christy batts

Review of Coral Reef Apartments

This place is not a private condo. It is operated ...

This place is not a private condo. It is operated like a poorly kept hotel. They're are several things to say. First and foremost, we booked 4 months in advance and paid in full several weeks before arrival. There night before we arrived, and as we are traveling there, we get an email saying they have over booked and are "moving our reservation" to another place on a totally different island. When I booked several months ago, under the impression that I was dealing with an individual as Airbnb is supposed to be for, I explained that several different households of our family were meeting in Key Biscayne for a particular reason. I tried to call the night I got that alarming message, no answer. I emailed back and called first thing in the morning, again no answer. Not until mid day did I get Mikel on the phone (no mention of Anton, who supposedly owns the place). He listened and told me he would talk to his colleagues and call me back. No call back. We keep driving and arrived ready to beg and plead our case. My daughter speaks Russian and the "host" Anton supposedly does too. When we get to Coral Reef, we go to the reception to check in and they never mention anything about the confusion of moving our reservation! I ask if Anton and Mikel are there and they act confused, and when I explain that I had spoken to Mikel on the phone, the manager just says "oh.". Anyway, after a sleep less night, we get they and are allowed to stay, yeah!!! But there is a myriad of other things that happen, it rather, don't happen. Each unit was supposed to sleep six. We rented two to accommodate 10 people. One until only sleeps 4 and they other does have a futon couch that could arguably sleep extra, pulling the number up to 6, but if we had been sleeping adults there, not even one could have fit. My two young sons could sleep on the short couch, but I would have been in a bind if we had had adults expecting to sleep there or the 12 max that the listing advertised. Also, had asked specifically about the kitchen and if it was fully stocked, told it was. Very minimally was it in reality. No trashbags, no dish soap, no mixing bowls, no baking dishes, no dish towels or paper towels, etc. Also was told at check in that housekeeping came Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They came on Monday and only took out the trash. We had to beg for more towels and was told there where none. Went to the office to tell then housekeeping had not come and they said they would send them the next day. No one came. Thankfully we had brought our own beach towels, but bath towels are basic necessities, not to mention there were no hand towels or washclothes. The floor was hideously dirty and our feet turned black just from walking across a room once. We asked for a broom and mop and only got a broom with no dust plan. This place is poorly kept and untruthfully advertised. It seems like a business flying under the radar, not a private condo. This experience has left a bad taste in my mouth as it is obviously someone taking advantage of Airbnb service. We use Airbnb often and this has never happened to us before. If we wanted a poorly kept hotel, we know how to drive to a Red Roof Inn.