Bula Bliss

The street was covered in litter and didn't feel like a nice or safe area. Inside, the building felt like a prison, with bars on the doors and windows of around six apartments. Our bedroom windows faced the shared hallway, so open curtains meant no privacy, and the bars made the room feel even more prison-like. The listing didn't adequately mention the three flights of stairs or lack of a lift. That was hard for my mother in her seventies, and for us with lots of luggage and two small children. We arrived at the 3pm check-in time, but the cleaner was still there until nearly 5pm, tidying after the previous guests' party the night before. She was lovely, very apologetic, and did a good job, but we still found several pieces of glass on the floor. We had to wear shoes inside and couldn't let our baby crawl. She said she couldn't do more because the vacuum wasn't working properly. The so-called balcony was a strange little entrance area with no seating and windows instead of an open view outside. There was broken glass and cigarette butts on the floor, and it was unbearably hot because the AC vent was there. The sea view in the description was a stretch too, just a tiny glimpse of the ocean from miles away. There was only one stool at the breakfast bar because the others were broken out back. The AC in the back bedroom didn't work right either. The listing mentioned a futon, but it was actually a foam mattress rolled up in a cupboard for guests to set up themselves. The place smelled of cigarette smoke and felt depressing and unsafe. If we hadn't only been there for one night before leaving early the next day, we'd have found somewhere else.

We needed somewhere to unwind on a last-minute trip, and booking was friendly and helpful from the start. We planned on two nights but extended for a week because the place was a good bargain for the price. The property cleaner helped us check in, which was lovely. It was a great time, a good spot for young-at-heart folks, and close to the liquor shop with lovely, friendly neighbours.

The rooms are really nice, but the internet is terrible. We had to find somewhere else to stay because nobody told us the keys were in a lockbox, and there was no refund.

Flight Centre booked this place for us, but we couldn't get in because the code for the keys didn't work. We told Luke we'd arrive at 8pm, and he said to call back then if we had trouble getting inside. He didn't answer. We had to find another place, which was also the worst ever. A horrible experience all around, especially travelling with three young kids.