8/10 Good
Elaine S.
23 Oct 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Solo Get Away!
3.5 STARS (rounded up). I was there for a month in September for a solo vacation to do some exploring in the area. The kitchen was equipped and the yard was wonderful. The lake is three houses down; not a beachfront property and no listed swimming pool; there is limited beach access down the road. Other than the kitchen and the outdoors amenities, the house is very sparse (e.g. no tv, consistent with the listing and fine for my stay). BE AWARE there is a train that passes fairly close to the property (including in the middle of the night) that is very loud (the horn is blared at the crossing just up the street).
The owner provided the hiding place for where the keys were located when I checked in. He explicitly mentioned to me that the front door would automatically lock me out if I used the bottom lock on the door. He did not mention (nor did the limited list of house items mention) that the back door would close and lock me out. The third/fourth night I went out to the backyard briefly with no shoes and no phone, the back door closed on its own and I was locked out. I was able to get in touch with various VERY FRIENDLY AND WONDERFUL NEIGHBORS, one of which contacted the owner and put me up for the night. I was very scared before the neighbors offered to let me stay with them; it is a very isolated area and I was alone with the nights getting colder. In the morning, the owner contacted a locksmith who let me in after I had paid the locksmith fee of $75. After my time at the property, the owner reimbursed me $50. While the reimbursement amount was fine, I believe (1) the host should be prepared for this AND other potential hazardous issues when he is not in the vicinity and (2) this hazard should be mentioned to people not familiar with the house. His neighbors were a bit surprised that none of them had a backup key when he was in FL.
I would also note that the host is unreserved via text. He asked if I would take photos for his renters insurance (and said if I did not I would have to leave) and when I would be checking out (I assume this information is available on the host's end).
TLDR: For what I paid, the place was nice, but could do with some additional information and organization upfront.
Elaine S.
Stayed 31 nights in Aug 2022
