First, I want to acknowledge that there were extenuating circumstances, and I believe Nancy's…read moreVacation Rentals did the best they could given the situation. It wasn't all bad, and Laura and Maine were both kind and helpful. However, I honestly feel our trip may have been doomed from the start.
We originally booked a rental right on the bay and planned our entire trip around that location. With a 9-month-old, we wanted to be within walking distance of attractions, shops, and restaurants rather than constantly driving. Less than a week before our trip, we were notified that our condo was unavailable due to a roach infestation following a death in the building. Understandably, the situation was unfortunate, but no alternative was available for our full stay. The only option was a unit in Pacific Beach for part of our stay. With so little notice, we felt our options were limited, especially since this was our anniversary and first vacation with our baby.
Upon arrival, someone was parked in our designated spot. After nearly 30 minutes of trying to contact someone, I reached Maine, who was helpful. Fortunately, the driver appeared and moved the car. We were also promised two bikes, but there was only one, and its tires were flat. Most of the bikes in the garage appeared extremely worn and poorly maintained.
Unfortunately, we arrived during a triple-digit heat wave. Although the listing disclosed that there was no AC, I believe providing a way to cool the unit during extreme heat is a safety and comfort issue, especially for guests with an infant. The fans provided simply circulated hot air, and the thin blinds did little to block the afternoon sun, which poured directly into the unit. We eventually learned there was a portable AC unit in the closet, but it was locked up and required an additional rental fee of nearly $300. I feel this should have been provided at no cost under the circumstances. Thankfully, maintenance arrived within a couple of hours to unlock and set it up. However, it only cooled the bedroom, leaving the rest of the unit extremely uncomfortable. While our baby napped, we had to keep the blinds closed and use fans and cool towels just to stay comfortable. The bedroom was tiny, so spending the day there wasn't practical.
The unit itself is desperately in need of updating and deep cleaning. The furniture, flooring, paint, and decor all look decades old. The pillows, couches, and rugs were visibly grungy, and we were not comfortable letting our baby crawl on them. Thankfully, we brought a play mat. The flooring was chipped and scratched throughout, and at sunset, dust and what appeared to be pet hair were visible in random areas. The blinds need replacing, as they offer almost no privacy or light blocking. These improvements wouldn't necessarily require a huge investment but would make a significant difference.
We also had an outlet issue near the TV that left us without a TV or Wi-Fi for the first few days. The lack of Wi-Fi made accessing the online guest portal difficult, and the printed information in the unit contained incorrect codes. Maintenance eventually resolved the outlet issue.
The kitchen had decent appliances, although we never cooked because the heat made using the oven seem unbearable. The outdoor amenities also need attention. The lounge chairs are old and sun-damaged, and the pool bathroom was disgusting. Guests are instructed to shower before using the pool, but the outdoor shower is no longer available. Overall, the facility feels run-down. The laundry room was closed most of our stay, although it was eventually updated.
A couple of nights into our trip, there was a murder a block away near Crystal Pier. I understand this was beyond the rental agency's control, but it was frightening. There were also frequently homeless individuals directly in front of the unit, which affected our comfort.
Pros:
* Excellent location directly on Pacific Beach
* Beautiful ocean view
* Comfortable bed and pillows
* Decent-sized bathroom with a large shower
* Walkable location with plenty of shops and restaurants
* Decent kitchen appliances
* Pool and jacuzzi
* Designated parking
* Hose outside the unit for rinsing off
* Beach toys, chairs, and boogie boards available
* Grill available
* Secure code access to the garage and lobby
Ultimately, I appreciate Nancy's Vacation Rentals trying to help us navigate an unexpected situation, and I recognize that some circumstances were outside their control. However, between the last-minute relocation, extreme heat, unexpected AC expense, cleanliness concerns, and overall condition of the unit and amenities, the experience was disappointing. I wish things had worked out differently, especially since this was such a special trip for our family.