Air bnb not as described- how much off?

[Imnotdrinkingmerlot]

We're currently at an air bnb in France. Advertised as with a hot tub, which is why we chose it (dc would be kept entertained, and useable even if weather not great). We paid quite a lot for the house (over 1k for 6 days).

House is nice, but the hot tub won't heat. Even left in the sun its max 26 degrees by late afternoon. The dc have been in it, but they've got cold and had to come out. I've had a quick dip but not got my shoulders under as it's too cold! The caretaker of the property came round but couldn't fix it. They said they'd call a professional but day 5 tmrw and no sign. They said to let it warm up in the sun.

Is it reasonable to ask for money off (is this doable with air bnb?)? And if so, how much? I'm just really annoyed that it was the main draw of the house and is in reality not much use. We're also next to a beach that is covered in sulphur smelly seaweed - not their fault obviously, but no warning about it.

Anyone?

Ime as in right now... Hosts of holiday accommodation care not one jot once they have your cash. Have made a complaint yesterday and been accused of lying! Hope you have better luck op!

Contact Airbnb, do what you can to document it. I don't think smelly seaweed is the host's fault.

Can you tip a load of kettlefuls of water in the tub?

Definitely contact Airbnb, but let host know directly if you haven't already

I hadn't thought of kettle fulls of water - might try that tmrw for last day. Its also really smelly water though, and can't be us as we've not been in it much! Has put me off. Its our first negative experience of air bnb but searching threads we've obviously been lucky so far.

I know the smelly beach isn't their fault but they've obviously not updated the photos to include the problem! Just so disappointed.

Is it the done thing to go to Air bnb with the problem, rather than ask direct for some money back? I'd hoped they would fix it but obviously not going to now...

Document and complain

We complained (different issues) for things that did directly impact our enjoyment but didn't stop us staying. Owner said no. Air b and b said yes, very quickly, and gave us 15 percent back.

How you value the disruption is difficult when you still stayed there. We asked for 30 percent. The refund air b and b offered was based on cleaning fee plus one nights stay - slightly random but no more random than my 30 percent.

The money was refunded super fast.

I wouldn't get in a smelly hot-tub. I know someone that got a skin infection from using a hot-tub when the water hadn't been properly treated and it was really unpleasant. The water chemistry in a hot-tub should be tested daily if it's in regular use and treated with chemicals as appropriate. It will be less of a risk if the water isn't heating to a decent temperature, but I still wouldn't get in it. Document the issue and your attempts to have it fixed locally and complain to Airbnb.

The advice I saw from Martin Lewis is to ask Airbnb to pause the hosts payment within 24 hours of check in or as soon as possible once the issue becomes clear, even if the host intends to fix it, as they may not.

Keep all of your messages with the host as evidence and inform Airbnb immediately

Thanks. Smell is mildewy rather than chemically, but very off putting. We have told the host who couldn't fix it and said they'd ask a professional, but nothing yet.

Slightly complicated by fact dc2 has just broken an ornament!

That hot tub will be a health hazard now.

Don't use the hot tub - if it smells bad, something is very off. All you should smell is a light scent of chlorine, if everything's ok.
(I have a hot tub myself - mine is due a water change and still doesn't smell as you describe.)

I would expect something off for hot tub. When I was I ab Aur bnb I broke a glass. The owner had asked us to let them know about any brakeages. She was fine and thanked never telling her. Breakages are to he expected.

See how much other houses in the area within hot tubs are rented for, you should be asking for the difference.

Definitely make airbnb aware, you are unlikely to get a penny otherwise.

It's incredibly difficult to keep everything working perfectly in any house let alone an Air B&B which different people are in all the time.
I run a let, sometimes things break, they can only be fixed when someone comes to fix them or I buy replacement which as I live very remotely is not so easy as running down to BBQ.
If I thought something really affected someones holiday I'd take money off. No chance am I updating my property photos with the seaweed levels for each week. Which makes me think you should get a grip and have fun without some bubbly chemically or potentially harmful water. Seaweed is great for you. Embrace it!

With regards to the beach, it's also up to guests to be honest in their reviews. They don't only ask you about the house, but about the surrounding area. I left a brutally honest review about the shithole beach town on the IoW that I stayed in. Definitely not 'sold' correctly in the Airbnb ad.

with any let, you need to inform the straight away. You have done that so, they need to reemburse the difference between a cottage with a tub and without one.

Thanks all. I'll ask for money off and see what they say.

The seaweed isn't normal. It's apparently caused by nitrates washing into the sea from farms, causing sulpherpus smelling algae. I googled as it looked so strange and off putting with scum on the water. I know they won't give money off for that but it is annoying and tempted to warn others in the review.

The seaweed has been really bad everywhere this year - it's because we've had such horrendous storms and it's washed much more ashore than normal.

It's not a localised issue