NOTE: Do not rent based solely on VRBO reviews. Have a look at Google reviews. Interesting how half of the reviews are 1 star reviews (google will not allow 0 star) and the other half are 5 stars. The vast majority of the 5 star reviews are made by "people" with only 1 review to their name (red flag). While the vast majority of 1 star reviews were made by people with many reviews to their name, basically real people. The GOOD: Receptionist upon arrival was very curtious. Even though we had to pick up the keys 6km from our apartment. Unfortunately, that's it for the good. The BAD: We arrive and the apartment is in really poor condition. On our first night, the flat became very hot. We noticed all of the heaters were on. Imposssible to turn it them off. I call the office to let them know about the heating as well as the flat’s poor condition. They’re not sure either how to fix the heating and ask me to send pics of anything broken. Someone contacts me later that same evening, who’s not exactly sure how to turn the heating off. He had me trying a few things, then finally asks me to go outside to turn the boiler down. I begin mentioning to him the other problems, like the missing guard rail, food hanging from the makeshift ceiling light, cockroaches, filthy terrace… He replies that they’re aware of all of this. Really!? He repeats the same thing, just send us pics and not to worry about the deposit - that they never have issues with families, it's more for younger grups. Whatever, we're tired and need sleep. The following morning we wake up to an oven again. I call the office. We are told someone will come fix in an hour. No one ever showed up that day. I call and leave a message. No one ever contacted us nor showed up to fix the heating issue. The heating continued our entire stay. Remember, it’s Barcelona in the middle of a July heatwave! The UGLY: Below are just a few other irritants with pics.
Each night arriving at the flat, turn on the lights and cockroaches are scurrying away.
Missing and broken stairs guardrail with duct tape padding.
Rusty and filthy shower-head. Dust filled ventilation cover.
Cupcakes hanging from ceiling.
Filthy terrace with bottle caps, food cigarette butts... Broken washing machine door handle. Chipped/rusted handles and heating pipes.
We never received our security deposit. They blamed the washing machine on us. Submitted a complaint with the authorities. MY SPACE BARCELONA ARE DISHONEST, DISORGANIZED THIEVES!
