When it comes to reviews, I only feel compelled to write one if someone or something is either outstanding or exceptionally poor, and in this case, exceptionally poor is a gross understatement. Step by step, minute by minute, I will explain the regretful experience my guest and I had at this Airbnb. Prior to arriving and ecstatic about our rental choice, we were planning out our 3-day stay. Believing we were about to continue our fantastic trip in Kona, our experience was quickly ruined upon our arrival at this Airbnb. The moment we arrived, we were greeted by a very unpleasant host. We introduced ourselves and immediately, my guest and I, both felt this overwhelming feeling that our presence was not welcome. In the process of explaining the rules, some of which would make you laugh, I very politely asked a question that quickly escalated the conversation. I simply asked if we could have two guests stay with us for no more than five hours on our first night there. (Our friends had an unexpected change in their flight and needed a place to stay.) This is when things quickly went downhill. We were told that our friends’ problem, is “not her problem” and that our guests could not come over to the rental at all. My guest and I looked at each other and were wondering if we heard her correctly. We were shocked by the tone in which she spoke to us, as well as how rude the comment was. My guest and I quickly decided that we wanted a refund before hearing even more rules or stepping foot onto her property. Before we got the chance, the host informed us about how bad some of her former renters were, how much money it cost her and how much it would ultimately cost us if we were to do as much as leave a scuff on her frail wood floors. After getting an absolute ear full and keeping my composer, I nicely attempted to explain to the host that we are not troublemakers, and we wouldn’t be breaking any rules. In the process of trying to explain that we would not be like her previous renters, I was completely cut off and told repeatedly, “We’re done!” In this moment, the host was looking at us as if she wanted us to leave immediately. For the record, my guest is 26 years old, I’m 27, and we were spoken to like boys. I’m not sure where this host got her manners, but she needs an attitude check.
Just five minutes into our arrival, my guest and I wished to cancel our reservation before we even got our luggage out of the car. Like our friends, we were stranded and had nowhere to go, so we had no choice but to make this place work until were figured out an alternative plan. We stepped inside to find the house looking nothing like the Airbnb listing. We knew that there was something wrong on the outside of this Airbnb, but to list the number of things wrong on the inside, would push the character limit on this review. Aside from the house being extremely old, I will list some of the major concerns we had with this Airbnb. Starting from the top: No AC, no hot water, bathroom sink clogs, cockroaches/bugs in the house, no guests, cameras outside (not disclosed), unpleasant odors in the air, dirty floors, semi-functional stove, marginal refrigerator (it wasn’t the one pictured in the photo listing), etc. To be completely honest, it is false advertising. We were promised something that we did not receive. In addition to all of the lies, we discovered that the “3 Minutes To Beach Access” was not accurate either and was actually more like a 11–13-minute walk.
Upset with the host, the condition of the house and our choice in this listing, we quickly decided to cancel. After doing so, I was confronted by the host and asked why we canceled. I told her that we found her to be very rude and disrespectful. As a person with a marketing degree myself, I told her that her listing and advertising was unethical and untruthful. Around 10:30 AM and after the host heard how we felt about her, she told us that check out is at 10AM and if we didn’t get out immediately, she would be calling the police. I then watched her pull out her phone and dial 911. This is when, and I’ll admit, I aggressively shut the paper-thin front door. It was rude on my part to slam the door and I did apologize. However, it is hard to keep your composure when the host was threatening to call the police simply because we decided to cancel.
That aside, the door, undamaged, opened minutes later after we quickly gathered our belongings and left the property. From the host to the house, I would give negative stars, if it were possible. For anyone out there who is even considering this listing, ESPECIALLY YOUNG ADULTS, take a hard pass on this one! People take vacations to relax and enjoy themselves and thanks to her, our vacation plans, set months prior, were ruined! It’s pretty pathetic when two grown men are disrespected, belittled, and treated like children. And lastly, to you Beth, you made our trip to Hawaii unforgettable in the worst way possible. You should be embarrassed by your behavior. Mahalo.