As of 14 November 2019, there was a significant building maintenance including two broken glass windows, filthy walls, exposed pipelines, on-going paintwork and swing construction ladders installed already for a while. These weren’t described in the listing. The balcony photo was different. The host was not being honest.
When the host and I arrived at the property together, there were 3 workmen at the balcony, removing the door and doing paint spray work. The mirror reflection made it look bigger in the photo but the place is tiny. Right next to the bed is the balcony.
With my huge disappointment but still bothered to find another place on the day of arrival and before a business meeting to attend, I stayed there for an hour to rethink. I’d booked this place for 2 weeks. I offered the host I could only stay if there was a significant discount.
The host came back saying I need to leave and cancel the reservation so that she could remain a “super host”. She added she didn’t have to but would give me a full refund. She forced me to cancel before I left the premise. I was going to but it was an SOS only area in the basement parking lot. I had to rush to attend a business meeting in the city but she insisted me cancelling and was basically kicking me out knowing that I had no place to go that night. I felt extremely uncomfortable and intimidated. I refused to cancel and suggested we go through Airbnb. Then I left the premise.
I parked somewhere safe and called the Airbnb customer service who were all fantastic. I’ve taken a few photos of building maintenance at the balcony before leaving and provided those as evidence. So remember to take photos if you’re in this situation and remain calm. If you feel uncomfortable, don’t do anything and speak to the Customer Service. They helped me go though the rest and find an alternative place while I was in a business meeting. I went for a slightly higher rate but it was worth spending more for peace in mind. Airbnb also had me a full refund from this place on the same day.
Hugely disappointed as this host’s reviews I’d read here before booking were all extremely positive. The place itself is clean and well-decorated. I wish the host had been honest about the current state of the property, instead of complaining about the Strata to her guest, and not intimidating. I do not think this host deserves a superhost status. Perhaps it was a bad day for her. For me, it was the worst airbnb arrival.