The Summit Rainforest Retreat

The quiet setting, sunsets, and wildlife were lovely, but this didn’t feel like a rainforest retreat. The property description was a little misleading about the surroundings, which include mobile phone towers and large tanks. Apartment No1 was tired, with mould in the bathroom and cleaning below standard. The host controls the air conditioning, and you have to call the manager to switch between hot and cold. You can’t adjust the temperature. The TV had lagging frames or no picture on some channels, the toaster only cooked one side, and bugs filled the light fittings and the toilet and shower vents. Be careful if booking a room, since the kitchen and lounge are shared.

Getting into the room was simple: a code arrived by text at 2 pm on check-in day, and the key dispenser was easy to find. The other facilities are shared. It’s a clean, comfortable place, and I’d stay again. The spot is lovely, close to Atherton’s centre but away from built-up areas, with scrub turkeys wandering around and nice views. I’ve seen so many bad reviews that I wanted to add a more balanced one.

We left after about 20 minutes and drove home, but our request for a refund was denied, which we’d expected. The room looked nothing like the photos and felt sad and outdated. Trees now block most of the view. I’d wanted to book a nice night for my partner and me, so it was upsetting, especially since we’re young and don’t have much money. This was our first Airbnb booking, and now we’re out of pocket and back at home. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.

My four-year-old wouldn’t sleep in the room because there were so many spiders, so they ended up on an unsanitary couch. The manager had to come and clean at eight at night. My kids and I had booked one of the larger rooms at the rainforest resort, but there were random tables in the lounge covered in cobwebs and spiders, and I had to keep our one-year-old away from them. Behind every TV was dusty, and much of the furniture was dirty. It looked and felt more like a conference room than the website suggested. I wouldn’t recommend staying, especially with kids. I’ve tried to get in touch without success, and would like my money back or wish I hadn’t stayed at all.