Upon check-in there was mouse feces in multiple rooms, including the kitchen cabinets. The owner's initial response was to send us some electric "mouse noise deterrents". After the mice were still there two weeks later, the owner gave us the number to a pest control company to have them address the issue. We ended up buying mouse traps and catching them ourselves, which was a first for us in a short-term rental.
Upon check-in the ice maker in the freezer did not work. After following up with the owner four times over two weeks without it being repaired, the owner gave us the appliance repair service's number and asked us contact them ourselves. We scheduled the repair service, notified the owner of the appointment date, they replaced a valve, and we paid the bill on site. When we sent the owner the repair bill for reimbursement, she refused to reimburse us for four weeks! After we eventually filed a grievance with VRBO, she finally reimbursed us.
The public water service in the area went off for SEVEN days during our stay. The owner did offer to provide us a hotel during this time, which was thoughtful. We found an Econo Lodge for $102 total per night, which was the least expensive hotel in the area during the summer busy season. The owner haggled with us about the cost being too high, even though it was less than we had paid in total VRBO cost per night for her rental, but eventually reimbursed us for the hotel. We later learned from local residents that the public water distribution system in this area is unreliable and goes out frequently.
Other than these management issues, the property itself is in a peaceful and quiet remote area up in the mountains and makes for a pleasant retreat from traffic and crowds. It is a comfortable and safe space with two nice bedrooms, each with its own bathroom en suite. There is a private deck for enjoying the outdoors and nature. The kitchen has very basic equipment and utensils, so if you're staying there for a while and want to cook at home (as we did) you may want to bring some supplies with you.