This reservation was canceled by Michael ~1 hr before scheduled check-in due to citywide shutdown of water - Michael had informed me the toilets/showers would not be able to be used for the foreseeable future 2 hrs before my check-in time. With this last minute update on conditions, I requested him to cancel the reservation so I could look into alternate hotel options.
This review is not for Michael's rented room. I never saw it, never stayed there due to the cancellation so cannot speak for cleanliness, location, accuracy, etc.
This review is for the extremely poor communication leading up to the stay. In the weeks prior to my stay, Michael did not respond at all to a few of my inquiries regarding check-in time etc - I even called him multiple times to reach him. Eventually, I had to nudge him with a follow up message in order to prompt a response via Airbnb message out of him. No apology or mention or the missed phone calls/message responses. Not professional considering he is a longtime host of a 5 star Airbnb home.
Worst communication -
Michael informed me the night before check-in there was no water available in his home as of the moment. I told him to keep me updated as that would be a problem.
I flew early morning the next day and anxiously checked my inbox & phone upon landing for updates on the water situation. Seeing none from Michael, I assumed the water issue had been fixed. I messaged Michael letting him know I had landed and would be checking in soon. To my horror, he responded saying that "The water is still not working, no toilet/shower use -plumber will not be coming until late afternoon. But problem is citywide."
Not only did he not take the responsibility as the host to inform me the issue had not been resolved/keep me updated, but I had to pry it out of him by reaching out to him and asking for details on the situation upon my arrival at airport. Extremely stressful experience. Extremely unprofessional communication and host behavior. Considering the conditions were uninhabitable, I requested he cancel the reservation immediately as I no longer had the time to deal with the slow communication & lack of information and wait on the "possibility" of water being fixed. I was then forced to frantically research for a new hotel stay.
I have used Airbnb for 3 years extensively in Maui, Oahu, Irvine, New York, SF, Portland, Chicago, Austin, etc and communication plays a crucial role in maintaining guest comfort, experience, and loyalty. Michael's poor communication prior to the stay and ultimately in the final handling of the reservation was very inconsiderate to me as a guest flying in with her father for vacation. Again, I remain neutral on the aspects of his home but his communication skills as a host need improvement - timely responses and active communication between host and guest are necessary.