The owner of a Victorian Airbnb property which has been rated as the nation’s best holiday home has been charged with using a carriage device to harass and menace a Melbourne-based sales manager who left a negative review of the luxury accommodation business on a travel website.
David Penman, 53, who operates Clifftop at Hepburn in Victoria’s spa country was due to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this week, after allegedly sending a barrage of threatening messages to Matthew Taylor in June last year.
Hepburn Springs accommodation operator David Penman Credit:Simon Schluter
Mr Taylor, who sells software to the construction industry, had booked a four-night stay at Clifftop at Hepburn which, according to its Airbnb page, has won a swag of travel, hospitality and architectural awards and which costs $563 a night
However in a review on Tripadvisor, Mr Taylor claimed that his booking was abruptly cancelled following a minor dispute over the price of a second room.
“I said no problem, we were just enquiring because we were thinking about taking our parents, however it may pay to take down the contrary information on the website and I sent the link through for their convenience.
“Here’s the kicker, not only did this aggressive man refuse to own their [sic] mistake and honour the offer, not only did he say no, he cancelled our booking without notice or conversation. I have the email exchange to back it up as well,” he posted.
Mr Taylor, who declined to comment when contacted by The Age, gave the holiday rental business a rating of one star out of a possible five.
The reviews are understood to have prompted a barrage of abusive and threatening messages from Mr Penman to Mr Taylor.
Airbnb owner charged with menacing guest over negative review
Source: Philippines Alive
