Shine house

Great host, I enjoyed my stay , I we definitely book again

The apartment and location are located perfectly in Strand. The apartment is actually quite nice but the host needs to do a lot of work in the apartment.

I was charged a R150 late check-in fee despite informing the host well in advance that I would be travelling from Johannesburg to Strand—a journey of nearly 15 hours without stops. As any reasonable person would understand, long-distance travel requires rest breaks, so arriving between 15:00 and 17:00 was not feasible. I clearly communicated that I would aim to arrive safely between 19:00 and 20:00, which I did. At 17:11 on the day of arrival, I received a message from the host informing me of the late check-in fee, claiming this had been communicated earlier via Booking, while I was driving imagine. This was after I had already explained my situation in detail. While I initially accepted the fee on the assumption that someone would need to stay late to assist with check-in, I was disappointed to find that no one was present upon arrival—the key had simply been left in a hidden location. This raises a valid concern: what exactly was the R150 fee for, when no additional service was provided? After a long and exhausting journey, this felt both unfair and unnecessary. Additionally, the condition of the apartment was below standard. The door handle screws were loose, the bedroom door and sliding door did not close properly, and the washing machine door handle was broken. Water also seeps into the room at times, which is unusual given that the unit is on the top floor. Overall, the property appears poorly maintained, which is unfortunate because it has great potential to be a comfortable and affordable stay in Strand. Parking within the property is also quite challenging. It may be more practical to park outside if you plan to come and go frequently. I hope the host takes this feedback constructively, as the property could offer a much better experience with proper maintenance and clearer, fairer communication regarding fees.