Beach Vacation & Fishing Condo on Canal w/Boat Dock- Newly Restored Pool!!

As a shared home owner, it's important for guests to have direct communication with the owner and it's always so disappointing to have guests that either choose not to communicate or not communicate fully during their stay. This guest did reach out to let me know the refrigerator was leaking inside when they arrived. It is correct that we were out of the country and seven hours ahead. Their message was sent while we were sleeping and I replied a few hours later when we woke up. I apologized for the delayed response and asked about the water. Her reply was, "No worries. It was leaking inside the fridge but it stopped shortly after we noticed. There are some small ants in the kitchen and in the master bedroom that we noticed just so you’re aware." I let her know I would pass the message onto our pest control company and there was no more communication to me beyond that. Pest control let us know they were sugar ants, which typically can't/won't bite. If condo supplies were not restocked by the cleaning staff, I was not notified by the guest and therefore not given the opportunity to rectify the situation. As I'm sure this guest would not request to stay in our place again, I would not host her again.

As an owner of a shared vacation home, direct feedback is always important to us so we can be made aware of things that need attention. Especially with a location that is used seasonally so frequently. This guest did not reach out to me regarding her concerns over the uncomfortable mattress for her 12 year old son, she did not let me know about the dusty AC vents, and she didn't notify me the half bath was out of hand soap. This was clearly an oversight by the cleaning staff because we always supply hand soap and hand towels at every sink. And, this could have been easily rectified as I could have directed her to the extra supply. However, the guest did notify me about the screw coming loose in the bathroom threshold and let me know her daughter cut her foot. She asked for a first aid kit and I directed her to where it's kept. Five hours later she responded to let me know it was not where it was supposed to be. I let her know sometimes items like that get moved into cabinets or drawers. Periodically, they even get taken. I did not hear back from her to be given the opportunity to help guide her to find it in the unit or possibly place an online order to have something delivered asap. My cleaning staff found it tucked away in a cabinet and it has been replaced. The day after her checkout, this guest contacted VRBO requesting a refund on her stay. We're happy to be able to share our home and the large majority are very appreciative that we do. Our ideal renters are ones that have reasonable expectations and communication for staying in a shared home. Just as I'm sure she would not rent our place again, I would not rent to her again.

Arnulfo texted before his trip to ask about my refund policy if he chose to cancel because of his concern of COVID. I told him I would refund in full at any time. He chose to travel & stay in our shared VRBO home. As I’m sure Arnulfo will not request to stay in our condo again, we WILL NOT host him again. We drove to the condo 1 week after his trip to review the overall cleanliness & address any issues. After inspection, many of Arnulfo’s complaints are not accurate & not completely honest as written in his review. Quickly… Sliding door: It was off the track & needed an adjustment Pool: True, closed Mondays for maintenance Tub: NOT stained & dirty. Built in 1975, original tubs, the finish is worn in places Food left: I found creamer, sugar, salt, pepper, seasoning, & cooking oil (commonly left by guests as a FAVOR) Dirty kitchen pan: NOT dirty. It was rusted (happens in the salt air) Blood & items left in drawers addressed below Arnulfo’s first text to me didn’t include ANYTHING about blood. For the concerns he did text about, I immediately asked if I could give him a call. We made arrangements for my cleaning staff to return ASAP (the next morning) & I OFFERED TO REFUND HIS CLEANING FEE IN FULL. The next morning Arnulfo texted a picture of blood on the pillow he slept on. The cleaning manager report: removed the unused condom & pumpkin seeds, removed wet paper found under the sink in the bathroom cabinet, & threw away the rusted kitchen pan. She said the blood on the pillow appeared to be fresh & changed the pillowcase. From the picture, I also thought it looked to be fresh blood. The stain was almost 3” & I wondered how it was missed the night before. Overall all, the condo was clean except the items left behind in the drawers. I speculate that Arnulfo was looking for a free condo! While some of his complaints were valid, I found most to be petty (not even all of them are listed). At 10pm that night, he texted asking for a larger refund. I issued his cleaning fee refund & week later he texted again about a larger refund. I told him it would not be issued & THEN he mentioned the blood on the pullout mattress. He said he did not use it & only opened the bed to make sure nothing was left behind. The condo sleeps 11 with the use of the pullout sofa. Arnulfo’s group was 11. Interesting. I removed that stain completely with make-up remover. I’m disappointed that a guest is able to make assumptions about what a stain is & report it as fact in their review.

So glad y'all enjoyed your stay!! Hopefully our listing didn't give you the impression that our place is "fancy." It's definitely a comfortable, fishing condo great for families!! You're welcome back anytime!