Absolutely DO NOT STAY HERE. I honestly do not know how she’s declared a super host. Maybe my experience is skewed with covid and the riots happening across the country, but I honestly doubt it. Immediately upon getting off the freeway you’re greeted by a road of houses that are abandoned and boarded up, tons of homeless, and horrible streets. You drive about 5 minutes into the area and you arrive at Zoies, where the surrounding areas are the same. Across the street none of the houses are occupied and are boarded up because no one wants to live there because it’s such a bad location. Upon parking I was VERY concerned about leaving my car in that area. I stepped out of my car willing to give the benefit of the doubt but immediately I stepped out and 4 guys approached me asking for money. I got back in and drove off. I will not compromise my safety. Period.
I am traveling alone on a road trip across the US and have done plenty of traveling alone abroad— this is the worst experience I’ve ever had upon arriving to a Airbnb/hotel. Zoie told me multiple times that it was safe and you’d just have to use “street smarts”. This is much more than that. I’m not stupid and I’ve done PLENTY of walking alone in cities at night to know what street smarts are— this is just plain unsafe. I also mapped it, and to me this doesn’t appear to be a 10 minute walk to FQ like she’s claiming— but maybe I was mistaken on the FQ address as I’ve never been to New Orleans before. But again, you wouldn’t catch me walking alone in that neighborhood. So don’t count on walking anywhere— even if it is only a 10 minute walk. You’ll have to rely on Uber or Lyft. IF you decide to book this Airbnb— don’t be alone. Do not do it. There’s plenty of other places downtown with similar rates that are MUCH better and safer for solo travelers. I ended up having to book a last minute place downtown that was super comfortable and in a good location and HALF the price.
I didn’t end up entering Zoies house because I felt so uncomfortable in the area and didn’t want to risk my car getting broken into. Plus, the road is in such horrible condition outside of her house that you have to drive through a million potholes so it was hard to even find a place to park without risking my tire popping. Note: I drive an AWD CRV I don’t know how a lower car could handle this road. The outside of her house at least looked true to the photos but can’t speak to the inside of the house as I didn’t enter.
I requested a refund from Airbnb but zoie denied it saying “I didn’t contact her so no” (at least what Airbnb said). Which I think solidifies that Zoie doesn’t care about guest experience and solely the money her Airbnb brings. Also, I never contacted Zoie because I assumed Airbnb would be the person helping me— what is Zoie going to do? Kick the homeless people out of the area? Tell me to suck it up and it’s safe when it’s so clear it isn’t a safe area? Why would I contact her with my concern for safety. She wasn’t willing to even admit the area is in bad shape so Airbnb said it wasn’t a violation. Which is ridiculous. So again. If you have made it this far. Do. Not. Do. It. And if you get there and are hesitant I guess contact Zoie and express your concerns and maybe you’ll get a refund. I also want to add, there’s a reason why her photos of the house are so close up and not showing the road (that you can find on other Airbnb’s). It’s because she’s hiding the condition of the area from you. You can find other places that are maybe 10.00 more expensive that are WAY better— or a hotel downtown and save $ on an Uber or Lyft.
Hope this helps.