I can see, at one star, mine is tied for the highest rated review of Block Island Realty on Yelp! That should give one pause. Here's how the star was earned: their communications were fine, albeit minimal, and they represented the house accurately, in terms of the pictures.
Here's how they were lost: We could not gauge from the photos that the house would effectively be a sauna during most waking hours of the day. With no insulation and almost no ventilation through low awning windows, the heat rose intensely. It was a warmer week, with highs ranging from the mid 70s to the mid 80s, topping out at 88 one day. But inside, it was easily 100 degrees in the main area of the house and maybe 115 in the sleeping loft. The butter we left out turned to liquid. We simply couldn't be in there during the day, so we sat on the lawn, under the shade of the house, sheets draped over our legs for the nipping flies, fans running. It is more on the homeowner to address this, but it seems pretty unconscionable that BI Realty rents this for $500+ a night.
We asked whether the house had beach chairs and a beach umbrella. We were told they cannot guarantee the house did. (One might ask - could they at least go over and check? It's a small island!) So we added that bulk into our trunk, only to discover, in a dingy shed, that there were a half dozen beach chairs there (though most had scuzz that needed scrubbing) as well as an umbrella.
Please know - and it is in the lease -- that BI Realty does not provide sheets and towels (you can feel free to rent these on top of the princely sum they command). Nor do they provide paper towels, dish soap, bar soap, or ... toilet paper. (We discovered this last feature the hard way.) Why? When was the last time you paid $500+ a night and not reaped the luxury of toilet paper? I know it's a small detail ... but think of the mentality of a business that decides it prudent to eliminate this $5 expense. We also did not have bathmats (for Covid reasons, they said), though they did have blankets for us. Couldn't figure out that logic.
All told, this business seemed really good at cashing checks (checks, which must be mailed ... and you wait a month for the security deposit) ... and wanting in several other areas of customer care.
That said, Block Island is nice, and probably nicer in the off season. read more