I speak fluent sarcasm and negative talk. But I don't like to trash talk, so I'm hesitant to give an honest review of the VRBO we just stayed the weekend at in Abbotsford.
The space is a lovely newish 2-bedroom walkout basement suite. It's bright with high ceilings and large windows. It was perfect for me to work on painting my Christmas cards during our down time while we were in town to tend to some family health issues.
We arrived after dark in the rain so it was a bit tricky making our way down to the door at the back, but certainly not a problem.
Flicking on the lights, we were impressed at first sight.
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| The Paris room was fun |
The first bedroom was decorated in a fun Paris theme. But we opted for the second bedroom because it has two night tables, which becomes increasingly important as we age and need spaces for hearing aid chargers, CPAP machines, phones, watches, water ....
We were pleased to find a corkscrew in the kitchen drawer. But alas no wine glasses in the cupboards. While this is not a deal breaker for returning as repeat guests, it is always a treat to find them. On occasion we've purchased wine glasses and left them in VRBOs for others to enjoy. And we certainly aren't above drinking our wine from a mug if necessary.
When it came time to crawl into bed we looked in the closet for extra pillows as there were only two small pillows on the bed. And we need extra pillows - we are morning lollygaggers who enjoy our first coffee sitting in bed.
There were plenty of yellowed well-slept-on pillows in the closet. But nary a one had a pillowcase. I was a little hesitant to lay my head on a pillow that a random stranger had also laid their head on without a thin little layer of cotton providing a barrier.
A search through all the closets did not turn up pillowcases anywhere except on the one pillow in the closet of the other bedroom. "Score!" I thought, until I pulled it down and realized it had spots of blood on it. I swallowed the bit of puke that welled up in my mouth and tossed the pillow on the floor - blood side up so the cleaner would be sure to see it.
Climbing into bed, resolved to a one-pillow night, we realized there was only a bottom sheet and a comforter on the bed. The comforter looked clean so I convinced myself they wash it after every use. But had to wonder why? Why? I know the generations younger than I often have no use for a top sheet. And that's all fine and dandy if you are sleeping in your own sweat and body fluids. But in a bed shared by strangers? Wouldn't it be better just to have a sheet barrier that you could wash?
The bed itself is probably an Ikea foam mattress and may have been the firmest mattress I have ever slept on that wasn't the actual floor. But it was surprisingly comfy. So no complaints there.
We had seen in the photos on the website that the coffee pot was a drip pot so we had purchased a bag of Timmy's coffee while on the road. Turns out there was a can of Timmy's in the cupboard. We prefer our VRBOs to have Keurig style coffee pots, but consider that a non-issue.
The reason we generally opt for VRBO over hotels is that we like to make our own breakfast, and bring eggs and all the things with us.
In the morning I put the nonstick frying pan on to heat up for our omelette. The pan was so warped it spun like a top on the stove, with about a one inch point actually touching the burner. I realized this wasn't going to work and swapped out the pan for the other one in the cupboard. It wasn't nonstick. But it felt nice and heavy and flat-bottomed.
I hadn't brought Pam or cooking oil. And the scant cupboards didn't contain such neither. I know it's not a requirement, but it's things like cooking oil, pan spray, ziplock bags and plastic wrap, salt and pepper and wine glasses that make me keen to promote and recommend a VRBO. And pillowcases. Definitely pillowcases. I actually think pillowcases ARE required.
Anyway, we enjoyed our omelette and left the pan to soak the stuck on egg while we enjoyed the shower. It was seriously a fantastic shower. A rain head (which we are used to at home) that has incredible water pressure. I have to say, everything about the bathroom, with the exception of the long black hair on the floor, was wonderful. The tub was sparkling clean and the towels were marvellous.
But back to the omelette pan. It took Jim longer to scrub the pan with the useless sponge scrubber than it took me to scrub my body, wash and dry my hair and put on make-up.
Our first stop had us purchasing pot scrubbers and paper towels - there was a paper towel holder on the counter, but alas no paper towel on it. And we are first world people who have spent most of our adult lives trying to keep a pulp mill operational. We use a LOT of paper towels.
The second day I opted to stay in the suite and work on my hand painted Christmas cards that I feel I am significantly behind in creating this year, while Jim attended our two grandson's hockey practice which, conveniently, was just a short distance from our VRBO.
While painting I decided to heat and enjoy the 2-day-old cinnamon bun we had purchased at Horstings Farm on the way down. But alas, the microwave did not work. I tried plugging it into the other outlet that worked for the toaster to no avail. But even cold a 2-day-old cinnamon bun from Horstings is a pretty sweet treat.
This extended time in the suite during the day allowed me to really look around and become aware of the dust that coated everything. Now, to be fair, there was sound and physical evidence to indicate maybe there were some renovations going on in other parts of the home. Perhaps another short-term rental suite? who knows.
But there was enough dust on the coffee and tv tables that I could, and did, write my name in the dust. Ok, maybe not my name. But I did draw smiley faces. Was this dust understandable and forgivable? Absolutely.
Were the dust webs, spiders and such hanging from the ceiling and corners of the walls? Maybe not so much.
I have no idea if the owner does their own cleaning or if someone else comes in. But either way someone is dropping the ball here.
Normally, if there are laundry facilities in the suite, we throw the bedding and towels in before we leave. There were no machines in this suite, so we stripped the bed and threw the comforter and single sheet in a pile with the wet towels on the floor to ensure there was no option but to wash them all.
I kinda wished I hadn't stripped the bed and knew what we just slept on....
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| No. Just no. |
We generally leave a 'healthy' tip for the cleaners.
This time, while we didn't refuse to leave a cash blessing on the table, it was a significantly less healthy tip than we would normally leave after a three night stay.
And it's too bad. Cuz this place actually has potential to be a fantastic stay.
But my recommendation is that they take the $500 we just gave them to buy some sheets and pillowcases, a decent frying pan, a box of ziplock bags, some Gladwrap and a duster. And maybe a can of Pam or bottle of olive oil. Because these items would ensure repeat customers and further recommendations.
But as it is, it's the end of the road for us.
