4/10 Poor
Laura Maness B., New York
5 Apr 2022
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Lovely people, horrible insect infestation
To begin with, you will not find a nicer family than the hosts. They are kind, considerate and wonderful people whom we adore. In fact, after spending two full summers staying at their Hamptons home, we consider them more friends than hosts. That said, our experience was such that we feel it’s important to share the pain, frustrations and concerns with the property.
1) Insect infestation: it was and is absolutely horrendous...truly unimaginable and relentless. The first week was ants both large and small in the MBR, which we discovered are they marched thru the bed, over our bodies and up the walls. Next were flying insects—no exaggeration—by the hundreds. We were been bitten ALL DAY, EVERY DAY by biting midges (no-see-ums), gnats and mosquitos in all areas of the house. While we were extremely diligent in always keeping doors closed, we suspect the sheer volume was due to the seals on the windows, the mossy mature landscaping, heavy rain, dying patio trees and the extremely rotted wood of the deck. We ingested more Raid than any family should ever have to, but we had to choose between being feasted on every hour we spent indoors or breathing in the noxious chemicals. In addition to purchasing 3 UV-light zappers and going thru a half dozen cans of Raid, we also killed dozens by hand on the ceiling and walls. On hot & humid days/nights it was so bad we would spray ourselves with bug repellant before going to bed. Not how we envisioned our summer.
2) Doors: both the front door and kitchen patio door swelled tremendously. The patio was bad enough that our 8 y/o could not come & go freely, and was difficult for us adults. However, the front door was beyond sticking—it has been absolutely wedged for the past 2-3 weeks and has required my husband to use two hands and pull with all his might to open.
3) Deck: it was in incredibly dangerous condition. While we knew it was in need of replacing, the dampness this summer caused the already rotting wood to become squishy and weak—causing each of us to put our foot thru in different locations. The continued rotting of the wood also exposed more nails, screw heads and splintering wood that made it hazardous to walk around—especially around the pool without shoes. Many scrapes and splinters were had.
4) Lastly, the construction literally right next door: the earsplitting noise was absolutely endless from 7am to 4pm or later, virtually every single day including often on weekends. It has made it nearly impo
Laura Maness B.
Stayed 72 nights in Jun 2021
