The Big Blue

Public review: A lot of comments mentions issues with the lock of the front door. We encountered the same issue but it turns out that we just need to insert the key and turn it to the left to open the door. The fact that the door knob doesn't work at all is receiving at first but we were able to open the front door using the method mentioned above. As for the view, we actually found this place to be one of the most beautiful place in Avalon. 10/10 would recommend over any other hotels as most are located next to the busy streets.

Public review: Pros: Beautiful View of the water, location is close to everything, and a gated community. Helmut also is very responsive if you message him. Cons: I wish I didn’t have to write this, but it is truly a buyer-beware scenario as the pictures don’t accurately show what you are getting into. I will start from the top: 1) Front Door: The lock is broken. The door itself does lock, but sometimes took us 5 minutes to find the sweet-spot to get the door opened. (Other reviews also mention this, but host fails to fix it) 2) Golf Cart: is a complete disaster. We experienced a flat while using it and it ruined our night as its a must to get around and we were stuck for hours waiting on a repair. It is disgustingly dirty, stalls out often, and you have some fear if you’ll make it up the hills. Not taken care of at all, and we were told its a luxury addition but if its out of service its not his fault. So if you’re booking this knowing you have a golf cart and it doesn’t work, well according to his belief you’re SOL. 3) The Space: While some reviews also complain about needing updates, his responses are that he makes them as he can when it is not booked. You can see constant touch-ups of a different color paint, broken curtains, windows that don’t lock, dirty ceilings and patio screens, broken draws, filthy dishwasher (hand wash prior to using please), yellow old gross pillows, old furniture different than in photos which is not updates as they are reused old pieces that don’t match, a tiny TV, mismatched random dishes/cups/silverware and not enough for daily use, old shower where handles barely turn water off, and a bunch more. 4) Lighting: Picture Grandmas house 1975. Good luck seeing. 5) The Balcony is NOT PRIVATE. Anyone can just walk up to your doors, or windows. On 2 days we had workers on our balcony (from next door, not here because no work is being done here), and another day we had a family looking over our balcony at the water. Steps run up from the public walkway to your stay. No gates or separation of balconies. Also, the windows don’t have screens and it gets hot inside with no AC, so be aware of leaving the windows open when you’re gone or sleeping - easily accessible, and while it is a gated community, its also where many people stay and who knows what they can do. 6) The stairs are noted on his description. We cannot complain because he does warn you, but get ready to get tired before you make it to the door or to the top. 7) You spend your hard earned money, and the host just collects. The amount of money spent daily on this stay should be plenty for additions and updates to be made, but anything that the host “updates” is just another outdated piece or a mismatched item or a cover-up. Look at other stays in Hamilton Cove - they are without a doubt updated and beautiful. The potential here is unlimited, but the care from the host in his property seems solely to collect, and not to spend anything. Other reviews deemed replies from the host saying to compare it to hotels. You don’t get a pool, or a volleyball court (need you own ball), or putt putt (need your own club), or tennis court (need your own racquet), and hotels in Avalon definitely seem a bit sketchy, but this is somewhat comparable to them and shouldn’t be voiced by the host that you get more at his stay than a hotel, because simply - you do not. Again, Buyer-Beware. Private feedback: While the place itself is in a prime spot, there has clearly been no actual renovations made. Other reviews have stated similar opinions, but changing furniture to what feels like other old/used pieces of furniture does not seem like updates. The place itself felt like a time-warp into the 80s. When compared to other stays in Hamilton Cove that we looked at on Airbnb, they were so much more updated. The place itself needs a fresh coat of paint, not just constant touchups of a different color. You have broken blinds throughout, dirty ceilings and even filthier above the table. The bathroom is a disaster truthfully, the lighting needs a huge change, and updates throughout need to be made. The golf cart itself, although you state it is a luxury, is a complete safety hazard. We were getting passed up left and right and didn’t even think we’d make it up some hills. 2 separate times we were laughed at solely for the condition the golf cart was in and how dirty it was. This is far from a cheap stay ($475/night for even 300 nights is $142K+ and upwards of $160-$170K if booked fully) - you can spend some money instead of just collecting. Because of the location itself, your timely responses, and it still being somewhat of a practical stay I couldn’t say this was awful, but it should have a buyer beware because what you depict in your pictures is beyond inaccurate.

Public review: The condo was a little dated with some definite wear and tear, as was the golf cart. Check-in was not the smoothest as the security gate requires names and ages of everyone staying, and weren’t very friendly. The HOA at Hamilton Cove was a little annoying. We had family staying in another unit there, and if we shared a meal together we would get complaints immediately for having too many people in a unit. Helmut was a great host and the location and views were incredible however.

Public review: Such a beautiful place, we had an unforgettable experience staying here. The views are breath taking! The owner is very responsive. Private feedback: We very much enjoyed the condo! We would definitely stay here again! Just wanted to mention that the first night we arrived we took our shoes off and walked around the house completely barefoot, only to discover at the end of the night that the souls of our feet were completely black with dirt.