It was challenging settling in the apartment. The communication from the host before arrival was good; they answered the question you may have, and gave you the check-in information but nothing more. You will be on your own once you arrive. After my arrival I had a few settling in questions (i.e. wifi password and room clarification) sent to the host via both Airbnb message inbox and through phone short message (sms) -- no response.-- I called the host phone number provided, but they did not pick up nor return the call. I called the person who brought me the apartment key. He said he didn’t know and asked me to contact the host. (So I first thought maybe I arrived on the weekend? Okay, let me wait for Monday. On Monday still no response to those sent-messages, not at any later time or later day, in fact not at all.)
I did not need a lot of help, the questions asked were only to re-confirm the room I meant to stay in and for wifi username & password (which I had figured them all out on my own). The last question I asked my unresponsive host was about the kitchen as I was not able to cook any meal, not even scrambled eggs or boil any instant noodles as the gas burners/stove wasn't working for me. (I tried searching Youtube/How To VDOs and asking my American friends but I couldn’t make it work). You will have a working microwave to warm up already-cooked food or make a cup of hot water for your cup of tea but it’s far from “Guests will be able to cook meals for themselves" which is advertised. So no cooking for me throughout my 28 days long stay, the cooking function that I hope to have and paid for. (I really love everything they advertise which is why I chose to stay in their place and paid a month of $1,976.77 USD)
Or maybe the gas burner/stove does work, only if the host would return my messages/calls to help me out.
On a Friday before a Sunday check-out, I sent a message to the host via Airbnb message inbox informing them of the time I will leave the apartment and asking for their checkout process -- no response --. (I also had to figure this out by myself, called the guy who brought me the key, and gave it back to him). One hour and a half later after I left the apartment, at JFK airport during my flight check in to leave the US -- I received a message from Max, the host through phone sms saying he was sorry for missing my messages and asking me what I did with the house key.
I find this unacceptable, do you?