Overall our stay was OK. The best thing was the view and the quick access to the beach. There were some cleanliness issues that were a bit concerning but not a huge deal but still made me wonder why they charge a cleaning fee in the first place.
Word of caution, backyard was full of goose poop. At some point my 2 year old was clenching something in her fist. I thought it was a rock, but turns out it was goose poop.
They really had the most basic of the basics for amenities. Motel shampoo for example. Dried out makeup remover towelettes. Old coffee in the cabinet, no sugar, no napkins. Practically empty soap dispensers and laundry detergent. A broom, but with no dustpan. Maybe a few more amenities would have gone a long way, and a quick refill of products for new guests.
I also found it a bit odd that the property manager/host asked for us to throw in a load of laundry for them before we checked out. What’s the point of charging a cleaning fee? I’ve done a lot of traveling in my life but never had a host request that of me. Maybe it’s common practice amongst some Airbnb’s, but if I was a host, I would be too embarrassed to ask. That’s why there are cleaning fees! I still washed and dried their sheets before I left and their towels were in the wash by the time I left.
There was a portable air conditioner for us which we greatly appreciated, being that it was a hot summer weekend, but it was so loud that it gave my husband a headache at night. The place offers a nice breeze though so you can probably do without if loud noises bother you.
Communication seemed to be an issue here as well, especially since I messaged Evolve the next day after our departure about a make up bag that I left in the bathroom and I still have not received a response. I have a friend who lives nearby and she would have gladly picked it up for me if whoever cleaned the house reported it missing and saved it for me.
Ultimately I would stay in Portsmouth again but not at this specific Airbnb, nor any Airbnb’s that Evolve manages. The owner of the house came by the first day by paddle boat and met my husband and daughter in the back yard by the water. She was nice and asked if we are all settled in. I was inside unpacking so I didn’t meet her. I hope she and Evolve take my review and the recommendations I wrote to them privately into consideration. This place has loads of potential and it would be a shame if they didn’t change a few of these things to make their future guests a bit more comfortable, and ultimately very happy!