all barking or howling in unison every once in a while.
The host is quick to respond to any needs.
The shower is very comfortable and spacious.
Air-conditioning is essential!
Central to North Shore and East Side.
Very beachy, local atmosphere in the city.
Cons:
The unit was not cleaned before we entered-- we could feel grit at the bottom of our feet the moment we entered, as well as tidbits left behind from previous occupants (uncooked pasta on the rug, an old beverage left beneath the bench at the foot of the bed, a[n unused] condom + dust in the drawers, facial tissue that was obviously taken out and stuffed back into the box).
The bathroom sink can't be helped, but it was extremely tiny even for me (standing at 5'3" and 105 pounds).
The shower had no hot water. It remained cold or barely warm.
There is a septic smell in the bathroom as well.
The vents might be linked to the main house, as I could smell some kind of breakfast bacon very prominently one morning.
The front patio would have been very cozy and convenient to enjoy a cup of coffee, but the furniture hadn't been wiped down so it was dusty and there were a few webs, plus the coffee provided was instant coffee even though a coffee maker is there. In any case, rinsing the cups in the small sink would have been difficult, especially without dish soap.
No towels were provided when we first got in.
Check-in instructions were delayed.
The front door lock had been broken by a previous occupant, so we had to store our belongings in the bathroom (which had a key to lock) whenever we left.
I really wanted to like this place, especially for the price, but I found myself feeling a little uneasy and paranoid whenever I was in there. You get a bit of privacy (if there isn't a little kid peeking through the sheer curtains covering the sliding glass door), but you constantly feel like you're in someone else's Airbnb. Paired with the fact that there was no door lock (although a metal stick is there to wedge between the glass door and the wall), I was not really comfortable here. I appreciated the host's quick responses, but in the end, I don't want to have to ask my host for things that are basic or essential to renting a place out during my vacation.