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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To expect an airbnb to provide a drying rack

77 replies

inmyfeelings · 25/07/2019 13:20

Staying in France at an Airbnb apartment booked pretty much last minute . It's beautifully decorated and also cost considerably more than similar properties but we didn't have much choice as it was a late booking . However there are a few issues .
Firstly there no facilities to actually dry clothing . There's a washing machine but no drying rack for clothing . I thought this was standard but prepared to be told I'm being U. I contacted the owners to ask if there was one someone in the flat ( in case there was in a cupboard or room that I had missed ) but they haven't replied to my message. It's a bit inconvenient as we're at the beach mostly and have lots of towels to dry as well as laundry for 3 children and 2 adults .
Was also a bit surprised there was no electric kettle and the small pan provided isn't compatible with the induction hob so need to use a massive cooking pan to boil water for tea for one person . Surely a small pot should also be provided ? I asked the owner about this too but she doesn't reply .
Thirdly it's advertised as parking 'on premises ' but the Car park is about 750m away? Can be tricky when toddler has fallen asleep or lugging bags late at night etc . Is this misleading ?
I've stayed in bnb apartments all over Europe and find the owners tend to get back to you over queries but maybe I've been spoiled so far . Also assumed on premises means actually on site not the local car park . Thoughts ?

OP posts:

Doidontimmm · 25/07/2019 14:22

Then you can’t expect a kettle or drying rack! I’d query the parking though!

Doidontimmm · 25/07/2019 14:23

And if I was the host I’d bring you a drying rack (if I lived nearby!)

Samcro · 25/07/2019 14:24

why do people in france not have Kettles?

woodhill · 25/07/2019 14:24

But if there is a washing machine and no dryer where are you meant to dry the washing. How irritating for you OP.

Could you rig up a line over one of the baths?

I tend to bring pegs and string on holiday

IDontDrinkTea · 25/07/2019 14:26

why do people in france not have Kettles?

A lot of Europe don’t. They don’t drink as much tea as us brits and so don’t really need one

sneakypinky · 25/07/2019 14:36

French apartments never have kettles. Neither do Italian ones.

We take a travel kettle to Italy now if we can be arsed.

lyralalala · 25/07/2019 14:36

The owners clearly don't realise there is an issue with the smaller pan otherwise it wouldn't be there.

The parking and aircon are worthy complaints though.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 25/07/2019 14:55

I think I would raise the lack of drying space and water pot in a polite message. They might have been overlooked. If I was a host I might amazon one to you.

Check whether the aircon description is misleading. I might complain about that and the parking later. Those can’t be fixed now.

Original poster

inmyfeelings · 25/07/2019 15:00

I did send a short message asking for any suggestions re drying wet towels and clothing and also to let them know the pot provided didn't work on the hob but they haven't replied . I think perhaps am being U to expect a drying rack now , just have been lucky to have one everywhere else I've stayed even when it's not been specified .
Description states 'air conditioning ' but doesn't specify fully or partially .
The other gripe I forgot to mention was that after I booked and paid they emailed saying they apartment won't be ready till 6 pm although check in is advertised at 3 , but luckily we were delayed at the airport.

OP posts:

Ghostontoast · 25/07/2019 15:03

It’s 42 deg C + in France at the moment there must be some way of drying towels!!

Cheeserton · 25/07/2019 15:04

The parking is clearly not OK and you should complain. The rest - meh...

Original poster

inmyfeelings · 25/07/2019 15:13

30 where we are , you'd think it would be easy but in an enclosed, balcony free apartment with suede furnishings and no hooks or rails it's not been as simple as you'd have thought !

OP posts:

IncandescentShadow · 25/07/2019 15:37

None of that would bother me, but tbh I'd be outside enjoying my holiday, not posting all day on mumsnet about minor irritations with the apartment!

stayathomegardener · 25/07/2019 15:40

I run a UK Airbnb.
Totally complain, firstly about the parking which is misrepresentation and also about the lack of response to your messages.

Airbnb expect hosts to respond to messages within the hour and will downgrade hosts for not doing so.

It's like Love Island here with Airbnb messages TEXT!!

I also think as they provide a washing machine they should provide an airer. I fear for those suede chairs long term.

Pan situation I imagine a previous guest has broken one and the replacement is not compatible with the hob; they probably don't even realise. Annoying for you.

BouncyTigger85 · 25/07/2019 15:54

The options Air bob give you to tick for things like Air-con is either yes or no. There's no option for partial/full, personally if my property wasn't full air-con I would probably mention it in the description, but clearly not everyone does, and if no-one else has mentioned they're disappointed about that fact, maybe they've never thought to.

Same with drying rack, there's an option for dryer, but not drying rack, and while my property has both, I don't think to list drying rack in the description I type up and probably wouldn't even if I just had the rack and washing machine.

Doidontimmm · 25/07/2019 16:01

@stayathomegardener that’s not true about the hour or rather I cannot find that in the t&cs! If I’m at work I certainly can’t be checking my phone to respond to guests!!

Nextphonewontbesamsung · 25/07/2019 16:07

Yanbu. Of course it's annoying to have a washing machine but no way to get laundry dry. Not petty at all.

One small pan (that doesn't work on the induction hob) and one large pan is also inadequate for a pricey Air BnB.

And the carpark ... that's awful!

user1471523870 · 25/07/2019 16:07

I only commenting on the kettle. I am not British. Kettles are not common in Europe as we don't drink that much tea.
We I am from we use pans to boil water for pasta/rice, or a coffee stove for coffee. Tea is not something people really drink and who does it uses a small pan.

BouncyTigger85 · 25/07/2019 16:09

@Doidontimmm I think it's only the first message from a guest that you get marked down for replying slowly, and that's a 24 hr window (and I think they notify you twice to remind you during that time with x many hours left).

Doidontimmm · 25/07/2019 16:15

@BouncyTigger85 yes that’s right, but there is no timescale on subsequent messages. That’s crazy to expect. Saying that if a guest ever does message me I’d get back as soon as I got the text!

DippyAvocado · 25/07/2019 16:17

If there's a washing machine it's totally reasonable to expect drying facility to be provided. I don't think you can assume there'll be a kettle but you should mention the pot issue in case it's something that just hasn't occurred to them.

Part of the trouble with air BnB is that there is no standardisation or anyone checking the properties so all you can do is give feedback.

The vast range of barely-used crockery is typical of French rentals though. We regularly stay in a gite that has three different types of flan dish but only a mini-oven to cook in!

BouncyTigger85 · 25/07/2019 16:21

No I didn't think so, It would be a bit silly to expect a 1hr reply to every message, especially as sometimes they don't really warrant a response (Eg, you message saying thank you for staying, they message back you're welcome, what are you supposed to say to that if YOU have to be the one to have the last word, so to speak?!)

Weightquery · 25/07/2019 16:24

Not read the thread

Was nothing mentioned in reviews?

Reallybadidea · 25/07/2019 16:24

Ya most definitely NBU about the lack of drying rack. What is the point of a washing machine if there's no way to get things dry? I'd be really cross about the misrepresentation of parking - that's a really long way to walk to and from your car. And air con only being in one room should be clearly stated IMO.

I'm not sure why other posters are commenting on the late booking - it's totally irrelevant, especially as you're complaining about things that aren't as described.

CatsForLife · 25/07/2019 16:29

OP - all the things you mentioned would annoy me too. Maybe we are fussy But, like you, I’ve stayed all over the world in self-catering and if I’ve paid a lot of money, I’d expect to be able to do the basics like dry washing. The kettle - I wouldn’t expect one in Europe or the US but a small pan I would. Can you buy a travel one over there? Probably worth it. Air con - yes not on. Needs to be clear where it is and that it’s not i. all rooms. And the parking - with kids that’s a nightmare. What are previous reviews like?

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