Air BnB Discussion

[justinbrett]

Actually, AirBnBs are quite affordable and there’s a lot of them in and around Waikiki. Have one booked again in a few months.

But yes, hotels are crazy expensive…. . Not sure there’s been any/many new hotels built/opened for years?

You couldn’t pay me to use AirBNB again. I’ve been done with that platform for years.

 

[SYD]

E

You couldn’t pay me to use AirBNB again. I’ve been done with that platform for years.

Each to their own.

OT, but why?

It’s been our Go To choice for longer stays* around the world for some time. Bets the cough out of hotels when you can self cater, do laundry etc.

*ie 4 or more days, sometimes a week or two, even a month or three. BUT it pays to careful read the reviews!

 

[justinbrett]

E

Each to their own.

OT, but why?

It’s been our Go To choice for longer stays* around the world for some time. Bets the cough out of hotels when you can self cater, do laundry etc.

*ie 4 or more days, sometimes a week or two, even a month or three. BUT it pays to careful read the reviews!

Surely this musn't be news to you that people are turning off Airbnb? It's been in the news for ages (and matches my own opinions). Basically not cheap enough to make up for the hassles associated - especially when competing with a hotel that offers early check in/late checkout/ bag storage etc. For me I've had more than one host cancellation within 72 hours of the booking, which is just unacceptable.

If you want an apartment for laundry and cooking you can get them through other sites including booking.com.

What happened to Airbnb?

Financially, the sharing economy darling is thriving, but guests, hosts, and cities have had enough.

www.vox.com

 

[SYD]

Surely this musn't be news to you that people are turning off Airbnb? It's been in the news for ages (and matches my own opinions). Basically not cheap enough to make up for the hassles associated - especially when competing with a hotel that offers early check in/late checkout/ bag storage etc. For me I've had more than one host cancellation within 72 hours of the booking, which is just unacceptable.

If you want an apartment for laundry and cooking you can get them through other sites including booking.com.

What happened to Airbnb?

Financially, the sharing economy darling is thriving, but guests, hosts, and cities have had enough.

www.vox.com

Staying OT, yes there are limitations to AirBnB etc. I wouldn’t book one if arriving late (unless I was familiar with the self checkin process). I wouldn’t bother for one or two nights (unless it’s an area where there aren’t hotels - done that). I wouldn’t consider it for work travel, unless it was a long stay - maybe.

Never had a host cancel (out of many many stays). But that that would be the pits.
Again, pays to read the reviews. Any that say “Host cancelled” is a big red flag.

Yes, you can book on other platforms but in many locations, it’s generally still the same properties / hosts. And yes, I use / check Boooking.com, Expedia etc.

Lurching further OT, I’m on way to to China and basically all the attractions, tours, transfers sold by Viator are being resold by Expedia, Booking.com, Trip.com etc Usually similar pricing (so go with the one you might be accumulating credits with) but also some remarkable differences in price.

Whatever you’re comfortable with. We’re still fine with AirBnB (amongst others)
and happy with the healthy serve of QFF points along the way.

 

[justinbrett]

Never had a host cancel (out of many many stays). But that that would be the pits.
Again, pays to read the reviews. Any that say “Host cancelled” is a big red flag.

One of my cancellations was in Manhattan and the guy had nearly perfect reviews. And to be fair he gave me a good reason (a burst pipe). The problem is the individual nature of the listings, if something goes wrong there’s not an identical unit on another floor they can move you to, and even if the owner has multiple properties, a replacement is most likely completely different in a different location (which was offered to me on another stay in West Virginia but I moved to a Hilton apartment instead).

Yes, you can book on other platforms but in many locations, it’s generally still the same properties / hosts. And yes, I use / check Boooking.com, Expedia etc.

Again I steer clear of the single listings, you can usually find a serviced apartment with a reception desk. Even the major chains operate them like Embassy Suites (Hilton) and similar. Airbnbs are good when all goes to plan but when it goes wrong, it goes very wrong and recovery options are limited to none.

Lurching further OT, I’m on way to to China and basically all the attractions, tours, transfers sold by Viator are being resold by Expedia, Booking.com, Trip.com etc Usually similar pricing (so go with the one you might be accumulating credits with) but also some remarkable differences in price.

Viator is a reseller just like the others. I usually try to find the company direct or if not book through my hotel. I have used Viator but they usually add a huge commission on top.

 

[Happy Dude]

We love them for short term house rentals in coastal areas that have limited hotel options which often also don't allow dogs. Using a kennel for a sneaky long long weekend is not only costly but impractical due to the kennel drop off/pick up rules.

There is a lot wrong with the system now, which has been exploited/weaponised by profiteers, but it's something we put up with. I'd like to see the government exclude AirBnB properties from negative gearing as a way of helping with the housing crisis.

 

[Disco]

One of my cancellations was in Manhattan and the guy had nearly perfect reviews. And to be fair he gave me a good reason (a burst pipe). The problem is the individual nature of the listings, if something goes wrong there’s not an identical unit on another floor they can move you to, and even if the owner has multiple properties, a replacement is most likely completely different in a different location (which was offered to me on another stay in West Virginia but I moved to a Hilton apartment instead).




Again I steer clear of the single listings, you can usually find a serviced apartment with a reception desk. Even the major chains operate them like Embassy Suites (Hilton) and similar. Airbnbs are good when all goes to plan but when it goes wrong, it goes very wrong and recovery options are limited to none.



Viator is a reseller just like the others. I usually try to find the company direct or if not book through my hotel. I have used Viator but they usually add a huge commission on top.

We've had a couple of cancellations that really wrecked planned family weekends with very poor excuses i.e. they had double booked the first night. AirBnb promised a $50 voucher for the next booking which never eventuated - the booking was much later and by that time the voucher was forgotten. The hosts can be nice but often the facilities e.g. bed or bathroom are basic; never had a return visit to a property. I've found the consistency/standardisation of hotels/apartments to work best.

 

[SYD]

We love them for short term house rentals in coastal areas that have limited hotel options which often also don't allow dogs. Using a kennel for a sneaky long long weekend is not only costly but impractical due to the kennel drop off/pick up rules.

Those holiday rental type properties are great examples of where AirBnB (and other platforms) make unique rentals much more accessible when there aren’t many or any other options.

I grew up on the NSW mid north coast and there were a dozen or more properties only used over the summer holidays. Long before any housing crisis. That obviously was not the Byron Bay area - which is having serious challenges with year round demand.

There is a lot wrong with the system now, which has been exploited/weaponised by profiteers, but it's something we put up with. I'd like to see the government exclude AirBnB properties from negative gearing as a way of helping with the housing crisis.

Actually, owner / landlords are taking a risk using AirBnB (and others) over a secure long term rental (I know what I prefer - a long term tenant!). If there is genuine issues with supply and demand, than perhaps do what NYC has done for years (even before AirBnB) and limit apartment rentals to min 30 days. Works for me.

One of the real problems are “dark properties” ie offshore investors parking cash in secure assets but neither living in them, nor renting via any means…

 

[Quickstatus]

Actually, owner / landlords are taking a risk using AirBnB (and others) over a secure long term rental (I know what I prefer)

I think AirBnb have a place but I also think they do cause problems in the long term rental market as they restrict long term rental availability.
We are seeing it in my other place Jindabyne.
Several cities have sought to restrict short term rental availability. Not just NYC but SF and closer to home Byron Bay.


As a consumer I am marginal about AirBnB. Increasingly Im going back to commercial hotels/motels

 

[burmans]

Personally a big fan of apartments over hotels (probably would go 70/30) but these days booking.com gets my money 90% of the time. You can occasionally get Airbnb gift cards at 10% off and this makes them competitive but booking.com usually cheaper, sometimes by a lot if you have guru status.

 

[DC3]

You couldn’t pay me to use AirBNB again. I’ve been done with that platform for years.

I’ve never got into the AirBNB thing, but your posts are very useful.