4/10
I took a risk renting a place with no ratings, but the pictures of the hot tub and sauna and the accommodations drew me in. I was hoping to have a mini spa-like experience with my girls up in the woods of NY state. It didn't turn out like that.
The host told me the hot tub and sauna was available for use. I asked a couple of times prior to arrival how to use them. My questions weren't answered. I hoped to find written instructions or a booklet after arrival. There were none. We discovered:
· The hot tub was warm, but the jets couldn't be turned on.
· The sauna didn't work at all!
I emailed the host twice and left a voice mail message about the issue but didn't get a response until late the next day (22hrs). His says he was overseas (never advised me prior – other host gave me a heads up and were still accessible even if they were out of town). I was promised a PDF of the instruction manual that never came. In the end, I got no clear instruction and never got full usage of the amenities we drove 3 hours up to use.
Besides lacking in communication, we had discovered other issues:
1. The TV in one bedroom wasn't hooked up and didn’t have a remote (told host but no response).
2. The edges of the carpet in one bedroom were curled up thus becoming a tripping hazard (we had to pull it back under the bed for safety)
3. The kitchen has no curtains, lacking privacy and being on full display to the neighbors who lived close by on all sides.
4. You're under surveillance - the backyard had 2 Ring cameras facing hot tub and pergola areas that was not mentioned on the listing.
5. None of the windows have screens, which will allow any bug to fly in during the warmer months.
6. I was told my check-out time was an hour earlier that mentioned on the listing (good thing I save my emails). After pointing this out, the host did change it back to 11am.
7. The place could use some extra towels, a few throw blankets, a tea kettle and a pair of scissors.
Loch Sheldrake is pretty rundown town – abandoned houses, neighbors’ homes right on top of you, only a few businesses open (gas station and liquor store). But the neighborhood was very quiet, the regular accommodations of the house were nice and relatively clean. Feeling ignored and not taken care of left a bad taste in my mouth about this listing. We could have stayed home and went to Spa Castle for less. Hope the host makes some improvements.
Tracy H.
2 nachten verbleven in april 2022