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)