Racist / Incompetent Guests!
For the most part this is a vent, but if anyone has suggestions for reporting them to VRBO or advising to just let it go - that would be appreciated.
Setting: Our completely off-grid VRBO home in far southern Colorado where many generations of indigenous people have lived since sometime in the 1200s. Spanish is a common language across Colorado, but especially in this area, due to the migration from Spain in the 1600s.
Guests: Older couple in their 70s-80s & younger child. From Indiana (which probably doesn't mean much but maybe.)
First interaction: Guests arrived with the keybox code and instructions for which door the key opens (front door). They got the key out of the box, no problem. THEN they walked around the entire house looking for a door that the key might fit into. The directions are clear - only fits the front door. They walked around the house trying every door and went by the front door approximately 5 times - it's very obvious it's the front door since the path from parking leads directly to that door.
Second interaction: Our onsite caretaker got a text message about 7pm "Netflix worked last night, but it won't let us connect now." Caretaker responded that they need to use their own log-in and that previous guests likely logged in but forgot to disconnect. Caretaker reminded them that we do NOT provide streaming services - they must use their own account(s). She also reminded them that all of this is in the Guest Guide that they received prior to arrival and a hard copy is onsite. She then suggested that instead of trying to watch televised/streaming programs that they watch a DVD since there is an extensive DVD library next to the master bedroom. They said OK and text went quiet.
Third interaction: It's now after 9:00pm and the guests called the Caretaker to tell her that the DVD player would not work. Caretaker (who was already in bed) got dressed and went over to the house. The guests did not know how to open the tray on the DVD - they could not find the Eject button clearly imprinted on the front just like every other DVD / VCR player in the universe. Caretaker showed them how to do it. No problem with that finally.
Racist interaction: The TV was, by then, on and was captioning in Spanish. The Guests got VERY upset over "that language". They ranted for several minutes and made it very clear they do not want people speaking "that language" anywhere near them. Caretaker left without responding (good on her). Needless to say, she was aghast.
Each event (except the last one) would have been fine on its own. But in combination seems very concerning and then the rant. It was shocking to say the least.
No further communication with the guests. They left before 8am today (checkout is 10). Radio silence which I think is a good thing.
What say you?
Posted Sep 14, 2026, 7:56 PM UTC