I really don’t like writing negative reviews. In fact, I can’t remember ever writing one before. I would rather just keep my mouth shut and learn from the experience. But this Airbnb experience was so infuriating that I need to vent. The best thing I can say about this particular Airbnb is that it was a learning experience. First, the positives: It was clean and well-located, near Music Row, which is where I wanted to be. The passcode entry system was straightforward and easy to use. Also, the apartment was well-appointed, with functional furniture, a large flat-screen TV and even a nice acoustic guitar that my stepson enjoyed playing.
A minor annoyance was that the apartment is in some serious disrepair and in need of some TLC. The door to the bedroom has delaminated, so it couldn’t be closed properly. The threshold had also come loose, apparently as a result of the damaged door. One of the towel racks comes off the wall if one is not careful in replacing the towel. One of the dresser drawers in the bedroom has the bottom falling out, etc.
But all of this pales in comparison to the fact that on three of the four days of our stay, the apartment sounded like it was in the middle of a construction zone. There were hours on hammering, drilling, sawing and sanding that was so loud that it sounded like it was taking place in the Airbnb unit itself, rather than in an adjoining unit. I presume that it was from the apartment upstairs,* since there is a vent in the bathroom and the sound was seemingly loudest in this room. But the outrageously loud noise permeated the entire unit. I was literally given headaches on two of the days because of the intensity of the construction noises. Luckily, I don’t get migraines.
This was only my third experience with an Airbnb rental, but I am seriously considering whether I will use the service again. At least in a hotel, one could request another room, in the unlikely event that the management placed you next door to construction. In the case of an Airbnb apartment, that option doesn’t exist.
If I do decide to use the Airbnb service in the future, I will certainly ask all future hosts to confirm that there will be no construction happening during our stay.
*This is ironic, since there is a note in the bathroom asking guests to turn the bathroom ventilation fan off when not in use, because it apparently annoys the upstairs neighbors.