We’re sorry this guest did not entirely enjoy their stay here. Our home has a 100 percent 5-star rating elsewhere, and was booked every day this summer. But while this review is overall positive, and there are some fair criticisms, we must address the exaggerations:
• Yes, a fitting in the laundry room cracked and leaked some water. The guests threw towels on the puddle, tried to mop up some of it, and called me. Fortunately I was close by and within five minutes I shut off the water to the house. Before they left for the day, I apologized profusely for any inconvenience, and I thanked them for calling and helping. After they left I vacuumed up the water, washed the towels, and replaced the fitting within an hour. They did not respond to further text messages asking if everything was good. They said nothing to us until this review was posted, and certainly did not ask for ‘compensation’ for the leak.
• There is a fence around the service area that contains the water and propane tanks and the pool filter equipment. It is not electrified. There is an old device the previous owner placed on the fence. It is not connected or operational. No other guest has complained about it. However, I have now removed it to allay any future concerns.
• The fence around the pool is required by state law for child safety, and it is shown in two photographs on the listing. No other guest has complained about it. It is mostly transparent. It does not impact the magnificent views guests enjoy from the house and the decks.
• The actual circular driveway of the house is in good condition. The “driveway” mentioned is a mountain road not owned by this house that also goes to other properties. Yes it suffered ruts last winter, and we actually put in new gravel at the end of the season… only to have the year’s heaviest rain wash most of it away. We will improve it again. However, we must say that this is the first time a guest has mentioned it, as others have accepted that yes, it is a mountain road.
• The cardboard box and wheelbarrow were used for weeding prior to the guest’s arrival. They were around the side of the fenced-in service area. Admittedly, they should have been inside that fence, but they were not visible from the house.
• I weedwack the paths around the pool and deck area several times a month as needed, and I clean the entire area with a leaf blower prior to every guest arrival. While there may have been a few stray bits of weeds, I guarantee it was not “covered.”
• There were burnt-out light bulbs in the string lights. I have replaced them.
Again, we’re sorry this guest found cause for complaint. We want to emphasize that we do care very much about our guests’ experience here, and so we provide a wonderful home and environment, and work hard to clean the house spotlessly each time — and as a result, we get widespread accolades from our customers. Our last guests, for example, had a perfect weekend — ten women enjoyed a bridal shower and had no complaints about the road, soap, lights, fence, or anything else, and posted nothing but praise.
— Paul, co-host