AirBNB - Share your experiences here

[Skyring]

My experiences with AirBnB have been uniformly excellent. Usually there is a bit of to and fro to hook up with the host. It's not like checking into a hotel. But once settled, it's a more local, more private stay. Room to sprawl, facilities that a hotel doesn't offer, a freedom and convenience that I value highly.

For me, it's having a kitchen, a laundry, several rooms - for the same price as a hotel. I like to book for a few days, rather than in and out. This gives me a base to stay during a conference or during a longer trip.

Being able to rate the host, and be rated in return gives me a feeling of security. I always read the past reviews, and any difficulties or uncertainties soon become apparent. A little care has given me some excellent accommodation options around the world.

Definitely one of my first steps in planning a trip now. Some cities, you can get an excellent apartment right in the middle of town, fabulous views or whatever, and you know exactly what to expect, whereas a hotel is always a bit of a gamble as to which out of dozens or hundreds of rooms you might end up with.

https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/4093209
https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/3590599
https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/5196810
https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/536072

 

[get me outta here]

A couple of pointers for newbies: After you do much reading and sifting, a place my seem available on the calendar, but then when you go the contact owner type button and intro yourself and ask a few questions, they come back and say something like, 'I might not even be in this place next' whenever. This seems to happen in places with lots of apartments and therefore a relatively mobile popn. Makes it a bit hard for longer term planning.

Never go straight to the booking and payment page without the above step.

 

[get me outta here]

I did that only once, in a mid-winter bkg at the coast break. We had ALL our clothes on for the 2 nights we were there and we were still miserably cold - a very memorable weekend away.

We used one at Phillip Island in early May and it went without issue other than the usual reminder to read the fine print which referred to taking our own Doonas' and Towels.

 

[medhead]

Signed up and booked last night. Might have done all the wrong things. Usual Sydney hotel are fully booked. Just found an airbnb near work and booked it. Will see what happens.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

Just beware that if you are leaving the city later in the day then with a hotel you just leave your bags with reception. Airbnb might not have such options so more planning is required. Same applies with checking. If your early you might not be able to leave your bags.
Re linen ect.. just look that essentials are included in a list of things. As well as Aircon / heating. For me the biggest issues were paper thin pillows in 2 places and paying a surcharge for late checkin. Mind you the checkin was around 10.3pm and I knew about the extra $$ before hand.

 

[elan]

Last year as a family of 5 we stayed in NYC with Homeaway, another version of AirBNB. As someone has previously mentioned, read the reviews. Prior to booking this apartment, we noticed another apartment which appeared to be to good to be true, upon further investigation, it was clearly a scam as they wanted money sent to a Western Union account, we reported the incident and the site was removed, cant recall if that apartment was on Homeaway or AirBNB. Currently looking at using Homeaway or AirBNB for Hong Kong next year.

 

[JessicaTam]

Signed up and booked last night. Might have done all the wrong things. Usual Sydney hotel are fully booked. Just found an airbnb near work and booked it. Will see what happens.

Hope it goes well. I will be interested to hear what you think of the process/result.

 

[Timtammi]

Just booked my 2nd airbnb stay, in lax. First one was in Brussels last year and that one was perfect and exactly as expected /presented.

 

[get me outta here]

In the NY Times re SFO and NYC problems:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/29/t...-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well

 

[OzEire]

I have hosted my place on AirBnB since 2013, and stayed fairly regularly as well. Majority have been positive experiences but, as in life, there are hosts with more or less scruples.

As mentioned up thread (by GMOH?) it is well worth doing a bit of research and contacting the host - tell them your expectations to ensure everyone is on the same page.

 

[Julesmac]

I clean a guy's house in inner Melbourne, took me a while to work out what he was doing as it's not on a regular basis. Finally twigged it was Airbnb. He's got a family place down the coast so can bail if his house is let. It's a neat little 2 bedroom place, has a laundry, is a minute from the station, 15 mins to the city, good cafe nearby, parks, - and always spotless of course!! I would think it's let maybe once a month & Must be worth his while to pay me for the cleaning and not too inconvenient for him. I'm planning to try a booking down the Peninsula for a weekend break and will be interested to see how well it works. My daughter's done it in NYC Boston and DC and it was perfect

 

[blackcat20]

I clean a guy's house in inner Melbourne, took me a while to work out what he was doing as it's not on a regular basis. Finally twigged it was Airbnb. He's got a family place down the coast so can bail if his house is let. It's a neat little 2 bedroom place, has a laundry, is a minute from the station, 15 mins to the city, good cafe nearby, parks, - and always spotless of course!! I would think it's let maybe once a month & Must be worth his while to pay me for the cleaning and not too inconvenient for him. I'm planning to try a booking down the Peninsula for a weekend break and will be interested to see how well it works. My daughter's done it in NYC Boston and DC and it was perfect

A lot of places charge a cleaning fee so it may not be costing him anything directly.

 

[Leuke]

As a 25 year old always traveling on a tight Budget, I love AirBnB. In NYC early this year it really cut costs, cheaper that Hostels and usually better. I don't think I would've been able to stay in the city as long as I did without it.
I had one rough night when I went to Washington DC unexpectedly. There wasn't much available, so I booked a bed in a room with a bunk bed for $10... When I got there the lady told me she'd overbooked and offered me the couch for free, I was out by 6am so didn't really bother me, but I guess you need to be ready for those kinds of risks.

In the Philippines last year me and my girlfriend found some really cool places that had way more charm than your typical resort would, and all out hosts were very accommodating and friendly, helping us out as first timers in the country.

 

[cutz]

We have done two Europe trips using AIRBnB and VRBO. All up about 9 places in different cities / countries and they all worked out a treat. Personally I like VRBO better where possible as you deal more directly with the owners and in many cases they don't even require a deposit, or if they do it is usually relatively small amount, so the financial risk is lower. AirBNB seems more rigid and you have to stump up most / all of the money. I don't know that I would rent a room, but whole apartment has worked well for us. As others have suggested, read the reviews and usually you get a good picture of what the apartment and the host are like. We will be using these type accommodation providers again without hesitation. (PS: on another note regarding rowdy parties, on our latest trip we stayed in a lovely old place in Varenna, Lake Como which was beautiful and peaceful, other than one night when a wedding in the 5 star hotel 2 doors up shattered the peace until 4am with a crowd of Poms / Irishmen very noisily celebrating all night)

 

[travelislife]

We have done two Europe trips using AIRBnB and VRBO. All up about 9 places in different cities / countries and they all worked out a treat. Personally I like VRBO better where possible as you deal more directly with the owners and in many cases they don't even require a deposit, or if they do it is usually relatively small amount, so the financial risk is lower. AirBNB seems more rigid and you have to stump up most / all of the money. I don't know that I would rent a room, but whole apartment has worked well for us. As others have suggested, read the reviews and usually you get a good picture of what the apartment and the host are like. We will be using these type accommodation providers again without hesitation. (PS: on another note regarding rowdy parties, on our latest trip we stayed in a lovely old place in Varenna, Lake Como which was beautiful and peaceful, other than one night when a wedding in the 5 star hotel 2 doors up shattered the peace until 4am with a crowd of Poms / Irishmen very noisily celebrating all night)

I would argue the financial risk is higher dealing direct with VRBO owners vs Airbnb. Airbnb only works because of the trust of the 'middleman'. When you pay for an Airbnb the money gets held until 24 hours after check in and then the owner gets paid. This provides security that if you rock up and it isn't as advertised the owner hasn't got your cash.

 

[liamsal]

I've used it in several times Melbourne and Vancouver and it was great. Much cheaper than hotels and often the hosts leave food, wine etc for you to enjoy during the stay which is nice. I have apartments booked in San Fransisco and Toronto coming up later this month so hopefully it continues to please me.

 

[OzEire]

I would argue the financial risk is higher dealing direct with VRBO owners vs Airbnb. Airbnb only works because of the trust of the 'middleman'. When you pay for an Airbnb the money gets held until 24 hours after check in and then the owner gets paid. This provides security that if you rock up and it isn't as advertised the owner hasn't got your cash.

True, but if you rock up and it isn't as advertised, AirBNB has had your cash, possibly for months, and makes things very difficult to contact them, let alone get anything back.

I received a credit for a place I booked in Dublin, couldn't get in to the residential apartment building, standing outside freezing while the owners contact number went to voicemail (they live in Portugal). Eventually gave up and booked a last minute hotel. Couldn't contact AirBNB except via "feedback" and took some 4 months to get a voucher with 6 month expiry (not a refund).

And I am a host / advocate ! This response was a turning point and I am now unite wary of AirBNB and will never rely on it again - I still use it but only when I am sure this won't happen. Lots of contact with host before booking.

 

[Tonkatough]

Have done Airbnb for 1+ week stays in London, Boston, New York (twice), Copenhagen and country SA. All no problem. Did not know (at the time) it was illegal in NY, but still worked well!

Best to research extensively beforehand. As well as reviews, owner response times can be a good guide. Make very clear entry / exit arrangements and have an established mode of contact just in case. And for the first-timers, be prepared for a different 'feel' when you enter - it's someone's house usually with stuff around, not an empty hotel room. Also best to make absolutely sure you will have the place to yourself - occasionally it's a room only (not the whole place) or even a share.

 

[cove]

In Santa Monica California a landlord has lost the first case of letting a home for less than 30 days. Short term (less than 30 days) are against the law. It appears to have been a test case and the person who was prosecuted had 8 violations to answer in court.

 

[Antoallison]

I have used airbnb quite a bit over the last few years mostly in Oz - ( Melbourne, Brisbane ) and Singapore - all have been great, nice tidy places with my own bathroom and bedroom and hosts that usually provide me with maps, a bus pass, light breakfast and a welcoming cuppa. They suit me as I often travel alone - so find they are not impersonal like a hotel.

I have just booked airbnb in Washington -DC, New York and am about to look for somewhere in Santa Monica for a trip in August/September. I did note on one listing that looked very nice there was a hefty cleaning charge of $34, plus $48 in taxes (as the lady has registered the business with the LA council), and the airbnb cut of service charge of $42 on a bill for 3 nights = Total $445 AUD.

I have been lucky so far - but as other posters mention it is important to research and email contact the owner before pressing the instant book button.