Payment process was different compared to website. I paid a deposit and was advised that the other half would be paid upon arrival. I tried to prepare and make plans in advance by seeking clarification and was assured that all was in order. However, 2 days before departure, i was urgently advised that payment could not be taken from my bank details. This is because there is nowhere to store bank card details in VRBO's website. I think there are IT integration IT issues and a lack of understanding how the process works between the handover from Home and Away to VRBO. The VRBO website is struggling and wouldn't upload the messages function so both of us couldn't effectively communicate for long periods of time. This made for quite a stressful experience so close to departure along with the last minute changes , running the risk of losing the apartment due to payment deadlines being potentially missed.
The apartment check in was very rushed. A welcome pack/folder with useful information would have been beneficial. ie, taxi numbers, left luggage locations, emergency numbers, fire exit information, general house keeping, rubbish recycling if we wished to help out, sight seeing information etc. There were 2 safes are both we're out of action. The WIFI signal is very weak. It would have been beneficial to have some salt and sugar in the kitchen. Quite a few lights didn't work. Musty smell in one of the showers (near the front) and slight mould on tile joints - shower room would benefit from an extractor fan. Overall, a couple of issues with the apartment so there is definitely room for improvement and the website and communications with the property management company is quite poor. The check in person was very pleasant, but it felted rushed. The cost doesn't feel value for money balanced with the overall experience if you bear in mind the communications' experience, website performance issues, apartment offer and face to face contact points.