This review is tricky as my wife and I really wanted to give this place 5 stars.
The positives are the 180 degree view, the apartment is brand new in a luxury hotel and you can’t beat the location. The pool in the building is fantastic and they had a pack and play setup for our baby upon arrival.
While me, my wife and our infant enjoyed our 11-day stay, we didn’t start off with a smile.
It was such a disappointment to discover that this “luxury” apartment forgets “basic” amenities like garbage bags, paper towels, more than 1 roll of toilet paper in the bathrooms, a sponge for the kitchen, a dish towel, laundry detergent, cleaning products, and hand soap. While they did provide one garbage bag, 1 roll of toilet paper, we stayed for 11 days so we needed to go out and purchase the rest of these necessities as though it were our second home.
The whole purpose of us getting this apartment was to be able to cook daily, do laundry and not have to worry. Didn’t realize we would have to buy our own soap and kitchen necessities like salt, oil, and so much more. The kitchen is really nice, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a shell and you’ll have to provide every little thing you will need. I’d recommend bringing it from home because buying a dish towel, cutting board, oven mitts, etc. is just silly if you ask me. Hopefully this review will help prepare the next renters since you will know what you’re getting into.
If you don’t plan to cook or do laundry then you’re all set! There are a few plates, silverware, cups and a couple of pots.
If you book a cheap place, I would expect it to be provided with very little. However, we paid a pretty penny for this and that premium should enhance our comfortability. We surely don’t mind buying a few things, but to have to purchase everything for this empty apartment was just tacky.
The host was responsive but seemingly manages tons of other properties and overlooked the importance of the basics. Attention to detail goes a long way.
If you don’t have the basics please make sure to state it in the listing. We spent an inordinate amount of time shopping for this place as if it was our own - then had to carry it all back home with us.
As for the building, it’s clear that it is mismanaged and understaffed. There were stepped on corn chips in the hallway for a couple days till I complained to the front desk. The elevators were broken and stopped on every 3 floors up or down. Bathrooms by the pool were disgusting with no soap or TP. While this is not the fault of the apartment, it’s part of the experience.
Before you book, make sure to ask the host Jessica for a “what’s provided list” so you know that you’ll need to pack an entire house with you on your vacation.
We are super hosts ourselves, so we expect when we travel that our host cares about the guest experience and not just to flip a listing. For the 5 star price we paid, I would expect a 5-star experience and that was the big disappointment. We felt taken on a ride.