Air BNB - thoughts and advice, please

As I lone female traveller, I've used them a number of times in the UK. There was only 1 sub standard booking but I was fully refunded for that (and it wasn't dreadful either). Personally, I would always be looking for self contained accommodation and I really like the amount of information you get on Air BnB and how it all works.

We've done a couple of 'whole property' AirB&Bs which were good - we took supplies from home to do breakfast etc. I also did a small loft conversion stay in a house in Ireland with a lovely lady - I had a small sitting room and bedroom with en suite in their house and it worked well

We’ve used Airbnbs at home and abroad, all linen and towels have been included, one left us a welcome pack at no extra charge. All have been as described, but we took the precaution of checking that the property actually existed and had reviews online from other travellers.
We only had one problem, we could hear strange noises coming from the large adjoined garage, we called the owner who told us that his mother had moved out of the house and was living in the converted garage, whilst we were there.
It wasn’t that much of a problem, but we have asked more questions from the owners of potential holiday lets ever since.
Such as ‘ do we have sole use of the property, garage and gardens’.
We enjoy buying food from local markets and eating out so we rarely go to Hotels abroad.

PS I have never paid a cleaning fee price all in

I have stayed only two night no problems. Where I have stayed bedding towels and toiletries have always been provided

Our daughter now lives in USA and when we went to visit her for the first time we nervously booked an air Bnb. It proved to be perfect, just like renting a holiday cottage/flat etc. The host could not have been more helpful and it is now are “go to” site for self catering holidays. Like anything I am sure there are good and bad examples but our experience has been good

Completely with you on that. Questioned the double standards and unfair cost advantage that AirBnB therefore has and was told it’s because the accommodation is usually in someone’s home (or place where the owners stay) so if it’s good enough for them…. I would like to see regulation too.

I have stayed in several, either solo or with DH, but always a self- catering separate unit. Breakfast items supplied in one place, in others, just tea and coffee, biscuits, crisps, sometimes wine, juice.
I have not stayed in a room in someone’s house, they have all been units attached or adjacent to the owner’s home. Code to let yourself in is the norm, though the owners have sometimes been around to greet us or to have a chat on the first evening.

My daughter runs two holiday lets. Both are advertised on airbnb and elsewhere. I believe the service charge is imposed by the company. Cleaning may be included or a separate charge but it is clear before you book. On airbnb the details are very clear before you book, and the reviews and photos reveal more information. Go with a Superhost and you can’t go wrong.

I have stayed in several, in the UK and abroad, with DH and on my own, and never had a bad experience. Never stayed in someone's spare room - they have been apartments (Luxembourg City, Marseille, Naples and an upcoming one on Lake Garda) or separate dwellings (a converted summerhouse in the Cotswolds and a tiny house in Bath) and all immaculately clean, exactly as described and photographed with really friendly helpful owners or contacts. Beware of the review system however - 5 stars generally just means good - if you need to comment on anything negatively do so in the private feedback to the owner, otherwise it may get de-listed (unless it deserves to of course).

Never fancied staying in a room in someone's house unless I knew them. I am a very private person and like my own space. I prefer the anonymity of a hotel where you can come and go without any reference to anyone else.

The problem with being a solo traveller (if you use a package) is that you get rupped off for single supplements so you are subsididing other travellers. I have always travelled independently to non tourist destinations and just booked the first night at a hotel (via internet) so I have somewhere to sleep. After arrival I then bargain for a better room/rate and invariably get one. If the hotel has empty rooms they do not want you trolling next door. They want to keep your custom.

Mumi

AirBnB is not inspected or regulated so you do not get the same adherence to health and safety standards as you would with graded accommodation e.g. one property we stayed in had no carbon monoxide alarm. The host was lovely and the booking went smoothly apart from that. Towels, bed linen and some coffee pods/tea bags were supplied but I think it’s down to the individual.

I think it’s about time this industry was properly regulated, it shouldn’t be hit and miss, particularly with health and safety concerns.

We always use one marked Superhost . They rely on good feedback and do not want bad reviews . No problems so far and we are off to one in Wales on Friday.

I’ve used Airbnb lots of times both in the uk and abroad and have never had any problems. I always book an entire property and have stayed in some gorgeous villas, city apartments and an eco lodge on someone’s land . I’ve found the hosts to be really helpful and have come along at checkin to meet us There’s normally basics like tea coffee, sugar . Cleaning stuff . Some leave other visitors non perishable stuff like condiments, oil, vinegar. Our hosts have also been great at giving you info about the area .
Last year in Valencia our host let us check in early and checkout later , which fitted in with our flights and a hotel wouldn’t have done without a charge .

I’ve had several stays in AirBnbs and had good experiences, though one had dreadfully uncomfortable beds. Most have been self-contained though I did have a room in a flat with a single male owner. However he was a policeman who was either working or at his girlfriend’s most of the time I was there so no problem. My room had its own bathroom so there was no awkwardness.

AirBnB is not inspected or regulated so you do not get the same adherence to health and safety standards as you would with graded accommodation e.g. one property we stayed in had no carbon monoxide alarm. The host was lovely and the booking went smoothly apart from that. Towels, bed linen and some coffee pods/tea bags were supplied but I think it’s down to the individual.

We dis overed that the last couple of self catering properties we have used have also been listed on air bnb. They were just typical self catering g holiday lets- we had used a traditional agency so knew exactly what we were getting. I think the only difference being that people.cpuld just book odd nights on air bnb. I didn't compare prices as it was hard to do so as in both cases we booked late and had a decent discount via the agency (on fact without it they were above our price range)

We've had some lovely self catering stays, I just can't get out of the habit of sweeping/mopping/stripping beds/cleaning the kitchen etc,even though the cleaning fees are included.
My son is currently staying in one now( a room in someones cottage), he was given a full (vegan) cooked breakfast this morning

Mine have been all lovely experiences in various parts of England and Scotland. 5 in total. I’ve stayed in villages and country locations all with sole us of the property and and key box entry on arrival. Hosts were great with communication during booking and texted during my stay to check all was well. All had very generous welcome packs, lovely bedlinen and towels, full equipped kitchen etc. I’m hoping to book again with my 4 grandchildren in the summer.

However, a city stay in a flat doesn’t appeal to me and I do feel for any residents in a block of flats with an Airbnb in the building. My friend stays in a 3 storey high block of flats and her downstairs neighbour moved out and let out her flat. After many months of the usual stags/hens/families with excited children running around it became noticeable that it was strangely different men coming and going all day and night. One of the neighbours tipped off the police and they quickly discovered that it had been taken as a long rental and was being used as a brothel !

Tried to book an Airbnb recently (first time ever) but the company wanted a lot of security information about my identity. In the end I gave up & booked the same property on another - more helpful - property website.

Yes, several times- just a code on the door and no-one to hand. In Austria, a code for the box to get the key, code didnt' work as was poorly reset. Phoned the owner who was in ... Albania. He sent his cleaning lady, had to wait over 1 hour on doorstep- then got got the key, but it was bent and could not open the door. Had to call the guy again... in Albania, so he could end someone with another key. Apartment was nice enough- but not on. Same in Innsbruck- no-one there- just a box on the wall with code sent the day before. No info on the town- no info about restaurants, places to eat, etc. We were marrooned at 7pm, and had to call a taxi, having arrived by taxi- to take us to town and back again. We found out about places to eat in the vicinity, the ... next day. Another place had bathroom and toilet shared with my big brother, next to our room. We had specifically asked for second toilet independent from our bedroom! Brother had to creep into our bedroom 3 times during the night!

If you’re a solo female traveller then I’d highly recommend Women Welcome Women Worldwide (5W). It’s been going for about 40 years and is a world wide reciprocal hosting organisation. Have a look at their website. I’ve hosted, and been hosted by, some really lovely people and have had ‘insider’ information on the places I’ve visited. No pressure to host if you haven’t got the space, you can always just be a day hostess and meet up with people visiting your area.

Aveline

Airbnb is very unpopular here. It's consumed the available homes for people who need to live and work in Edinburgh. People unlucky enough to have Airbnb flats in their block are at their wits end by antisocial behaviour by the people renting them. Unscrupulous landlords buy many flats and let them out to tourists. This wasn't the original aim of Airbnb which was to rent out rooms in people's homes. Now they are businesses and quite rightly should be subject to scrutiny and taxation like all the other hospitality providers.

Same with towns all over the world.

I have used Airbnb several times with varying results. I think because I am a solo traveler I don’t feel I am treated like a couple eg I arrived at StAndrews and the owner told be as she had a couple arriving the following day and had made up the double bed, she was putting me in a single room for the night. Ok but the single bed must have been used for many years before their child left home, it was awful and I was charged the same as the double room. However, that being said, I also have a battle with hotels, being given windowless rooms or ones in the basement with a small top windows. There is no choice as all is booked up nearby.

We had a couple of OK stays in one in Brussels but it was to say the least quirky! Had 2 disappointing stays in Los Angeles and Venice Beach due to them being illegal subletting. Lots of issues getting into the properties not clean and difficult in getting in touch with the hosts to resolve the issues. This put me off them.

Many are now self contained cottages or conversions and are extremely well equipped and entirely private. We have had some wonderful places and if you like self catering, they are ideal. We have 3 booked this year all in UK. Have also found them much cheaper than hotels, even chain hotels and you usually get large living/kitchen area, bedroom, bathroom outside seating area.