We have been lucky, very very lucky. I know this. We did have a few mildly uncomfortable experiences- the Italians were my fault for not establishing firm boundaries at the beginning but they arrived at 11:45 at night due to a delayed flight & were starving. I advised all subsequent guests who experienced delays to find somewhere to eat before they got to our place.
Now, I have been trying to figure out what would be fair to both our community and the family of the Truly Terrible grandma. These guests were verified but unreviewed- the picture was of a baby seal (did flag that to airbnb) they listed 3 adults & one infant. I sent my usual detailed greeting and directions to our driveway; we are in the Berkeley hills on a corner lot & the driveway is actually on a different street than our mailbox and stairs, many stairs, up thru the garden, weeks went by without a response. 2 days before their arrival I sent another message asking whether they needed the smaller or larger portable crib. I also asked again about an arrival time; I have resorted to offering chocolates to those who give me an estimated arrival time, subject to updates. When the family arrived the infant turned out to be a 9 year old child. I rent out the suite as a unit with a set price and maximum number of guests- there's no extra per person charge. So, what ever- this could be a translation error.
The father asked about the closed door next to the suite, I explained it leads to the basement laundry room. I do not offer access to a washer & dryer as part of the amenities although I might agree if there were extenuating circumstances. I went upstairs to give a tour to the wife & son of the garden & decks. The grandma told my husband that she was going to do laundry, he told her to wait while he confered with me but, alas she did not and was stuffing the washer by the time I dashed down to the laundry room. I was able to get her to divide the clothing into 2 loads by insisting that it was "Too much!"
I went to a private part of the house to take a breather & then heard crashing in the kitchen (also not a shared space) Grandma was taking apples I'd picked out of a large pot. "I cook noodles" I put the apples back into the pot and showed her an assortment of pots and pans. She made her choice. Cowardly, I fled the kitchen and went up to our neighbors house where I could be given a drink. Thus fortified, I came back down to here the sound of the kitchen sink going full blast. ( my husband had wisely retreated to his office and a game of scrabble ) Grandma was washing up at the sink, bang crash. I told her that I would do the clean up and had to turn off the water & take the plate from her hand. She had managed to put cracks in 2 of my pretty vintage plates, sniff. Later, she came up to boil water for tea, ignoring the electric kettle in the suite and disdaining the cups and tea pot I'd provided. Her daughter or daughter in law seemed embarrased but powerless before this pint sized despot.
Grandma wasn't the actual booking guest but, Dang! It was maybe dishonest to call a 9 year old an infant & certainly could cause awkwardness in a space that is ample for an actual baby but not a big kid. I don't want to have these guys back again, was grateful it was only for one night. So, I could not review them at all which would keep them verified and unreviewed & able to book only with those brave/naive like me or give 4 stars "Better suited to motel 6" and don't reccomend on the last day of review or after they review. Any thoughts? They might be okay if grandma wasn't along, Sally
