I lived in NYC for years when I worked at the UN and I also used airbnb quite often when I lived in europe. I always give 5 star reviews because i'm a low-maintenance traveler and I have always received 5 star reviews.
Unfortunately for Nina, I have to write a bad review and I'm a bit confused as to how she is a superhost. The place is dark and dingy and there is a weird smell and heat coming out of the bathroom vent. We also heard constant banging and footsteps above us. And, communication with Nina was bad from the start, with her attempting to almost bully us into taking our money while also trying to convince us to book another place, due to a "typo" she said she made in our messages.
I had very politely asked days before check-in about checking in earlier than 5. This is the first time I had ever heard of a 5pm check-in and all my airbnb hosts have been awesome with flexibility, having a reasonable check-in time, etc. She had mentioned the cleaning staff cleans from 11-3 and I literally said "Hi Nina, Would the check-in time be at 3? I saw on the listing it was 5 so that's why I was asking. If it's at 3pm, that works then!" to which she responded with a message stating multiple times "11-3 is the window to clean." and then says "I asked what time you wanted to check in". Okay, rude red flag, but I just said never mind and that 5 was fine.
The day before, I had an interview, it was a heat wave, and we had a huge gap in between our check-in. Given that 5 is such a late check-in compared to other airbnbs and hotels, I decided to ask again "Hi Nina, is there really no way we can check in earlier without being charged? That's disappointing since it will be sitting clean and empty after 3 anyway and 5 is so late."
We then received, what has been described by others after I showed them the conversation, as unhinged messages. She goes on about dust, she doesn't know what others do but she does this, help me to understand why it's so important and you are trying to guilt me. I don't think we are a good fit, I asked you a genuine question and you haven't replied, that the cleaner cleans until 11-5 etc. etc."
To which I responded, "Nina, you said the window was 11-3, not 11-5. That is why I asked since we are coming from a place at 12 and are out with our suitcases. If that's not possible, then okay. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding when you said 11-3, but you don't have to be so rude."
She replied: "Sorry it was a typo and I meant 11-5 the ladies clean.....I am sorry 'you feel' I am being rude but we discussed this last week and now you are mentioning it again. Maybe you should stay somewhere else."
I said "No, I'm not going to spend more money to stay somewhere else. It's understandable that I was confused since you said 11-3. I will check in at 5." wanting to disengage the situation, but she continued to escalate it and encourage me to book a hotel and take my money, by saying "I don't know if you'd spend money or less (what does this even mean? obviously I would spend money) but if it's important to you, you should find a host that can accommodate you. ..at this point I don't really want a guest to stay with me that is harboring animosity." (aka please let me take your money and stay somewhere else so i don't get a bad review)
I replied calmly "I'd be happy to stay somewhere else if i'm given a full refund. Otherwise, I can stay in the place I booked and paid for or we can get airbnb involved."
From there she realized she wasn't going to just take my money after escalating a fight with me and called me in her "superhost mode" as if she had never escalated such an unnecessary and rude situation.
There has been recent negative press about airbnb lately and I think this story is one that exemplifies all the criticism. I suggest Nina improve her communication skills and her apartment should she want to continue hosting. There are hotels in gowanus that are better quality for the same price.