Staying in 4.97/5 Airbnb...

[SadHols4]

... and I hate it :(. I don't get it. I think I'm hopeless and should give up on holidays. We only go away once a year and had been looking forward to it so much. Even the kids (4 and 8) aren't quite as excited.

There was meant to be toys and games, but there's nothing. I also didn't realise it was on a main road and access to the garden is through the front door so they can't come and go as they please.

The house is overall clean but not enough for my liking (sticky handles in kitchen, questionable cutlery, dust in corners). I picked it specifically for the 4.9/5 cleanliness rating. Clearly previous travellers have loved it so it is a me problem.

I'm considering decamping somewhere else. Lots of lovely other listings but they actually all have slightly lower ratings than this so I'd probably end up disappointed there too.

Feeling so deflated I could cry! And feel like I let the kids down as in previous years we've had lovely stays.

I appreciate it is a first world problem and don't feel as hard done by after reading the "D&V on every holiday" thread 😅

Have you arrived today? Hopefully after a good nights sleep you’ll feel better tomorrow

Dust in the corners is ruining your holiday?

I could have written this. I’m in the same position but contending with dirty bedding and one bathroom out of action (4.9/5 and lots of “spotlessly clean” reviews). Owner seems non-plussed so taking it to Air BnB. If it makes you feel any better, I generally feel underwhelmed when I first arrive, but grow into it after a few days.

I don't think there's anything wrong with mentioning to the host that the listing stated toys and games were available so you didn't bring any.

However the main road thing is on you (sorry), you should have looked the property up if that was a concern with young children. It's probably not been an issue with other travellers if it's not been mentioned in reviews, and I wouldn't expect it to be listed on the advert.

Complain if it’s not as advertised. They charge a fortune and should be run professionally

Yes I am hoping by tomorrow the "living in someone else's house/grime" feeling will lessen.

The main road thing wouldn't be an issue really if there was a way to the garden through the back, which you'd assume. As it happens, someone with small kids commented this last week, but by that point we were committed.

It's also stuff like no tea towels in the kitchen, Barbecue is grimy, one grimy dish was left in the oven, I didn't check and preheated it and it stank like burnt oil...

And also there is someone living in the basement! The listing mentioned they were living in independent annex but made it sound like it was at the bottom of the garden, not underneath us.

Urgh. I don't know whether to fork out on somewhere else but as the first days are usually the worst I'd potentially feel the same again. Also nothing is available for the full duration so we would have to come back here at the end. Such a faff.

Yes arrived today. Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

Sorry you are in this position! Our bedrooms seem quite nice at least, though I decided not to inspect bedding as I worried it would make me spiral further! Ignorance is bliss 😅

The owner seems lovely so I feel bad. It's probably why she has had good reviews so far... i think I will ask about toys and tea towels tomorrow!

I don't know if you know the Luanna podcast but the presenter told the story of her Airbnb in Italy this summer. They were left with the house dog to look after and asked to feed it (not mentioned in the listing), and it was having diarrhea everywhere. So it could be worse 😂

I hope your stay improves!

It depends what type of accommodation you booked. We had a forest studio the big selling point was that it was ‘ on the forest.’ And yet… I had to make one memorable visit to remove a spider from the outside Terrace because the visitors didn’t expect spiders and couldn’t cope with them. Which begs the question… Why the fuck would you book a forest getaway?

I would not be happy with someone below!!

It really doesnt sound at all as
described.

Yes, not the relaxing peaceful stay I had in mind!! Also kind of weird for them to live in a garage with tiny windows barely above ground. Kind of creepy looking.

Haha yes that is unhinged! Won't feel so bad asking for a tea towel then if some people are happy to ask for spider removal!!!

I have been browsing and haven't quite found the right thing yet but I think I will just book the last 2 or 3 nights somewhere else as a treat. Something to look forward to and end the holiday on a high without being too out of pocket.

I've stayed in loads, abroad and UK, but I know what you mean. I sometimes think the photos are taken really well, and although the reality is "accurate" it is not quite as good in real life, and unless it is immaculate, I find fault, I often find that on Day 2, I have warmed up a bit, by Day 3, I am liking certain aspects even saying "we should have one of these at home", and on Day 4, you would not get me to swap because I have got used to the new environment and it smells like us (weird thing to say, but people will get what I mean). If it is not as described then go back to host first (we had one recently with none of the air con working in a hot country, it never really got fixed, but we did have a good time and liked some other aspects), then to airbnb. Unless it is intolerable, I would not move really, the upheaval etc. and what is left on the market at this late stage cannot be as good as if you had your pick 6 months ago. Sometimes if there are complaints, both parties resolve off line, and no reviews are left, hence the great ratings. Defo don't worry too much about your kids, the Airbnb that we had that was the worst of all time in Spain - huge place with private pool, fabulous on paper (water was off for 12 hours on arrival, then no wifi for a week, intermittent electricity issues, hammered down with rain and gales for a week, was cold (last two not their fault), was remoter than we thought, the kids actually STILL bang on about it being the best holiday ever as the seven of us sat in the kitchen with candles and the gas burners on playing bloody charades and cards, and using our data in the day to watch unlimited films. You give them Disney, and they actually liked that better 🤷‍♀️😂!!!

Oh that is so sweet! I can see why that is lovely in a child's mind!

Yes I know what you mean, I booked this one 6 months ago and it seemed like the best one! I was hoping if just for 2 nights that we might get some good last minute deals. There is a lovely villa with a pool I have my eye on which is half price but I am pretty sure DH would still think I was mad to consider paying that!!

I just have this one week before I get back to my busiest time at work, and 10 months of rain probably so I am willing to throw lots of money to feel like we've had a dream holiday, even if just 2 days!!

I don't see the point in going away to stay in a lived in house similar to ours. At least in our house the grime is ours so I'd rather be there!

You’ve paid good money and the place isn’t clean. Ask the owner first but nicely tomorrow to send her cleaners in again.
I run an Airbnb and am currently staying in it so I can spot any missing things/do a deep clean/freshen the decoration. The Airbnb is much nicer than my own home and that’s how it should be - guests come for a break from reality and there’s no excuse for poor cleaning and unfulfilled amenities. Don’t put up with second rate service and please don’t give a 5* review, as the owner is clearly complacent and doesn’t understand the responsibility associated with providing holiday accommodation. Please also say in your review about the garden. In the private part of the review you can let the owner know why you have been disappointed with what was offered compared with what was advertised.

I wish you were my Airbnb owner! And thank you for not making me feel like I am difficult! I will definitely send a message tomorrow. She was keen to sort something else out today (the one thing I didn't think was that important) so hopefully she will be responsive.

Yes that is exactly it! I wanted a break from reality, not a "meh, slightly icky" place. Yes we will survive, but no it's not what we signed up for.

Yes I booked a very highly rated airbnb in Wales and it was very disappointing. Huge beam cut across the middle of the kitchen which I hit my head on constantly. Shower was either scorching or cold. Mismatched dinnerware, no tv reception and the dvds were from the 80s (fine it was my era). Plus dogs welcome but we were supposed to confine them to the kitchen - yea right. The one acre garden was long and thin rather than surrounding the cottage. And the worse bit was even though owner said ‘we don’t disturb you this is a home from home’ I think she rocked up five times while we were there! Once to take the bins out, and back to put them away (I told her I’d do it but she insisted). Then to collect the fire extinguishers as they needed annual testing, and of course to bring them back. And some other thing. Definitely realised I could never live in the country too - cows are bloody loud!

I agree with what PPs have said - tell the owner. And take pix! The sooner the better. I am about to go through Air B n B to get a partial refund on the issues I’m having (have already been to owner several times and she’s completely apathetic). I think in my case, it’s the last booking of the season and they don’t care!

I’d be annoyed about accessing the garden through the front door. Was that clear on the listing? The dirt, honestly I’d just give it a quick clean myself, it sounds like it would take about 10 minutes.

Is the owner local and do they do their own cleaning? A paid cleaner isn't likely to have the same standards as the owner because poor reviews don't affect them directly. We run an Airbnb and have very high standards. We won't let anyone else clean for us. If the owner isn't local and doesn't clean it or can't check it they might not know. We always welcome feedback.

…and all of the other things she has mentioned.

Say something or they cant correct