My partner Frankie and I, and their ESA Stella, stayed here for two months over the summer while visiting family. On the day of our check-in, we received last minute notice from the hosts that the apartment was still being renovated and was not yet ready for us. When we did check-in later that evening, we realized that the apartment was not in fact the one we booked, and that the hosts had failed to mention this to us, only saying that they had done renovations. The pictures we saw were those on https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/677594422283905769 ; the photos for the original listing we booked were changed during our stay. Additionally, the hallways and apartment smelled strongly of gas and paint and continued to do so for several days. We were disappointed by the host’s bait and switch, and that the listing was missing some of the shown amenities including direct patio access, a record selection and record player, and so forth.
While we stayed in the space for our booked stay (we were leery of raising the issue in case we upset and were forced out by the host, particularly in light of July headlines around the costs of moving last minute into a similar place on Airbnb, especially with a dog and while we were so far from home), we pointed out the issue after check-out. Rather than apologize for the situation, the host threatened us with alleged additional cleaning costs that they had not mentioned during the week after our check-out (during which we were driving back to Austin, TX and on vacation). When we mentioned the discrepancy, they were willing to “call it even” if the issue did not go to mediation.
We also experienced a number of other issues during our stay. For example, the mattress was not safely supported and fell through the frame several times, even just as a result of moving in bed at night. There was a complete lack of a bed board (the hosts later had a handyman come by and cut one, but the flimsy boards, which were supporting a thin piece of plywood that the mattress rested on, continued to fall to the ground sporadically). The mattress nearly fell on our dog’s head on at least one occasion. Some windows didn’t open, there were loud children’s singing classes directly below the apartment multiple times a week, and a weak stove flume resulted in the fire alarm going off easily.
During our stay, the building was still undergoing renovations, and we were often notified last minute e.g. it was only day-of, after the work day had already started (we both work from home), that the hosts notified us that the doors in the hallway would be replaced, which was extremely noisy. Renovations would occur after the hosts would first announce them (as in the case of sanding the staircase), and when the bed issue was being addressed and AC installed (it was only available in the bedroom and not living area when we first arrived), the host/s and their handyman would miss agreed upon time windows and show up at times we specifically asked them not to.
We were wary after reading Linc’s previous review, but in need of long term, pet friendly housing and had taken a risk on this listing. We are still in a mediation process. I would be cautious about staying here, or at any of the host’s properties, in the future.