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New Dorp Beach, Staten Island House
My review is based on HomeAway's suggested outline of questions to be answered regarding property details:
•Was the listing description accurate regarding the location, layout, amenities, etc?
The listing description regarding layout and space in the house was accurate. Not all amenities listed were on hand or available. The deck was not able to be used because of a constant swarm of yellow jacket wasps that apparently nest in the ground beneath the deck.
•Was the property clean, was it well-maintained, etc?
Unfortunately, it was not clean or well-maintained. Having said that, it does have great potential if given proper attention.
•Did the owner provide good customer service?
To a very limited extent. Most concerns remain unaddressed.
•Would you recommend this property to a friend or relative?
Not in its current condition. If it were fixed up, if needed repairs and/or finishing work were done, and if it were given a thorough cleaning, definitely.
•What activities, attractions and restaurants did you like or dislike?
Gennaro's Pizzeria on New Dorp Lane is great. There's a White Castle close by on Hylan Boulevard, as well as a large grocery store (Shop-Rite), a K-Mart, and Home Goods. There is a Hess gas station nearby at the corner of New Dorp Lane and Hylan Boulevard.
The available space in the house is great for family reunions, and the availability of three bathrooms is very convenient. My dissatisfaction is with the lack of upkeep or cleanliness at the property. I wish there had been more details posted regarding these issues in prior reviews so that I could have addressed them with the owner PRIOR to renting the property.
Owner's Response: This is very unfair. This guest stayed on two separate occasions, with a week's break in between. The first stay went very well, we met the family when they arrived and they said they were very satisfied with the house.
Prior to her second arrival with a large group, the guest asked if she could arrive in the morning rather than the usual afternoon check-in time. As we were on a "friendly" basis by then, we said OK if she/they wanted to clean themselves. The place looked reasonably clean to the naked eye after the guests who had been there in between, though admittedly we didn't "dig deep."
This guest readily agreed to the arrangement, then some days afterward she complained that the house was dirty when she arrived. In future we will simply observe the check-in rules and not make special accommodation for anyone, as it tends to create trouble.
As far as the nest under the deck, she mentioned it a few days before she left (total two week stay), and no other guests have complained about not being able to use our beautiful deck. It's a moot point now anyway with the colder weather, but we will definitely keep an eye out during the spring.
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