Looking for a relaxing time in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles? Then NEVER rent Jean-Philippe de Jong's Hamlet Sunset Villa # 13. The website pictures only show 3 outdoor photos, which are misleading to what the house is REALLY like.
He charges anywhere from $225 -$475/night, and you would expect pretty decent accomodations for that, right? WRONG - this is a large villa for sure, but is to be classified as a BUDGET accommodation. Here is a partial list of problems we encountered during our two week-stay:
1) a first look outside resulted in a poor impression: gate falling apart and weeds abound.
2) the villa had not been aired for quite some time and we found dust everywhere.
3) the ground floor bathroom was dirty and smelly; upon opening the window a nest of ants fell to the floor indicating the window had not been opened for ages!
4) the living room/dining room furniture is old and uncomfortable.
5) there was only one tablecloth for one of the two round metal tables and the local rep coul not provide a second one! Which means we had to hand-wash it every other day.
6) not only was there no dishwasher (acceptable) but the clothes washer was broken and unuseable. And, to clean the tile floors, yes, there was a mop but nothing to rinse it out!
Again, the local rep could not help so we mopped and wrung out the mop by hand.
7) while our understanding was maid service twice a week, the local rep said no, only once. Then she either checked with you or decided to send the maid twice a week. As it turned out she showed up a total of three times (and not four).
8) Upstairs the centerBR air conditioner did not function properly so we had to change rooms the second night.
9) most of the screens in the BRs either had holes in them or were coming apart.
10) one window in the left BR had hinges and screws completely rusted away with the result that it flew out when there was a strong wind/cross current, and crashed to the ground. Luckily no one was hurt (rep had it fixed).
11) the right upstairs BR bathroom had a decidedly fetid odor upon arrival and obly after much effort on our part did it go away, only to return a few times more.
12) upon flushing the toilets quite often the shower drain would gurgle and on occasion spew up water!
13) many of the wooden frames of the windows are rotting away.
14) the fan in the right BR has only three blades and oscillated in a dangerous manner.
15) one blanket (there were only four!) was so threadbare it had holes in it. And the local rep..." could not find another one on the whole isalnd"! (her words).
16) there is a serious leak in the ceiling of the right BR with water dripping on one bed.
Nothing local rep could do about it...
17) when it rained hard, water entered under the door to the upper terrace of the upper BR (also no key for this BR).
18) the lock on the door to the outside stairwell does not function.
19) the front door jammed on the night before our departure creating a problem for entry.
20) the "patio" is a breeding ground for mosquitoes for when it rains large puddles form due to poor drainage.
21) The mattresess were all pee-stained and old and uncomfortable
22) Pretty much everything you touched fell apart
21) in conclusion, the general atmosphere is squalid and certainly not what we expected for $375 per day!
22) Inside furniture was cheap and sparse and uncomfortable, outside furniture is even cheaper furniture (can you say plastic and cheap rattan?)
After many e-mails back and forth with Mr.De Jong, providing pictures of the sad state of disrepair of the house, providing comparitive villas and prices, he refuses to re-imburse us ANYTHING, therefore he was warned, he will be placed on the consumer complaints for anyone that is even THINKING about renting the place.
Sick of Ripoffs and Dishonest People
Redmond
U.S.A.
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