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Review 4906: Newport Beach Villas, 1515 Oceanfront, Newport Beach, CA

www.newportbeachvillas.com

Not Recommended
Review by H2 from US

2bed/1bath condominium in Newport Beach, CA, California

When

February 2011, Six Days

Location

A three Unit Condo at 1515 Oceanfront, Newport Beach, California. Great location, on the boardwalk. NPB is a terrific vacation destination!

Nearby Amenities

Coffee was a block from the condo (although we made our own). Restaurants and grocery store a ten minute drive away.

The House/Apartment

The older structure had been split into three separate units, two on the ground floor and another above. The condo was on the boardwalk in a long line of others.

Two bedrooms, living room, one bathroom, kitchen and small patio facing the ocean. Three car garage ... if all three vehicles were smart cars!

There were many things that needed attention in the condo! The top of the refrigerator was filthy as was the pullout cutting board under the counter. The small kitchen window needed repair and the blinds on the window were beyond dirty! Removing the garbage bag from the trash can revealed black mold in the bottom. Mold similar to that found at the top of the shower tile ... a quarter inch thick!

Garden

Small patio with old, weathered furniture guaranteed to leave splinters in ones behind!! No pool.

Furnishings/Cleanliness/Living Areas

Living room couch needed to be cleaned ... badly!! Fireplace had not been cleaned. Chairs on the small dining table had legs that needed screws tightened preventing collapse! Bed in the main bedroom had no head board. It was stored in a closet! One side of the condo had a graveyard of old, rusting charcoal grills.

Bedrooms/Bathrooms

Bed was adequate ... only two pillows. One bath towel per person was allowed. (Two total!) One roll of toilet paper. One third of a paper towel roll.

Kitchen

Kitchen fully equipped ... that's what the condo description said. Mismatched utensils and dishes ... cheap pots and pans. Gas stove was the only real thing clean in the kitchen. Kitchen cabinets missing drawer pulls. Kitchen had not been thoroughly cleaned in some time!

Problems or Bonuses

Most everything about the condo was a surprise ... negative surprises!

Agency and Representatives (and price)

Treatment by the agency was incredibly shoddy!! Their motto should be "The customer is NEVER right!"

Check-in instructions said to call the agency an hour prior to arrival and we would be met at the unit. We followed that instruction only to be told by the representative that he had already been waiting for us an hour when we called. The unit was left open for our arrival, perhaps twenty minutes later. No representative to greet us, no list of Do's or Don'ts, how the heat/TV et al worked.

When the outside door to the garage locked (not by our hand) and the garage remote was in the car, we were not able to gain access to the vehicle; the condo key did not open that particular door. We called the agency. The response was in the nature of, "Well, if I have to, I'll be there to open the garage," obviously an imposition.

On arrival, the agent was condescending, rude and otherwise little or no help as we tried to address the other issues we had about the unit. When asked who her superior was or who the owner of the condo was, we were told that was not of our concern! At this point, she stormed out of the unit!

Our stay was six days, Tuesday, Feb 1, through Sunday, Feb 7 - 2011. They required half down on the booking and the balance 30 days prior to arrival cash only! Yes, we were stupid!

Do you recommend this vacation rental to others?

Would not ever do business with these people! Would not stay in this unit again. It would be a great Animal House frat pad!

Things to do in this area

Here's the good news:

Blackies by the Sea ... coldest draft beer in the universe and a great hot dog!
Pescadou - French Bistro - excellent service and food! Nice house wine!
Malarkey's - Open at 730am - Hearty and tasty Breakfast!
Blue Water Grill - Outstanding Oysters, terrific combo platter and Fish & Chips!
NPB Brewing Company - Superior IPA, yummy pizza and ribs!

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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