A wonderful apartment in a great location. Thanks for the stay David. I had the opportunity to check in early which was a plus. Though a few changes need to be made with the welcome information so there's no back and forth over an app for clarification and, instead, to allow for a seamless experience for all involved in every touchpoint of the trip. I've not had this level of inconsistent messaging in an airbnb before: a listing that may say one thing, or sometimes two conflicting things, and being told something else in the text app. So if the information hasn't been updated please do, to allow a great experience for everyone involved and, if someone is acting on David's behalf while he is away, for David to know if things are working/missing. So that there aren't lengthly, honest reviews like this one.
I'm not meaning to be 'nip picky' but it's in these instances where I realise that, beyond the home itself, a great experience comes down to clear communication from the outset.
With this listing, the inconsistent messaging relates to check the out time, to the entertainment unit, wifi set up etc. I read in the app's welcome message that check out is at 1pm and another part of the app said 10am which I didn't read (which is crucial, because I too want this to be easy on all parties involved, myself, the host and the next guest) me and my partner were flexible, and ended up checking out by the then agreed 11am time, but we had to rush and inconvenience the set up for the next guest. For context, my partner had a medical appointment the previous day from a chronic injury, was feeling down about it and had intended to use that morning and what I read as a 1pm checkout to relax in the bath and ease her pain before a flight that would exacerbate her chronic pain. The bath was filled up and ready to go but that's when we got a message telling us that next guest had bags out the front and we were expected to check out. When I was in exchange with David (or someone acting for David) about the 1pm check out time I got a response "Not sure where you are reading that?" to which I screen grabbed the welcome information that I had read which I assumed David wrote when he posted the listing on Aribnb? Again, it was worked out in the end, but it could've been avoided entirely if there was clear consistent messaging within the app.
Upon check-in, when trying to use the app info to set up wifi, I was on the text app, and on a couple of occasions told that the "wifi information was in the airbnb app" however the app listed old information (again another reason why I think someone is acting on behalf of David). Since there was new wifi I needed to set up the television to link it to the internet. It's then I noticed an Apple TV remote but no Apple TV. In texts and the app welcome info said that apple TV was plugged in next to the TV, I sent a text image of there not being an Apple TV plugged in - with the cable unplugged just to be clear that it was missing. Then I was told I "didn't need to find it." (Despite the odd response, especially just being told via text there was Apple TV, I felt it was important to let David know if his Apple TV was missing).
The app also said parking in the area incurred a small fee (which I was willing to pay for and asked to pay for it before my stay) and then I was told that I could take daily permits FOC instead.
Again these are not super major matters, though if something is missing from his apartment, especially a feature advertised as part of the stay, he should be informed immediately. And "free" parking in Sydney is always a bonus (esp if built into the cost of an airbnb stay) .
I'm making these points public in my airbnb review because the information on the listing was not updated during my stay and I don't want the same issues to remain for future guests.
The place is beautiful, spacious with some hi-tech features with a fantastic location but these small, yet significant details are necessary to raise so that everyone can just have a great hassle-free time.