Good afternoon Alejandro -
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and detail your experience at my property: Villa Eau Claire. While my instinct is to help explain some of the circumstances behind the events you encountered, ultimately, I know it does not matter. What matters is you, my guest, had a less than optimum experience at my property, and as the owner, I take full responsibility and I try to understand your concerns stated in your review. Although I do not agree with a majority of your negativity, I will try to respond rationally, and attempt to defend to each of your concerns specifically.
Your first inquiry to me through VRBO was on April 6, 2022. You stated: “We have come to your property many times before you remodeled. We love your home.” You further made a reservation request on that same day. Your reservation request was accepted the following day on April 7, 2022 and at that time a rental agreement, our house rules, and a taxi service list was provided to you through the VRBO platform. Below is my response to each of the concerns noted in your review.
Construction Of My Home: My property is constructed from 8 inches of poured concrete including the floors and ceilings. I have spent much time in the space that you visited and never heard any sounds from above. I have also never received a comment or complaint from any other guest regarding noise. You mention stomping, flushing, sneezing, yelling arguments? It is impossible.
No Wi-Fi or Internet: Unfortunately, during your stay of 10/22/22 – 11/05/22, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico were engulfed by a large low pressure system which included heavy rain and thick cloud cover that eventually developed into Hurricane Nicole that hit the east coast of Florida. Weather systems such as the one you experienced will disrupt our power grid (Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority) to include electrical service issues, cell service, satellite tv networks, and internet providers. This weather issue or “ your concern” is out of my immediate control. I am not able to control nature.
Mosquitoes: As stated above, we had heavy rains during your stay which unfortunately breeds mosquitoes. Again, I am not able to control nature.
Check In And Check Out Times: You received our rental agreement and house rules on April 7, 2022 which clearly states our check in/check out times. On your check out day, you made a request to check out later in the day to me via text message. Unfortunately, I was not able to grant your request as we had another guest arriving the same day and your space needed to be cleaned. Otherwise, it would have been my pleasure to have you relax and stay longer before your flight off island. You also stated in your review: “ you will need to carry your own bags down and up for your check out”???????
Multiple Stairs: The property has stairs. The stairs are in the property description on all website platforms in addition to the rental agreement you received on April 7, 2022. I trust you read the description of the property, the rental agreement, and the house rules that were provided to you on April 7, 2022.
Owner Hired Contractors: The contractor you mentioned in your review was actually a landscaper. His name is Franklin. Franklin was on the property for one hour during your two week stay. He makes the property look beautiful for all of our guests. Thank you Franklin. There were no other contractors on our property during your stay.
Hefty Cleaning Fee: All fees are fully disclosed on the rental agreement, house rules, and all website platforms. You agreed to all fees. However, you also left a tremendous amount of garbage behind which is a violation of our rental agreement, for which you were not charged.
Hot Water Issue: Again, per the rental agreement and house rules, we advise all of our guests to ration water. We live on an island. Our source of water is collected from rain and held in cisterns. We have no well or public water supply. In the house rules it specifically states this fact and reads as follows: “Water Usage Our water comes from rain in its purest form and collected in a cistern under the house. There are no wells or public water supply. Everyone must please ration water (short showers please). It is a big deal when the water runs out!!! If you hear water running, please find the source and shut it down. It may be a toilet or a faucet running.”
Mini Refrigerator: You stated in your original comment through the VRBO platform that you have stayed at my property many times in the past before our renovations were completed. You also made a rational decision to make a reservation at my property after reading all of our past reviews, your personal past experiences at the property, and the current photos of the property which shows a mini refrigerator in the photos. ??????????
Window Curtains: I will have the curtain issues addressed. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Alejandro, I am not sure of your age, your travel experience of 28 years, nor your 2.4M “followers” (not sure why you mention this), but I am sure that you did not approach me or Julia, our house manager, about any concerns during your two week stay at our home. The only time that you ever approached me during your stay was a request to borrow a hat.
Rick O’Bymachow
Villa Eau Claire
St. Thomas, VI