Being in a relatively new building, this unit has been fine so far. But, the Host has not maintained it well, and it is now plagued with a moderate-to-severe roach infestation that will be very difficult to eliminate.
Book at your own risk. If you do go for it, try to guide the oily brown critters away from running under the appliances or bed. You can use the frying pan in the kitchen to smash them and be sure to always zip up your luggage to avoid bringing them and their eggs in your belongings back home. Warning: When you smash them, they *will* burst out yellowy, chunky pus. And, future guests: You may want to wash the frying pan if you use it just in case this advice catches on… ;-)
Your mileage may vary, but I ended up contending with at least a dozen roaches during my stay here before relocating. While I noticed a couple during the first couple of days (which put me on guard but didn’t seem like enough to be alarmed), I noticed a handful more on the third day as I became more vigilant—they were probably there all along. I succumbed to sleeping with them crawling around that night since I couldn’t catch them and needed to give an important talk at a research conference in the morning. Hot tip: Wear ear plugs so they won’t burrow into your ears.
Honestly though, I slept soooo bad. Seeing up to half a dozen roaches creeping around and having to sleep in a bed where you saw some crawling nearby just moments before is no small feat. It is a horror that can be scarcely imagined unless you actually experience it firsthand. I wouldn’t want to be subjected to such torture even if I was *being paid*—the TV show “Fear Factor” comes to mind—much less pay my hard-earned money to experience it. Periodically reappearing and eluding capture, the roaches were always still around even if hidden under crevices under the kitchen cabinets and appliances or unreachable beneath the bed.
The next day, about half a dozen more roaches appeared throughout the night after I finally had time to contact the Host and Airbnb about it. Mind you, I was incredibly busy giving two research talks and being involved all day at the conference and then having dinner with friends and colleagues so, yes, this was a day after I became gradually aware that the infestation was serious and widespread.
But, the Host didn’t care and still demanded me to pay in full for the stay—not even a partial refund for that night I tried to sleep with roaches around me after I contacted her about it. She said nope… it doesn’t count since she was already peacefully asleep and didn’t see my message. Ironic, because here I was living in hell unable to sleep by the torment of roaches scurrying around while she blissfully slept. Not my problem... she says… you stay, you pay. At least she knows how to rhyme, right?
In fact, the Host not only showed no compassion but was irate that I got Airbnb involved to help relocate me, culminating in a man working on her behalf entering the unit unannounced when I happened to be taking a shower. He demanded I talk to some property manager on his phone who vulgarly berated me about reaching out to Airbnb hollering, “You’re acting like a child!” while I scrambled to grab a towel to barely cover myself. What the heck. BTW… this violated Airbnb’s Policy for Guest Privacy and Safety not to mention flagrantly disregarded basic human decency and respect.
Realizing that the Host and her affiliates had gone madly vengeful while not thinking twice before freely entering my private space with no warning or permission (even while I might be possibly away), I vacated immediately and coordinated with Airbnb for my safety.
Update: The trauma of living amongst so many roaches is still lingering as I continue to compulsively check for them crawling on the floor or walls around me even when I’m back home. This may not happen to you if you’re psychologically stronger than me. I hope to get over this after a few more weeks.
Another Update: I wonder what the Host and her people would have done if I didn’t quickly vacate as soon as I sensed they were out for revenge? Since they stormed into my unit while I was taking a shower, they wouldn’t feel anything about entering when I’m not there, right? I saw a review for her other listing that someone came in while they were away and stole AirPods which later “magically appeared” in her property manager’s office after the guest complained about it. Yikes! I’m glad I left when I did.