We found and booked this unit about 5+ months prior to our trip. We were "sold" on it because of the view and proximity to the beautiful beach!
We should've been worried about seeing that other reservations that had been"canceled by the host."
This turned into our worst Airbnb experience. So Unfortunate!!
Positives:
-view/proximity to the beach was exactly as shown in pictures
-bed linens were clean
-toilet was clean
Negatives:
- Self-Check in was a DISASTER! We were told location of unit lock box - plus our unique code - but, we weren't given a picture or description of the lock box. It turns out that there are about 75 other lock boxes there. After we texted Robert, and didn't get a quick response (as promised in the pre-arrival email), we started trying the myriad lock boxes, to no avail. Then it started raining heavily during this time. After he responded, describing the lock box, the code we had was wrong. Two more texted codes and we finally got the lock box open, only to discover that the housekeeper had left the "wrong set" of keys in it -- no fob for the security gate/elevator. Fortunately, the Security Guard on duty, keyed us in to both.
- Unit is NOT clean! Upon entering the unit, it smelled of smoke AND nearly every surface was filthy! We had stopped at Costco en route to the condo, as we had planned to live here and eat most of our meals in the condo over our 17 day stay ... that would've required me to clean for about 3 solid days to get everything decent!
There was grime and fingerprints on every door and appliance handle and counter top. There was food spilled/dried/or crumbs left on the cutting board, in the fridge, microwave, oven and on the cookware. All the glasses, plates, silverware, and utensils had fingerprints, too.
There was black mold in the shower! There was scum around the bathroom sink and no soap in the dispenser.
Something was splattered all over the mirror wall in the bedroom - and all mirrors needed cleaning, in general.
- Host was VERY defensive about our complaints. He finally came to the unit after multiple texts and phone calls were exchanged. At first he said that the unit simply had sand in it because of the proximity to the beach. Then he said he would cancel our reservation (MINUS about $200, which equaled one+ night's charge) because we "had a higher standard of cleanliness" than he did.
Believe me, we wanted out of there badly, except it was LATE, we had a FULL fridge/freezer, we hadn't seen ANY nearby hotels (plus the issue of needing a fridge!), we didn't know the area, AND our efforts to find a quick replacement condo were hampered by the late hour and the fact that his internet/wifi wasn't working. He remedied that with a new power strip.
Unfortunately, due to the situation, we had to spend the night (which we were charged for ANYWAY!), but we were MIRACULOUSLY able to locate a condo in the building next door (The Hawaiian Princess - Very Nice, plus a pool and hot tub!), which was available, and CLEAN!! We were completely moved out by noon!
If you don't intend to eat or shower in the unit, and you don't mind a lot of grime and the smell of smoke around you, then this place will be fine because the beach IS beautiful!