This is a really hard review to write because I feel quite conflicted about the stay. First of all, Patrick was a lovely host and helped us when we locked ourselves out of the apartment on our 2nd day. Checking in was super easy too.
The view is exactly what it describes...AMAZING!! We were happy to just relax and play games under the window and take in the view at sunset until bed. You really couldn't pick any better location to enjoy the city with a ferry stop less than 10 mins in both directions and a train stop within 10 mins too and restaurants and a small grocery store. All of this was the huge selling point for why we chose this airbnb and of course why the price tag is what it is. It was a special weekend for our family so we were happy to splurge a bit compared to what we would normally choose to pay.
However, the place was beyond need of repair and updates. The cupboards and doors are ready to come off the hinges and even door handles would pop off easily as things were so worn out. The kitchen, while old, did not have any nice supplies to use to make up for the old appliances. It advertises a coffee with a drip machine icon so I even brought ground beans but there was only instant. The very tired cutlery and lack of kitchen supplies is easily fixed even if the whole kitchen cannot affordably be updated at this time. The blankets on beds were also quite tired and had stains which is a pretty big turnoff. The mattress in the main bedroom was pretty horrible too. All of the above are things that could be changed out even with some basic ikea or or kmart options to at least try and match the price point to stay here. I felt a bit ripped off in that regard. Last thing is that he should replace one of the small heaters he had left for us in the bathroom. It was quite chilly for us tropical visitors on our trip and so we did use it in the evenings. It was a definite fire hazard though with the cord getting so hot after a while if you were to leave it on overnight. This small thing could have easily been replaced at low cost.
As I said before though, all of this was counteracted by the amazing view and location so I feel conflicted turning people off staying here since there really isn't an equivalent awesome view and location through airbnb/hotel that we could see. IN total, I would actually stay here again but not at the price we paid unless it has some of these upgrades. I would stay for a lot less money though because the positives would then be worth the money. Hopefully Patrick will take this on board as a superhost and future guests can enjoy it even more than we did.