This was one of the worst experiences ever. As a solo young female traveler, I was assured that I could check in at 1:30pm and the keys would be in a lockbox.
Upon arrival, the lockbox was empty and the host uncontactable. I stood in the blaring sun for over an hour, down an alley with my luggage hoping someone would come and drop of a key to the empty lock box.
I tried no short of 30 times to call the host, I sent text messages and also messages on Airbnb and no response.
I could have handled the check in being delayed if this was communicated to me. I found the whole experience quite distressing not knowing if I should leave and book a room at a hotel or continue to wait and hope someone would turn up. It was the lack of communication that is unacceptable.
I had to cancel my meeting that was scheduled for that afternoon as I could not bring my luggage to a work meeting.
Over an hour and a half later I finally received a message from the host saying the keys had been dropped off.
There is no elevator so you just carry your luggage all the way to the top floor which was a struggle.
No blanket on the bed which didn’t matter in the end because the room was that hot with no air conditioning.
The dishwasher did not work and the kitchen sink leaked water all over the floor every time you turned it on.
The only saving grace was the location which is opposite Woolloomooloo wharf.