The cottage was very airy with a nice open common area. The deck was spacious and we enjoyed spending time on it. Unfortunately there were a number of things that, in our opinion, need to be addressed to bring this property up to its 5 star potential.
1. Communication issues: The owner did not use the VRBO app to provide any access or check in/out info. She did phone our home land line and left messages for us while we were on our way there saying she wasn't sure if we had been in contact about these procedures. Thinking that the app would suffice for conveying all necessary info, I provided our landline number to VRBO due to the fact that where we live we get sporadic wireless service. As we approached the cottage address and noticed no information, we also realized that we were losing cell coverage so we backtracked to a location with a cell signal and called her number only to hear that her voicemailbox was full. We attempted to contact her by text with no results so we decided to drive out to the cottage and see if perhaps there was some sort of message for us there. When we arrived, we found (after knocking several times) that the door was unlocked (along with a downstairs door) and the key was on a counter. The owner eventually called us and told us that we took the proper actions (we got cell service through her unsecured wi-fi network) The only checkout instruction we had was a note on the refrigerator saying be out by 11 am.
2.. Clutter: Closets were mostly filled with stuff, making it very difficult to find much space to hang our garments.
The cabinets throughout were packed with stuff. In the bathroom it appeared that ever former visitor had left at least one over the counter medicine or other product so they were packed with partially used items.
Luckily the bathroom counter had plenty of space to leave our toiletries on them without hindering our use of the sinks too much.
The other cabinets looked like they never threw anything out.
3. Cleanliness: Could have used a thorough cleaning, fur was on the floor of the main living area. Some hair in the tub was left for us also. Cobwebs were also plentiful
4. Details: Only 1 adult life preserver among other things. (She did say she would reimburse us if we located and purchased another). Many worn, rusty or broken things.
Bottom line: Lots of potential, I don't think as it sits now was worth the price we paid. With some effort it would be outstanding.
