Ladies Retreat
Submitted: March 18, 2013
Stayed: March 2013
Yes, we did manage to have a very good time despite the cold weather which lingered most of the week.
While the house was very large, beautiful beach setting and decorated nicely to accommodate our group, we felt very strongly about some details lacking.
On at least a couple of occasions, I was told "everything is there", "just bring your clothes and food". I took that literally, and passed that on to the group.
In fact, upon arriving and beginning an inspection of the home, we found that there was not toilet paper, soap (in any bathroom), dish soap, 2 dishwashing cycles left on the counter, 1 paper towel on the stand. In most of the bathrooms, there was not even enough toilet paper to get through a day. In our past experiences, with rentals of or above Willow Beach's caliber, it has all been provided or at least a list given to us prior to arrival of things like this, we would need.
Secondly, the amount of mildew throughout the bathroom areas, was unacceptable. Being a Floridian, I understand the need for mildew control, due to our humid climate. You could smell it strongly in the 4th floor master shower upon walking into the bathroom, the jets on the 3rd floor tub are so black, no one would even consider a tub bath there.
Thirdly, the 4th floor (master shower) has absolutely no water pressure and on two occasions, we had serious hot water issues. The trundle bed had no top sheet, blanket and only a pillow (no cases to cover).
Two more pillows on 3rd floor had no pillow cases either. We found a total of 3 blankets in the entire house and none on the bedding in any room. One bathroom on the 3rd floor had no wash clothes and again, limited towels.
Little/Big details; like 1 oven mitten, two dish towels, no hand towels at all in the half bath in the family room, which is occupied/used the most. Master closet door off and in the closet on shelf. TV's that do not work, outdated electronics, poor cell phone service (a booster on your home would probably fix that- a $200 investment),
lacking linens and appropriate bathroom towels, etc. Rusted refrigerator and no water and ice service?
When a group of 10 or 12 women are renting your home for a week, I suggest you cover that with your cleaning help or property manager so the home is stocked appropriately with linens, towels, etc. The cleanliness of the home should go beyond surface swiping.
Recommended for:
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children
Owner's Response: This is the first time in 3 years that's there has been a problem or complaint regarding the toiletries or towels or sheets, or blankets. I don't doubt that my cleaner may have screwed up,
but all it would have took is a call to my property manager or me that could have fixed this within 30 minutes. I found all the blankets in various dressers etc. that just had not been put back correctly.
I have instructed my cleaner to leave 2 full rolls of toilet paper in every bath and the towel & washcloths have also been increased. And at your suggestion, I will include what I provide and a list of suggested items that my guests might stop and pick up before they get to the house.
The mildew in Florida is bad, the jets in all the tubs have been sanitized. I believe the problem there was that you arrived a few days after my 2 month guests had left and it doesn't take long for mildew to appear in a beach house. The water pressure on the 4th floor is good. However, with 14 ladies and a lot of hot water usage, it can be not the best. I often have up to 18 folks at the house and I have not heard that comment before.
The lack of bedding issues have been addressed and my cleaners totally understand that this cant happen. My cleaners are probably the best on the island. They are wonderful gals that really do a very good job.
I bought more oven mitts as those disappear from time to time & we have increased the kitchen towels that we leave for our guests.
The broken master bedroom closet door was broken with my last guests and not reported,. We did not have time to fix that before you all arrived.
The TV service on the island is not too great. The TVs do work, but once again a call to my property manager or to me would have had these on and working immediately.
The cell service is really beyond my control. I have a booster in the house and you can see how effective it is.
Yes, there is a bit of rust on the outside of the refrigerator, and the in - the- door ice device broke a couple weeks before you arrived & I was waiting on a part.
All of this Dee, could have been resolved with a call to me or Jim, our manager. Jim lives on the island, answers his phone day & night 24/7 and is a terrific guy. His number is on the desk, in your contract and you have my number.
I have changed some procedures since this email & review and Willow Beach will be the better for it.
I am heartbroken with a 2 out of 5 review when I could have fixed 90% of this with a phone call.
Helpful votes: 1/1
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