[DechanDawa]

I had Airbnb reservations for the spring then Airbnb abruptly cancelled my reservations because there were problems with the host.

I was a bit miffed. This isn't like a hotel. You have to start over and look for someplace new.

I hooked up with a Airbnb super hostess. The pictures of her place were fabulous so I booked a reservation with her.

Then I went on Google street view. On Google street view her place looks NOTHING like her pictures. It was like her pictures were in brilliant color and the reality is more black and white.

It's still okay. I know the city where I am going...and I can manage the neighborhood. I might want to pick up a can of pepper spray as soon as I get in town. (Something you cannot take on any flight.)

It is my first Airbnb. If they cancel on me again closer to my trip date it will be a real nightmare as I won't be able to book reservations in this city in the spring without major problems. I am wondering if maybe I should have just gone with the extra expense for a hotel.

[healingme4me]

I debated about giving them a test run over this past summer but everything turned into day trips. I have been researching for this upcoming summer. The 2 other companies that look a little better to me were VRBO and Home2Go over Airbnb. I know what you mean about worrying about another cancellation so close to being able to book a room.

Fingers crossed. Hopefully other members have some positive experiences to share.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by healingme4me

I debated about giving them a test run over this past summer but everything turned into day trips. I have been researching for this upcoming summer. The 2 other companies that look a little better to me were VRBO and Home2Go over Airbnb. I know what you mean about worrying about another cancellation so close to being able to book a room.

Fingers crossed. Hopefully other members have some positive experiences to share.

All I can say is research, research, research. The super hostess I made reservations with seems nice and she offers breakfast, which is a plus. It is her own home.


I found Airbnb has good support and security, and I had no trouble getting my deposit back from the first reservation. You have to give them government ID online. I called them a lot before I made my second reservations.

The only thing is the cancellation policy and that is going to be the same with any similar organization. It's not like a hotel where they might cancel a certain room or suite but provide you with another alternative room.

With people's homes there isn't the same security that is offered at a hotel. This person's home is on a little side street and not a place I would walk along late at night. As well...there are daytime muggings right in the center city area so pepper spray isn't being over-protective. I don't want to name the city but it is large and there is a high crime rate...although you would never know it looking at tourist brochures.

Oh, finally, what I don't like about Airbnb is they can't guarantee room security. I don't think I can lock the bedroom and that kind of unnerves me. Also, the hostess says she might have to go into the room during my stay to get "stored items." My feeling is..."Really?" -- "Like maybe store whatever it is in another bedroom?" I don't like this and don't plan to leave ANY valuables in the room during my stay.

[healingme4me]

Oh I've researching up a storm which is what I usually do anyways.

Had a friend suggest one of these Addalock - (1 Piece ) Portable Door Lock, Travel Lock, AirBNB Lock, School Lockdown Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00186URTY..._tLxjCbTABP2RA
For at least when we are in the room or home.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by healingme4me

Oh I've researching up a storm which is what I usually do anyways.

Had a friend suggest one of these Addalock - (1 Piece ) Portable Door Lock, Travel Lock, AirBNB Lock, School Lockdown Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00186URTY..._tLxjCbTABP2RA
For at least when we are in the room or home.

That would be good to lock one in at night, I guess. But this is a vintage, historical home and the doors on the room look...old...almost like shutters.

Also, if the hostess says they want access to the room...you are agreeing to that when making reservations.

All I can say is...cost wise...this is a fourth of what it would cost to stay in a hotel in this area. And breakfast is included. But security is...flimsy.

I think maybe Airbnb might be a thing that eventually fades away...as there are too many problems associated with it. I mean who wants to stay in a room with no security? It's kind of weird. Of course the house is locked and the hostess is the only one living there. Except for two cats. Maybe they can also come and go into and out of the guest room.

All one has to keep repeating, like a mantra is...yeah, but so cheap, so cheap, so cheap.

[healingme4me]

Even my landlady needs to notify me if she wants to enter my living space. And even here with my apartment, I can relate to your mantra of but it's cheap...so very very cheap compared to what's out there.
I won't be able to bunk us all into a little hotel room and I have had no luck finding suites or adjoining rooms and the idea of renting a vacation home or similar for a week or two seems a better financial path. I've looked around all three sites and am paying attention to fees, cancellation policies, etc. Some of the vloggers they follow have used airbnb-I'm sure with some type of Influencer kick back but it's a valid option.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by healingme4me

Even my landlady needs to notify me if she wants to enter my living space. And even here with my apartment, I can relate to your mantra of but it's cheap...so very very cheap compared to what's out there.
I won't be able to bunk us all into a little hotel room and I have had no luck finding suites or adjoining rooms and the idea of renting a vacation home or similar for a week or two seems a better financial path. I've looked around all three sites and am paying attention to fees, cancellation policies, etc. Some of the vloggers they follow have used airbnb-I'm sure with some type of Influencer kick back but it's a valid option.

Yeah, but this isn't like a landlord situation. You agree that the host will have access to the room upfront...or...forget the reservation. That's just how it works.


Like I said...it's very loose and you can't be too demanding. I was looking at tons of places. One was an open loft over a yoga studio...where your bathroom was the one used by all the yoga students! No security because...no doors. No privacy. And it was the same price as the one I eventually booked. Another place offered a room that wasn't much larger than the bed...with a shared bathroom. In a very inconvenient location on a busy avenue.


I wanted a decently safe neighborhood...a private bath...and a room I could turn around in. Use of a kitchen with breakfast and a coffee bar is a real plus. This place also has a lovely garden. So I looked for places with outdoor space. I was lucky...I think...with this place. But the pictures are always going to be glossy and bright and taken with a wide angle lens. The reality might be smaller, and less bright.


This type of accommodation is kind of one step up from a youth hostel.


I intend to travel light...and keep my valuables on me. What I was looking for was the neighborhood...because it is a big city...and there are neighborhoods you don't want to stay in. So for me everything was about location. And I found the perfect location.


With Airbnb look for super hosts...and read the reviews by others who have stayed there.

[WishfulThinker66]

No I haven't my own experience with this sort of accommodation but I know people who have - and everyone of them did not have a positive experience. In most cases the residence was far from what was advertised (ie. didn't have the view promised, not in the sort of neighbourhood expected, not in the condition shown, etc). Complaints that the home was not clean and tidy are also common.

Would you consider the tried and true method of an old fashioned BnB (Bed and Breakfast)? They have checks and regulations that Airbnb generally doesn't. The hosts are present too which has its positive consequences. For instance, being on site tends to result in the home being 'showtime' ready. In my own experiences with BnB's I have had positive interractions with the hosts; some of whom I remain incontact with years later. Many BnBs are certified and/or belong to associations. And, of course, your host is always ready with recommendations for others along your route of travel. I have both prebooked sight unseen and simply shown up in a community and looked around for a room. Positive experiences each and every time.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by WishfulThinker66

No I haven't my own experience with this sort of accommodation but I know people who have - and everyone of them did not have a positive experience. In most cases the residence was far from what was advertised (ie. didn't have the view promised, not in the sort of neighbourhood expected, not in the condition shown, etc). Complaints that the home was not clean and tidy are also common.

Would you consider the tried and true method of an old fashioned BnB (Bed and Breakfast)? They have checks and regulations that Airbnb generally doesn't. The hosts are present too which has its positive consequences. For instance, being on site tends to result in the home being 'showtime' ready. In my own experiences with BnB's I have had positive interractions with the hosts; some of whom I remain incontact with years later. Many BnBs are certified and/or belong to associations. And, of course, your host is always ready with recommendations for others along your route of travel. I have both prebooked sight unseen and simply shown up in a community and looked around for a room. Positive experiences each and every time.

This thread is asking about members' personal experience with Airbnb. Since you have only scant second hand knowledge it is not very helpful. One can go online and read good and bad reviews. Obviously I will be using Airbnb as I have already booked the reservations. And I already said on this thread that one has to be prepared for a more black-n-white experience even if the pictures shown were glossy and bright.

I don't need advice on how to book a BnB as have done that countless times in my life. BnB's can also be iffy and not as expected for the price. Nowadays one can encounter things like bed bugs even in high priced hotels. I booked reservations for a room in someone's home because I think it might actually be cleaner than a hotel! I once stayed at a high-priced hotel in San Francisco and the first thing I saw going out on the street was a rat...so it kind of depends on the city. I was in a good neighborhood in the downtown area of San Francisco...with tons of tourists...but still...there was rats and garbage right in front of the hotel on the street. Same thing can happen in New York City where I also saw rats in good neighborhoods.

I think I am going into this eyes open and it will be at a fraction of the cost in a city where hotels and BnBs are exorbitant in cost, especially in spring and summer, as it is a tourist spot. It would be naive to sail into this city expecting to find a BnB or even a hotel room without reservations during the height of the tourist season.

I chose wisely and I think I will have a good experience as a "super" hostess is highly rated. As far as the neighborhood...as I said on this thread I already did a Google street view map and there won't be any surprises.

I will be saving hundreds of dollars which I can use to have a good time in the city instead of on hotels.

Finally, it is good to try new things in life and to not be so afraid one is going to have a bad experience. On the contrary, I might have a fantastic experience while saving a ton of money.

[eskielover]

I have several friends who own places they lease out through airBnB. Everyone loves their places.

[DechanDawa]

Originally Posted by eskielover

I have several friends who own places they lease out through airBnB. Everyone loves their places.

Thank you for this feedback.

[WishfulThinker66]

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

This thread is asking about members' personal experience with Airbnb. Since you have only scant second hand knowledge it is not very helpful.

Well I am sorry. I imagined my input would in fact be useful. Since I pointed out multiple experiences I have first hand knowledge about, my knowledge of the subject is not 'scant'. You have made your point though. I was wrong to have thought that way.

[DechanDawa]

[QUOTE=WishfulThinker66;6387175]Well I am sorry. I imagined my input would in fact be useful. Since I pointed out multiple experiences I have first hand knowledge about, my knowledge of the subject is not 'scant'. You have made your point though. I was wrong to have thought that way.[/QUOTE



The thread specifically asked if you ever used Airbnb. You didn't -- but gave second hand information of the type I can get from reviews. First hand information would be if you yourself used a Airbnb, and not relating about others.You then went on to suggest BnB's - which wasn't the topic of discussion. I think you might want to answer the question posed in the thread and not use the thread to go off on your own tangent.