My husband, and I, have stayed at numerous VRBO rentals in Europe and America while also owning rental properties ourselves. This is the first really big disappointment I've ever had.
Pros-The location is close to Darling Harbor, QVB, Circular Quay and provides a great view of the harbor. The lobby of the building is clean, the staff is friendly and professional. The contact person with the property management company was very prompt and helpful with her communicating key pick up, etc.
Cons- There are two elevators, only one works and typically has the cleaning person in it with all of the dirty linens and trying to get a around which makes the delays in using the elevator longer. The hallway, outside the flat, has a funky odor and the odor in the flat is of stale cigarette smoke. We tried airing it out and the smell doesn't go away. There are some really basic maintenance items that should be taken care of, like reattaching the trim by the patio door and fixing the washing machine door latch. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn't which makes getting your laundry out a trick and time consuming. Cleaning the living room rug would not be a bad idea. The worst issue was the bathroom ceiling which is covered in mold and mildew and desperately needs to be addressed along with the mildew and mold in the base of the shower door. All of these things are not that difficult or expensive to fix and should be taken care of, especially when mold is a serious issue for most and allergy for some. The last really strange and frustrating detail is that guests are required to take out the garbage during and at the end of their stay which is made more difficult by garbage bags not even being provided. The garbage bags in the kitchen and bathrooms were plastic bags from some shops and there were no other bags provided. In a city where you don't even get plastic bags at the grocery stores, it becomes a even bigger irritation.