We stayed here in the Orca Watch rental. I had read the reviews that had said it wasn't very clean and smelled moldy, but I wasn't too worried as we are far from clean freaks. We had a Livingsocial deal, so we figured it was worth a try. The normal rates are like $220 a night. I would NEVER pay this. Maybe $75 a night.
It is a unique place with a ship's motif which is neat, but the TV is going out and the picture is distorted. No fan or exhaust and the kitchenette is right in the living room, so we had the lone smoke alarm going off when we cooked. Since there is no exhaust, I noticed the spoke detector in the main living area was missing - I see why after cooking food that was basic and having the alarm that is in the bedroom going off. The tub looked clean, but on the walls were long, curl hairs. Big yuck! There is a soap dispienser on the shower wall that is empty and looks like it hasn't been used in years. Just tacky. No entry may, so water and leaves follow you in. Floors were not clean when we arrived and I discovered this because I went to sweep something up and realized the whole floor needed it. No paper twels, only 2 kitchen towels were provided. Not enough when you are staying two days and washing dishes by hand.
The woodstove was so caked with soot we decided not to use it since it looks like a fire hazard. What was the final starw was after returning home I realized I had left a pair of very spendy running pants hanging behind the bedroom door. I immediately called and left a message, stressing I'd be more than happy to pay in advance for the shipping to send them back to me. No call, so I then sent them an email thru their contact form. Absolutely no response. These were $90 CW-X tights, for those of you who are runners, you will appreciate my dismay :/ )
I have had business associates who staed in huge hotels, left something behind and even they were able to get manamgement to ship it to them. I stay on Orcas Island several times a year and the only reason we stayed here was the online deal made it seem like a great deal. Really too bad becuase we would have liked to stay in one of their other rentals on a return trip, but the value and lack of customer service concerning the forgotten item sealed the deal for us to take our business elsewhere. read more