Disappointing stay after reading good reviews when we booked…the negative reviews came after we reserved months in advance.
Things we wish we knew beforehand:
1. Nowhere on the listing mentions a deposit, that info is concealed until after booking. $500 due via ¥enmo or P@yPal to pick up, $100 non refundable “young driver fee.” Deposit much higher than any rental car. Deceiving as these items aren’t listed or accounted for in cost and it’s a gamble sending someone cash hoping for it back. If car isn’t washed and vacuumed it’s $100 subtracted from your deposit when you already paid a cleaning fee through AirBNB. But you are expected to clean it before dropping off host sited due to “short turn around time between rentals.”
2. Driver side window tint is so badly bubbled and distorted, you need to roll down the window to see and drive. Not at all safe. When window is down AC doesn’t run.
3. Alarm would randomly go off at least daily, often multiple times. Messaged host and it was blamed on “you didn’t shut the doors” when they were indeed shut. Issue was ignored beyond that, never got another reply. This is also listed in previous reviews.
4. Shower doesn’t work.
5. Came with a battery only minimally charged, other was dead.
6. Very tiny fans, not effective for air flow at night. Need to sleep with windows open for airflow. Sunroof won’t open, back windows hardly crack.
7. Just keep in mind you’re in a mini van, not camper or glamper van. Very little storage room or room to move. Cannot sit up in back area.
8. Oil maintenance needed light on. A lot of weight in the van, so braking is very slow. Doesn’t feel like driving a 2018.
9. Incredibly hard to find campsites. Car camping is not permitted on the island unless in designated areas. Host only have one that has to be booked months in advance.
In short, definitely would not book again and wish we knew these things before deciding to spend our vacation this way. Not at all as was listed.