Casa Samson

We booked La Casa Samson for two months to care for my father-in-law. Sadly, just days after we arrived in Montreal, he was hospitalized, placed in palliative care, and soon passed away. We stayed only three nights. Upon entering, there was a strong odor from three Febreze plug-ins. We unplugged them immediately, only to discover the underlying scent of humidity and mildew the next day. During our short stay, the hosts were responsive and accommodating when small items were needed. About a week later, we informed them of our situation, explained that we had left the unit spotless, and asked if any arrangement, reimbursement, or partial refund could be considered. The hosts said they didn’t want to cancel on their end, fearing Vrbo’s system would penalize their rating—even though Vrbo later confirmed they would have waived any penalties given the circumstances. While I understand the value of ratings to hosts, it was disheartening to see protecting an algorithm take priority over compassion and flexibility in an exceptional situation—especially while continuing to collect full payment. Despite multiple calls with the hosts, they were not willing to make an exception. For these reasons, I am giving a 1-star review—hosts who offered no meaningful support during a deeply unforeseen and difficult time, and the unhealthy odors inside the unit.