Lynn S

Terrible treatment from hosts at stayincapetown/netproperty.

<div>My recent work conference trip to Cape Town was marred by a deeply disappointing and frustrating experience with the accommodation I chose near the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). In this narrative, I will outline the series of unfortunate events that transpired during my stay, from check-in to check-out, highlighting issues related to security deposits, communication problems, a lack of coordination among hosts and co-hosts, and facility discrepancies. Check-In My check-in experience set the tone for the entire stay. To my bewilderment, I was greeted by a building cleaner who seemed entirely unfami**** with the apartment and its amenities. Adding to my unease, the cleaner informed me that I needed to pay a substantial R2000 security deposit upon arrival. This was not only unexpected but also alarming, as such a requirement contradicted the norms I had encountered on Airbnb previously. To make matters worse, the check-in form contained a clause that stated the host could enter the apartment without my permission at any time, which raised serious privacy concerns. In an attempt to clarify the security deposit issue, I requested that the cleaner contact the host. After repeated cals, the host finally answered the call, citing that he was in an elevator. This delay was frustrating, to say the least, and when he eventually confirmed that I did not need to pay the R2000 deposit, the cleaner remarked that many guests had faced similar problems with this requirement. Such comments from the cleaner did not instill confidence in the property or its management. Furthermore, when I inquired about directions to the Convention Centre, the cleaner was unable to provide any assistance. This lack of basic knowledge about the area further added to my disappointment. Check-Out The issues persisted during the check-out process. The evening before my departure, I reached out to the host to inquire if I could possibly store my bags somewhere and retrieve them after my 1 pm conference. I had intended to check out at 8am to attend my conference. Regrettably, I received no response, leaving me uncertain about the feasibility of this arrangement. On the morning of my departure, at 8 am, I made repeated attempts to contact both the host and co-host, but my messages and calls were ignored. It wasn't until 9 am, when I asked about returning the apartment key, that the host finally rep****. He instructed me to leave the key inside the apartment and vaguely mentioned that he would check if his office was open for bag storage. However, he never followed up on this, leaving me with no assurance that my bags could be securely stored. At 9:40 am, another co-host responded to my query regarding my bags, indicating that the check-out time was at 11 am at the latest. By that time, I had already left at 9 am and made alternate arrangements for my bags elsewhere. This lack of consistency and timely communication was frustrating and disrupted my plans. Moreover, I accidentally left an item in the apartment and requested access at 10 am. The host's response was evasive and unhelpful. He claimed that the phone line was distorted and abruptly ended the call. Subsequently, he asked me to wait for one of his staff to assist, inquiring about how long I could wait, despite knowing that I was still attending a conference. I pointed out that the building's security could easily grant me access if he simply provided them with the necessary instructions. I lost valuable time from my conference on both the Friday and Sunday. Lack of Coordination Throughout my stay, it was abundantly clear that the host and co-hosts lacked coordination and communication with each other. This led to inconsistent responses and, at times, no response at all to my inquiries and concerns. Such a lack of teamwork and organization significantly contributed to my overall frustration. Facility Issues The discrepancies between the listing photos and the actual condition of the apartment were undeniable. Notably, the listing showed a TV in the bedroom that was conspicuously absent, and the dishwasher was out of order, with the tablet holder broken. These inaccuracies in the listing further eroded my confidence in the property and its management. In conclusion, while the location of the accommodation near the Convention Centre and the Waterfront was convenient, my overall experience was marred by a series of issues, including an unprofessional check-in process, poor communication and coordination among hosts and co-hosts, and discrepancies between the listing and the actual facilities. Given these shortcomings, I find it unacceptable, and I will not be supporting or recommending this accommodation or any of their listings in the future.</div>