Pros:
Location and apartment are ok
Cons:
There were few more issues which were resolved by host and Airbnb, but the biggest disappointment was check in experience. I don’t see similar review, so maybe other people had different experience (host was busy at that day, haha). Maybe I’m staying a lot in Hilton and Marriott properties with digital check in option and have high standards , but during covid era even Airbnb hosts started to offer contactless check in, release form and other stuff can be done online.
This particular host did not offer that option, so from the beginning I knew what I’m signing up for, but we did not expect this:
1) It was too much pressure with check in. We like to relax on Saturday and don’t feel constant pressure. We usually arrive at the hotel in any time, usually at night, we like to travel and make spontaneous stops during drive. But with Airbnb we do our best to arrive sooner (when it is not contactless check in). Host messaged and called us very early, we are from California and he saw it on our profile , but still thought it is ok to make calls at 7am, there were few more calls/messages until we arrived.
I understand that host want to deal with the guests as soon as possible and proceed with his stuff, but I don’t feel it should be done at the guest’s expense, especially if you are the one, who opted in for personal check in.
2) In our family I’m the one who do check in and my husband is staying in the car watching luggage. When we arrived, he dropped me off on the wrong side of the road and I went to apartment from there ( host knew about my arrival). I got into apartment and host was not anywhere to be found, I called him and he told me he is outside. I waited a little and then went outside to look for him.
Instead of meeting me inside and do quick check in, he tracked down and approached our car. He offered help with the luggage, my husband told him “no thanks, we are good”, but he still grabbed our luggage and took it. It was odd and too much into your face, then later we realised that he was just checking out our car under excuse to help. He wanted to make sure that only 2 of us arrived ( no additional hidden guests). It was unpleasant to be treated as criminals, when we did not do anything and I felt like our privacy was violated.
3) When we were inside, he told us we need to sign release form, otherwise we cannot check in. We were tired, but still inspected apartment somehow. We signed the form, but mentioned that if there are any issues pop up later, it doesn’t mean anything ( Guess what? Issues popped up later)
4) Host asked for my spouse’s id, I provided my id and it should be enough
5) In the final, he started to do walk through. While some people like it, I feel it should be optional. You should ask people , if they wanna walk through or not.
a) it takes my time
b) I quickly forget what I was told, so instructions written in Airbnb or on the fridge work better in my opinion.
Conclusion: too much pressure and unnecessary communication, not pleasant check in experience