This is a really difficult review to write as there were many high points to our stay - Christina is a super responsive host and was sure to call ahead and make sure we were all set. She was also quick to answer when I had questions. And as for the space, it couldn’t be in a better location and architecturally will impress any visitor. Zilker, south congress, downtown, Lady Bird lake…all a stones throw. Lastly the place is pet friendly which can be hard to find.
However, either due to issues from past stays or from the host not being around, the house really didn’t deliver on many aspects. We were met with a fairly dirty space, huge cobwebs in any space not within arms reach, a missing front main curtain (as the rod apparently broke off) and only holes in the walls where art once hung. The AC (a lifesaver over the last month) install had left huge cutouts in the walls and ceilings when hadn’t yet been patched and there was a 4x2 foot cutout of the wall between the main bedroom closet (which has no doors) and the guest room. Had both rooms been occupied this would have meant zero privacy for either party. As for beds, both double beds (no queen bed as included in the listing) sit on box springs only - no bed frame. And one of the mattresses really is just springs…I wouldn’t ask someone to sleep on it. Lastly, the house didn’t include any of the basics or the small details the best hosts provide their visitors - after getting into the place, our first stop was HEB for things like toilet paper, paper towels and hand and dish soap. Had we had more than 2 people, more towels would have also been on the list as we were provided two towels and two hand towels.
The house is for month long stays only and listed at a premium price. Had there only been one or two of these issues, my review likely would be very different, but for what I paid I didn’t expect to feel like I was in a half finished house that had been neglected by either it’s host or who she’s asked to look after it. I also expected to have TP in the bathroom.
Lastly, I’d note that when I pulled into the driveway I was met by a destroyed gate (which Christina had told me about saying the last guest had broken it and she was working on getting it fixed). Upon a chat with the neighbor we were told it had been that way for months….it doesn’t give me hope for anything at the place to change. I hope it does as it could be a legendary place to stay, but as it is, I can not recommend. And that’s the first time I’ve said that about an Airbnb.