Not quite a “Diamond”…yet.
Pros:
1. The host Montise was very understanding and responsive, she made sure we were properly given access to the building/apartment. She also took the time to check in and made sure we had everything we needed. She was also quick to offer assistance and fix all the problems we faced which I will note under “cons”.
2. The bed was comfortable and you had the option to watch movies on demand with TV in the bedroom which we appreciated. Also snacks were provided for guests upon arrival.
3. The price is reasonable considering it’s an apartment in NYC. The apartment is exactly as pictured, what you see is literally what you get. Nothing fancy or over the top. Please keep in mind that the apartment is in an up and coming neighborhood as well so be careful when walking around at night.
Cons:
We had a series of unfortunate events happen during our stay that caused us to have to leave the apartment 2 days into our stay and find other accommodations. As a result, the host was kind enough to give us a full refund.
1. A part of the roof above the kitchen caved in due to water damage and created a hole that was leaking water into the kitchen. The leak caused the apartment to smell like mold/mildew.
2. The stove did not work properly. When attempting to turn it on, it smelled like gas and wouldn’t turn on. We later found out it apparently was not plugged in correctly. This could have been a fire hazard had we proceeded to try and light the stove with a match or lighter.
3. The apartment as a whole was unclean. Most surfaces around the apartment felt sticky and grimy to the touch (counters, floor, fridge, etc.). The stove and microwave still had food residue like it had not been cleaned in weeks. Plates and utensils too did not look clean or properly washed. Overall, we did not feel comfortable using the kitchen or common area outside of the bedroom.
4. The air conditioner in the bedroom broke, it looked like it had short circuited and would not unplug from the wall.
Suggestions:
Overall, the host is correct in calling this apartment a diamond in the rough as it still needs a lot of work before it can truly be called a diamond. Some suggestions for improvement I would offer from previous Airbnb stays which I consider to be standard are as follows:
1. Maintanance to fix all the above mentioned health/fire hazards. Ensure every appliance is working correctly and in good shape.
2. Lockbox for keys to the apartment so guests are not reliant on someone being there to check them in and can self-check in as needed.
3. Cleaning service between each stay/booking especially since guests are charged a cleaning fee when booking. This will go a long way in improving guest experience!
4. A folder or binder with instructions for WiFi, house rules, keys, getting around the neighborhood, etc. Though this information was provided, it was not provided in an organized way but instead as pieces of paper taped to different surfaces around the apartment.
5. Closet space for guest’s clothing/items. Though the apartment has a closet, it was filled with things that belonged to the host or whoever lives in the apartment which left no room for guests to hang up their clothes or store their items.