Air BNB - thoughts and advice, please

I’ve used Airbnb a few times always with great results. I’d never book just a room tho and have had lovely cottages and even a houseboat on the Thames.
Airbnb also do experiences which are worth a look. I’ve just done a three hour walking tour in Prague with them for about £25.

Yes Norah it was a home from home. We loved it.
But I do feel concerned about the effect on local housing, as Aveline says. Perhaps tighter controls are needed.

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.

I haven’t used AirBNB because I want the security that when I’ve booked the host won’t cancel, especially when travelling abroad. I also think the cleaning charges seem to be very high and negate any costs saved on the booking. I would also hate a room in someone’s house.
I’m willing to be proved wrong. My family use them all the time.

henetha

I rented an Airbnb a few months ago but it was a whole house.
Just like renting a cottage really. No one living there, no food provided (except they did leave us a nice loaf and some teabags and coffee). It was perfect.

Agreed.

A rented home. Place to privately spread out, cook, eat, enjoy.

I've used airbnb at home and abroad. Its ideal when travelling with my son. We have our own bedroom and bathroom but can relax and chat in the lounge, share a take away if we want. We usually just buy breakfast items and drinks and eat out the rest if the time. Much more sociable than having our own hotel rooms.

Wheniwasyourage

Fleurpepper

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

I agree with you, Fleurpepper, as hotels and normal B&Bs also have to have various licences, and that costs them money. Some of the flats used in places like Edinburgh have had guests who are noisy and disruptive to the rest of the tenement, and I don't know what you can do about that if the owner of the flat is not around, as a hotel manager would be.

In many towns, RbnB's are illegal sublets, not declared, not taxed. Many have a code to enter, and no staff or anyone present, and no checks or surveillance as to number of people arriving, parties, noise, etc.

Hosts are giving up because their profits will be down if they have to pay fair taxes, and proves that they are not illegally subletting, which is often the case. And with no staff around to deal with any issues, be it for the rentor, or neighbours. Stag dos with twice or more the number of people allowed, etc. and not declared and no taxes paid.

Wheniwasyourage

Fleurpepper

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

I agree with you, Fleurpepper, as hotels and normal B&Bs also have to have various licences, and that costs them money. Some of the flats used in places like Edinburgh have had guests who are noisy and disruptive to the rest of the tenement, and I don't know what you can do about that if the owner of the flat is not around, as a hotel manager would be.

Scotland is introducing licensing for all accommodation this summer. It is too strict and expensive so lots of hosts are giving up.

Fleurpepper

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

I agree with you, Fleurpepper, as hotels and normal B&Bs also have to have various licences, and that costs them money. Some of the flats used in places like Edinburgh have had guests who are noisy and disruptive to the rest of the tenement, and I don't know what you can do about that if the owner of the flat is not around, as a hotel manager would be.

We have rented a few AirBnB, mainly overseas and they have been lovely. We always go for completely self contained, I would hate to be in someone else's kitchen or bathroom, for this reason I avoid B & B accommodation. I like to be able to make myself a coffee when I feel like it, have a bottle of wine in the fridge. We don't usually cook though, just get breakfast stuff for the fridge, eat out most of the time, or go back to the apartment with a take away or something from M&S food hall

I rented an Airbnb a few months ago but it was a whole house.
Just like renting a cottage really. No one living there, no food provided (except they did leave us a nice loaf and some teabags and coffee). It was perfect.

I have stayed in Airbnb a few times. I always opt for self contained places as I don't want to share with people. I have stayed in some really nice places. They are always clean and have enough bedding and towels for your use. Some will supply coffee and tea, but you need to take anything else you think you will need.

I have found them cheaper than hotels and you have much more room to move around than just a hotel room.

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.

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 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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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