BACKGROUND:
I am an experienced traveler and I’ve stayed in many Airbnbs over the past decade, from India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Paris, Washington DC to Ireland. I have never left anything but primarily positive reviews.
I booked this unit for me, my female cousin, and my sister for 2 nights and disclosed the number of guests and our names upon booking.
There were some concerns with this unit that I’d want to know about if I were a future guest:
1. GUEST EXPERIENCE
I messaged Ainsley 2 days before check in to let her know that my cousin and sister would be checking in first at 2pm, and provided their phone numbers. Ainsley gave me her phone number, and informed me the lock box code would be provided on the day of check in and that she would be there in person herself as well.
My cousin was the first person to arrive to the unit, and arrived on public transit about 15 minutes early. She texted the number Ainsley provided, mentioning she had arrived, and asked for the lock box code. She added “no worries if I need to wait! :)” She got no text back.
Moments later, a man slowly drove by in his car and started yelling at my cousin out the window of his car, saying “HEY! HEY! YOU!!!” as she was sitting on the front steps of the apartment. She minded her own business, as she didn’t know the gentleman, and he didn’t use her name. He then stopped his car in the middle of the street and walked over to her, yelling “HEY! YOU! I WAS TALKING TO YOU! YOU GOTTA LISTEN TO ME WHEN IM F***ING TALKING TO YOU!”
She was shocked at his behavior, and he still he didn’t use her name, or introduce himself. He then said; “Are you here for the Airbnb?!?!” Well you’re just gonna have to wait!!” And he went inside the unit.
While he was inside, a woman came out of the same car and told my cousin; “I’m Ainsley- sorry- 2 minutes!” And ran back to her car.
About 15 minutes later, the man came out of the apartment and let my cousin into the unit.
2. LACK OF DISCLOSURE ABOUT IDENTITY OF THE HOST
This listing is posted under a host named Ainsley and the profile photo shows a photo of a woman. I assumed that’s who I was messaging. However, on the day of check in, the man described above showed up to let my cousin into the unit. He never disclosed his name or relationship to the host. If this person is operating the Airbnb or is a business partner, he should disclose his name and photo on the profile. If he’s just helping Ainsley out, he should at least introduce himself.
3. CONFUSING CHECK IN PROCEDURE
The check in instructions say there is a lock box. However, as explained above, we were never given a code. I messaged again the day before check out to ask about the lock box key, and I was instructed to leave the keys on the table. Totally fine if the host doesn’t plan to use the lockbox, but it might be helpful to let guests know in advance.