Air BNB - thoughts and advice, please

Room in a home or a flat or house used for short term lets. It's not like traditional bed and breakfasts.

My granddaughter does this or hostels all the time when travelling and has had some nice BnB stays
I have never done it so can’t give any advice you just get use of the room or house but no food or extras…. simply the stay

We have used Airbnb twice - in Oxford and Brussells. Both worked very well. We had complete flats both times. Sometimes it can be just a room in someones house. No food involved.

It can be just a room in someone's home, and there are always details of whether you have access to a kitchen/ your own bathroom etc, or if meals can be provided. Or you may have exclusive access to a whole flat. There are many different options to choose from.

It can be a room and usually a bathroom in someone’s home usually with a separate entrance.

More often it’s a flat or house with just one or several bedrooms. Some people leave you basic breakfast items and there are usually coffee and tea available . I’ve had some nice bnbs look for good reviews and message with questions if you want to check things out.

I've used it a few times when I've not been able to get a hotel at a reasonable enough cost. I've been very careful about what I've booked and they've always been nice.

I did have one less than great experience. I booked, booking was confirmed and then the host changed her mind because she was going away. And then changed her mind back again, after I'd rebooked elsewhere (for a much higher cost). But she refunded my fee so...

As a single woman, I've only used a bedroom in someone's house. I would never book with a host that was a single man, only with a family, couple, single woman. I don't use their kitchen and stick to my room and the bathroom.

It's not my first choice though. Cleaning fees can be high (ridiculous! should be covered by the price). I prefer a hotel. More private and more anonymous.

I’ve used Airbnb a few times. One a self catering apartment and the other a lovely self catering cottage. It usually states clearly on the site if you have sole use of accommodation. I used it last year to book a 3 bedroom caravan in Northumberland with my 4 grandchildren and it was lovely.

I’d recommend you search the site with your preferences in mind. Eg an apartment in a city, a cottage in a village? You don’t need to share accommodation unless that’s your preference. It’s unusual for meals to be included but likely to have full cooking facilities as well as nearby restaurants.

I’ve seen lots of listings around the country suitable for solo travellers.

We've used several Airb&bs both in this country and abroad. Without exception they have all been exactly as described and we've been very happy. As a solo traveller I'd have no hesitation in using them, just check how they are rated before you book.

We've used it very frequently, as have other family members. You can choose when searching whether you want a room in someone's house or a place to yourself - we always choose a place to ourselves, usually an apartment. It's basically a way of booking self catering accommodation. Advantages are that you can arrive and leave any day and stay for as long or short as you want (usually min 2 nights). Not really worth it for very short stays as the cleaning fee is the same whatever the length.

We prefer self catering when travelling as OH likes to shop in local markets and cook, but eat out some of the time too. If staying for a week or longer, having a washing machine is handy- the website lists all the facilities.

In response to OP - food is not provided though sometimes a few basic items are there.

If you want to travel self catering, we've found AirBnb the best site, but always read reviews carefully.

I have used Airbnb for several years.. usually choose to have entire place to myself... it can work out quite cheap if you are going off season.. gives you the freedom to come and go as you please, try out local restaurants or buy at local food markets.
Just read all the reviews and do a search on google maps.
Never had any problems.

I've used Airbnb many times in UK and abroad, with family, with a partner and alone. I always book the entire apartment or flat, so I have sole use of the bathroom and kitchen. I've never been disappointed.

Weve used it loads... always for the entire property to ourselves....very niche accommodations....a lovely converted methodist Chapel in North Wales.....a wild and wonderful apartment off potabello Road....a barn conversion in Tenby......a shepherds hut near whitby lovely cottages in frome, the lakes and North yorkshire....I always go by the reviews when choosing

We always go for a ‘Superhost’ property when selecting.

We are just back from an Air BnB in St Andrew's. It was a self contained flat in a former hospital (I think). We were with DS and his family, who have stayed in this apartment a few times.
We had a great time, linen and bedding were provided and it was of a high standard.. Not cheap, but I would go back in a heartbeat.

In a few weeks we are off to a fisherman's cottage in the East Neuk of Fife, where we go every year. Once again of a high standard. We need to book it a year in advance.

Some air b&b accommodation is a room in a house. All the ones we've stayed in, have been standalone or self contained add-ons to properties. The majority of places we've stayed have been excellent, but we're very choosy. Most places have provided tea, coffee and cereal.

Such unfair competition for Hôtels and traditional B&Bs, however, that are already suffering after Covid and due to staff shortages.

This is helpful. Thank you.

Is the cleaning fee given in the listing?

Do you have to take towels?

So it seems not suitable really for say 2 nights only.

We stay in stand alone airbnb apartments, sometimes just for 2 or 3 nights. There is no food involved, though this might be different in someone's home. Linen and cleaning provided.

Fleurpepper

Such unfair competition for Hôtels and traditional B&Bs, however, that are already suffering after Covid and due to staff shortages.

Why is it unfair Fleurpepper? For some of us with health issues, a self contained venue is much more suitable.
It certainly is for me.

Our latest cleaning fee was included in the rental, but they list it for you to see.
For 2 nights it was £65.

Fennell

This is helpful. Thank you.

Is the cleaning fee given in the listing?

Do you have to take towels?

So it seems not suitable really for say 2 nights only.

You'll be able to see it on the listing. I've had towels provided when I've used Air BnB, but I'm not sure if it's standard?

I've used Air BnB only for short stays of 2 nights although would do so for longer if necessary.

I have been to various Airbnbs on my own, and the flexibility is very useful, e.g., you can book a couple of nights rather than the 3 or 4 night breaks offered by holiday companies.
Once you have your own account/profile, you can message the owner before going ahead with a booking. This is useful if you are not sure about the location.
Most hosts seem very generous with tea, coffee, cereals, snacks etc. Good luck!

I love Air BnB accommodation. I always get a self contained apartment or sometimes even a cottage. It states clearly in the listing if its self contained or not. Often they are next door to the hosts home. It gives you so much more freedom to come and go as you please and somewhere to relax and eat what you like, when you like! Takeaways or a simple home made meal. All the places I've stayed in have had well equipped kitchens and staple foods provided. (Tea, coffee, milk, biscuits, bread.) One place in the Netherlands had an entire kitchen cupboard full of food that people had left behind. Pasta, rice, tins, condiments etc! Most had washing machines and even dish washers! Almost always, bed linen and towels will be provided and also basic toiletries. The listing will tell you what is provided and what isn't. I would never go back to a B&B now, I like a bit of space!

I have heard awful things about some Airbnb places. And when I've looked, they are no cheaper than hotels. I'd rather go somewhere where breakfast is provided and I don't have to wash up, especially if it costs the same.

Come to think of it, AirBnB is a misnomer as they provide beds but not breakfast.

Having said that, my DS and family had a nice one for four weeks when they got back from the States until they found somewhere to live. It was during the pandemic and they were quarantining. We would visit them and take them their shopping and pick up and bring back washing for them. We deposited the boxes or bags at the gate and then stood back. It was hard to explain to the little ones that they couldn't come out and hug us. Sorry - that was off topic.