Drive through the gate into a beautifully landscaped circular drive. Lots to enjoy: views, large hot tub, good linens, good amount of cookware, comfortable furniture, deck atop the house for sunset cocktail hours. The final half mile trek to this location on an arroyo-filled dirt road isn’t bad, but did become tedious around day 14 of our stay.
Cleanliness is most important in rentals. Spoke to owner in advance, she promised clean house. We arrived early and the cleaning person was still there (with her children watching TV and husband caring for an infant). To test cleanliness of the floors I wetted a paper towel and wiped a few places noting it turned black. I asked her to please mop the floors before leaving. She agreed. Said we’d return at 4pm. The floors were not mopped. Grit, dust and debris of all kinds. The owner sent cleaning person back the next day for a proper job on the tile floors. With first use of vacuum I emptied the cannister before starting and noted it had not been properly attached, thus it had no suction power. While there were paper bits inside, no dirt. Hmmm. Attached correctly, vacuumed and cannister was half full of dirt, dust and hair. Clearly the carpets had not been properly vacuumed in a long time. The fridge was full of condiments and frozen dinners left behind by prior renters. Shelves were dirty with stuck on food.
The house is built around an courtyard. Could be a lovely space but not very inviting with its small table, 5 potted plants, 3 of which are dead and weeds growing through the pavers.
Thermostat wouldn’t come on. Owner determined it was a blown circuit breaker. Blew again later during our stay. Gate blew a breaker, had to park outside and carry groceries 50 yards to the house. Hot tub leak took 4 days to repair. The powder room TP holder fell off wall because it hadn’t been properly installed. The front door is split down the middle letting wind blow in. There'd been a leak and drywall above a patio door was pulled apart and left unrepaired. The walls have not been painted in some time, but many areas have been "touched up" with a slightly different color resulting in a hodge-podge appearance. The carpets have many stains and the hall runner is threadbare and shredding at the corners.
TV screen size is ample, BUT no local AZ channels – it is linked to Seattle – so you get local news, traffic and weather information for Seattle. Not useful. Also, very few channels.
Just too many things wrong here.