I have been an Airbnb user for almost 4 years and have stayed at many properties across the world and never had a serious issue. I booked this property based upon the positive reviews and that it was advertised as self check-in. My correspondence with the host prior to my arrival was nothing unusual. From my impression, this is a 20+ floor apartment/condo-style building operating similar to a hotel.
From arrival on, there were a litany of issues (some serious), including…
- The check-in instructions were not sent to me until after the listed check-in time
- The property not being self check-in
- The security guard I was told by the host to check-in with placed a neon pink Tyvek bracelet on my wrist. This bracelet also had the building address of the apartment on it in large, bold letters. The guard told me that it was to remain on for the entirety of my stay (5 nights), had to be shown each time I entered or exited the building lobby, and that it was waterproof “so showering in it would not be an issue.” This is a ridiculous policy and it is unsafe for guests to be expected to wear a bracelet around a tourist city with the address of the apartment they are staying in prominently printed on it.
- I was not given a key or code to enter into my assigned apartment by either the guard or the host in the check-in instructions
- After failing to enter the unit and reaching out to the host, I was given a code that was the same 4-digit code as my unit number (not secure!)
- After multiple attempts to access the unit with this code and a FaceTime call with the host, I was told to try a second code that was the 4-digit street address of the building. Also not secure, as this would suggest that units in the building have the same access code. Be reminded that the street address of the building was also on the bracelet I had placed on my wrist, meaning that guests would be inadvertently advertising the key code to their unit around a tourist city.
I have never experienced anything like this at another Airbnb. Because of these issues and the apparent lack of security, I feared for my safety and the security of my personal property. I immediately notified Airbnb Support of my experience and left the building. I booked a hotel nearby and I have been working with Airbnb Support on a resolution. Please do yourself a favor and avoid this property and any others that are advertised as being in the same building.