David's place is in a great West Loop location which brought back so many fond memories of when I used to live there. Check in was simple no issues. David was quick to respond when messaged. There were some things I discovered upon staying. I would tell the next traveler to make sure there are enough towels to use for the duration of your stay. I didn't make a big issue of this because I figured I would just launder the towels we did use since there was a washer/dryer. Upon proceeding to do this I found a dryer full of towels. As I folded them thinking they were clean and just mistakenly left I noticed they were soiled with make up stains and appeared to be dirty. Seems like the previous tenants/guest collected them after use and put them there. So I messaged David who responded immediately advising not to worry about them they would take care of them. Only days later to get a message from David accusing me of destroying towels we did not even use that were left in the dryer to begin with.
I would advise the next traveler to check each room to make sure it is clean from debris on the floors. The 2nd bedroom had small black beads in the corners and on the floor. This was a safety hazard being that someone could have slipped and fell. I didn't bother to message David as it was an easy fix to just sweep them up.
Overall these things made me feel uneasy given our current COVID-19 pandemic. It made me question the overall cleanliness of the apartment. Even though it seemed to be clean to the naked eye. It raised questions. Had the unit been turned over properly? Was it thoroughly cleaned before my children and I came being that there were black beads on the floor and soiled towels still in the dryer? If it was cleaned thoroughly this would have not been the case.
I would advise the next traveler to take pics of EVERYTHING upon check in, do a quick inventory of what's there. I received a message from David days after check out asking me where his 3 wine glasses were then he stated there were2, asking if they had been broken because they were missing. We only used 2 flute glasses and 2 small glasses which were washed and face down on a kitchen towel on the counter. This I advised. We never used any wine glasses nor do I recall seeing any while there. It was myself and children/teens ages ranging from 11 to 16, we consumed mostly packaged beverages. We brought our own juice, juice pouches and bottled waters. On the upside of things there were plenty pillows and blankets to use, we slept comfortably. And surprisingly the futon slept well. Again travelers take pics of anything you notice and know you did not do and was there before you. Because I lifted the futon that morning of check out. I noticed there were stains on the futon. Then I thought this is why it's covered with tons of pillows and a throw blanket(which can be seen in the listing pics) to hide the stains. So I just put the pillows and throw back.
Days later I get a request for damages saying I must of had a party accusing me of damaging the futon w/ stains and breaking a couch we sat on once; we're not obese to break furniture. There was no party. We only ate in the kitchen and dining area. My son did spill some of his juice while eating at the counter and attempted to clean it up causing some areas of the kitchen and dining floor to be sticky. No one ate in the living area or spilled anything on the futon. I slept there Sunday night using the extra white king comforter from the 2nd bedroom. If those stains were fresh and caused by us the white king comforter I used would be stained as well from the futon of freshly made stains. The comforter is not stained with ANYTHING that I used, I told David to check it. My kids and their friends with us sat out on the deck mostly, in the dining area and bedrooms. And in the living area on the long couch playing the ps4. We utilized the eating area which was perfect and definitely accommodating for the 6 of us. Oh and the unit was surprisingly quiet being that the lake street train is right there and the restaurant downstairs.
Lastly, the place is under video and audio surveillance being recorded 24/7 by Vivint. This was to be disclosed by the host in his listing prior to booking. I saw this on the door of the apartment. This definitely raised an eyebrow, was it an oversight as to why the host failed to mention this in his listing or was that done intentionally?? Seeing this in previous listings was a deciding factor for me to keep looking, I don't care to be constantly recorded. Since we had already checked in and had no other place to go, I decided to stay.
Will I book David's place again? NO. I was not anticipating being accused of damaging towels we did not use, breaking or stealing wine glasses, staining futon when I only slept there and breaking furniture. We simply came for a small getaway we all deserved given the current state of things around us. This was my 1st time using an Airbnb. I wanted a more home away from home feeling for us with more amenities offered than at a hotel. I learned a valuable lesson. If I choose to use Airbnb again I will be sure to take pics of everything and take inventory of what's there the day of check in. I will take pics of things discovered during the duration of our stay as well as notify the host