*Sleep not guaranteed, be careful around host.*
We really enjoyed the apartment and neighborhood. As everyone notes, it’s a no-frills, cozy vibe in a convenient location.
Unfortunately, it was a really unpleasant experience otherwise. If you are considering staying in Apartment #1, beware that you can hear EVERYTHING that’s happening in the apartment above yours. Even just walking around, you can hear the person’s steps and creaking above you. Normally not an issue if you are the other occupant are busy during the night and sleeping at night. However, in our case the person above us was very active every few days between the hours of 1-5am and made it impossible to sleep.
When we only slept for 2-3 hours on our first night, Reid was friendly initially. He told us that they were violating his house rules, and it shouldn’t be a problem again.
In retrospect, we should have contacted Airbnb and left immediately. We’ve never left a negative review, much less had to contact Airbnb about an issue with a host, so if we had known that that was the best recourse, we would have done so.
The late night noise continued every 4th-5th night, and each time Reid assured us it shouldn’t be an issue going forward. He even said that he was going to put down additional rugs in the apartment above us to try to help the situation.
My girlfriend and I work during the week, and our jobs are stressful. I had to apologize during an important work call that I had only gotten 2 hours of sleep the previous night because I was barely finishing complete sentences. We made it through to the end of the month, being sleep deprived every 4th-5th day.
The day before we leave, I call Reid and tell him that it happened again the previous night. I think he may have been having an “off” day, because he erupts, and begins YELLING at me: “IF YOU HAD TOLD ME THIS AT THE FRONTEND, I WOULD HAVE LET YOU OUT AND RE-RENTED.”
“Ok, Reid, this has happened every single week we’ve been here. I’m not springing it on you now.”
“LISTEN, I DON’T GET PAID ENOUGH FOR THIS SH*T. YOU’RE ASKING ME TO SEND YOU MONEY, AREN’T YOU?”
“No, I’m not.”
Totally unprompted, he yells:
“GO AHEAD AND LEAVE A BAD REVIEW. I HAVE 650 REVIEWS ON AIRBNB. I DON’T CARE.”
I realize the conversation isn’t going to be productive. I try to get off the phone, he continues yelling.
“Ok, this conversation is ending now, goodbye.”
I was stunned at his hostility. Perhaps having “650 reviews,” he feels like he can do as he pleases. I was prepared to call the police if he approached the apartment.
I’ve never left a negative review online for anything, but this is where I draw the line.
If you must rent this apartment (we would never recommend it), a few suggestions:
- Bring a white noise machine and ear plugs. We had to buy these during our final week. They will help drown out the noise above you.
- Keep all of your communication with Reid through the Airbnb app. He will try to call/message you on your phone. You are going to want to have your bases covered.
- If you experience excessive noise that makes it impossible to sleep a full night, leave immediately and contact Airbnb. It will not help to try to work productively with Reid.
We loved Asheville: did all the hikes, went to all the breweries. The thing we kept commenting on was the friendliness of the people. Every place we went, we would spend hours striking up conversation with the people nearby.
It’s a wonderful place to visit. We will be back.. just staying somewhere else!