One of the greatest improvements to travel in recent years has been the rise of Airbnb. Pronounced “air b and b,” this company allows travelers to stay in private homes, apartments and rooms around the world rather than traditional hotel rooms. Not only is the cost often less, it also provides a more unique and special way to visit a location. Over the last several years, my husband Thom and I have enjoyed staying at a variety of Airbnb properties. So I thought it might be valuable to share some of our experiences to help explain how it works, and why it is SMART to consider using it in the future.
Our first Airbnb stay was by default. A couple of years ago I bought tickets to see The Lion King at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. Then I started looking for a hotel room. Unfortunately, all of the acceptable hotels in the area started at a shocking $300 to $400 per night. Even worse, they all charged extra for wifi and another $40 to $50 to park the car. That’s when I started looking into Airbnb.
Fortunately, I found a young man named Dan who lived in a very conveniently located upscale condo project within walking distance to the theater. Dan, a real estate attorney by day, and a bartender by night, rents out his master bedroom with private bath in his two-bedroom apartment, through Airbnb. Not only was the price a bargain at just over $100 per night, it included free parking, wifi, and a patio view of the famous Hollywood Sign right out the bedroom window.
Of course, what also made our first stay in a stranger’s master bedroom work so well were the reviews provided by Airbnb. When you go to the website, you can see photos of the property in advance and even more importantly, read reviews from other people who have stayed at the property before you. Beyond that, there is also a brief bio of the “host” to give you an idea of what kind of person owns the property where you hope to stay. Dan’s master bedroom showed attractive photos and positive reviews. We happily added ours to his list following our stay.
Since then, we have rented two different homes for a month each during the last two summers. Again, both homes had great photos, detailed reviews, and bios for the homeowner. In both cases, we walked away big fans of Airbnb. Then during the early part of September, Thom and I took a road trip to Northern California. During our travels, we stayed at four different Airbnb properties. Each offered distinctive and unique accommodations in their own way.
Four Recent Stays:
1) Cambria, Ca. One thing I’ve learned is that the further out you can book your stay the better. That’s because the best places get reserved far in advance. With Cambria, we were fortunate that school was back in session so even though it is still a very popular location we were able to snag a great property.
When given a choice Thom and I prefer to stay in a private apartment or home rather than just renting a room. That is always an option you can choose when searching for properties on the Airbnb website. In Cambria, we stayed in a one-bedroom apartment with a small downstairs and a bedroom and bath upstairs. The hostess met us upon arrival and provided a welcoming glass of wine and snacks. Like most Airbnb hosts, she also provided local information about good places to eat and things to do.
We stayed for two nights in this private apartment, and the total room cost was just under $300. Overall, I would rate the stay a 7 out of 10.
2) Sonoma, CA. Our first visit to the Napa/Sonoma wine country led to our staying in a quiet
mother-in-law studio apartment on the edge of town situated on 8 acres of land. Nearby sat the main house, several artist’s studios, a chicken coup, garden and lovely grounds.
Our hostess at this property provided us with welcoming snacks and gave us coffee and croissants for breakfast. The queen bed was the most comfortable bed of the entire trip. My only complaint was the lack of windows making the property too dark for my taste. A three-night stay cost just over $550. Hotels in the area routinely cost far more. This stay also earned a 7 out of 10.
3) Sacramento, CA. Here we stayed in a small stand-alone house in a great location just east of downtown in the area called midtown. This residential and attractive neighborhood featured tree lined streets, restaurants of every type within a short distance, and a tasty coffee house just down the street.
Our accommodation was a small one bedroom home built in 1924. We never did meet the hostess but gained access using a lock box. Amenities included a full kitchen, upgraded bathroom, and a koi pond out back with instructions to feed the fish twice a day.
The cost? We paid just under $325 for both nights total and rated the place an 8.
4) Stockton, CA—The Sacramento Delta. Stockton? You might wonder why anyone would stay in Stockton. But that would be before
you saw the two-bedroom/two-bath luxury yacht on the Delta that we made our home for two nights.
Parked in a marina that led to the Sacramento River and various lakes and waterways, we were able to imagine life on a houseboat. The yacht featured every amenity like a refrigerator, stove, coffee maker, ice machine, full stereo system, TV and air conditioning. The large master suite (with private shower and tub) had a queen size bed. The second bedroom had two twins.
The price for both nights was a little more than $350, and we rated this unique stay at an 8.5.
The Downside?
Our only bad experience on Airbnb was our fault. When visiting my sister in Colorado last spring, we picked a property near where she lives. The photos and description looked good although we could see it was a walkout basement apartment. Unfortunately, it never occurred to us that with children living in the home above us, the noise would be a problem. After hearing two toddlers run up and down the length of the house above us for three days, I was cranky. But like I said, the fault was mine for not reading the description more carefully and thinking it through.
Renting Tips For Airbnb
- Read the property description carefully. We will never again rent a basement or lower-level dwelling.
- Look at all the photos carefully. If the photos aren’t clear or don’t show certain areas of the property, there could be a problem. You can always send a message to your host in advance asking questions. Don’t be shy.
- Location is important. While a good location might cost a bit more it nearly always improves the stay.
- Nearly every rental includes a cleaning fee added to the cost of your stay, so staying longer spreads that cost out. One night can be much more expensive, so for cost comparison, a hotel room might be better.
- Read the reviews and read between the lines. Most reviews are complementary because not only do visitors review the property after their stay, the property owner then reviews every guest as well. Try to read between the lines of the reviews and you’ll get a good view of what to expect both from the property and the host.
- Being cool when it’s hot out is critical to me—especially at night. I nearly always make sure there is air conditioning. Never assume A/C is included. Ask.
- If you’re like me, you love having a kitchen or kitchenette so you can make morning coffee while waking up. It also allows for small meals so you don’t have to eat out all the time, which can save you a lot of money, not to mention calories!
- Don’t be afraid to negotiate. When staying for just a night or two the asking rate is what you will pay along with cleaning fees and the Airbnb percentage. But when staying longer, like several weeks or a month it is possible to negotiate. Don’t be afraid to ask.
- In most cases, a strict cancellation fee makes canceling difficult and costly. When you reserve a room on Airbnb, the cost is charged immediately to your credit card and then the host only receives the money once you check in for your stay. Always look at the cancellation fee in advance and don’t reserve until you are sure you are going.
- Some properties accept pets but check if there is an additional charge for the service.
- While some hosts offer snacks or even breakfast of a sort, it is not required. Check or plan ahead.
- Keep in mind that you are staying in someone’s home or property. In many cases, it is their personal home or second home and taking care of things, cleaning up after yourself and being considerate are all part of the deal. Oh, and you have to make your own bed!
- Always leave a review. Renters rely on reviews to know what to expect so do your part. And remember, you will also be reviewed as a renter, so make sure you are a worthy visitor.
- Be flexible. Remember you are staying in someone’s home or property and stuff happens. When we arrived at our yacht rental, we learned from our hostess that her brother-in-law had died the day before! When we were unable to connect to the wifi we didn’t even bother to let her know. Fortunately, a neighbor hooked us up with another wifi link and it all worked out.
As you can probably tell, I am a big fan of Airbnb and look forward to using them again many times in the future. Have you used Airbnb yourself? If yes, please share your experience in the comments below. And if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer.
By the way, this is NOT a sponsored post, so I did not receive any money for this review. However, Airbnb does offer a credit to new users AND to me for referring anyone if you sign up by clicking on the link below and opening an account. Thank you in advance if that works for you, and please let me know how your stay goes in the future! Until I experience otherwise, I think it’s SMART to consider using Airbnb any time you travel.
Great article! my husband and I are avid Airbnb’ers beginning in 2013 for our honeymoon in Granada, Spain. We’ve learned a lot over the last 4 years and have only had a few hiccups with the places we’ve rented. None of these were catastrophic and it only made us more diligent about reading the fine print of a description.
Last Sept we traveled for 2 weeks with our 1 year old son from Tuscany down to Sorrento Italy and Airbnb’d it most of the time. The one B&B we stayed in – we ended up kicking ourselves for NOT Airbnb’ing it (we stayed an agriturismo/working b&b in wine country) and it just wasn’t the same. Airbnb has turned us into more savvy, confident travelers and we cherish the memories we’ve made renting through Airbnb. Thanks for your honest article!
Hi Greer! Thank you so much for adding your experience to this post. I so agree that using Airbnb can make you more savvy, confident travelers. And I’d agree that the memories I have of the homes/apartments we’ve stayed in are nearly always stronger than a mere hotel or even a B & B. Of course, we did just try and experience of home-exchange and my post about how that went will go live tomorrow (Friday.) Have you ever done one? If you’re interested, check it out. Thanks again for your comment. ~Kathy
I’m really glad I found your article because next summer I’m planning on escaping to the coast and it looks like Airbnb might be the perfect choice!
The temperatures hit triple digits where I’m at now. I’m just not used to that kind of heat since I’m a former Southern California coaster.
Do you know, is it less expensive to book a longer stretch of time or does make a difference?
Hi Meredith! It sounds like you should definitely check out Airbnb. And to answer your question, yes, most of the time it is less expensive to rent for longer times because most “hosts” will offer a discount for it. If you go to the site and check properties, check to see if discounts are offered. AND don’t be afraid to message the host and ask. Good luck! ~Kathy
I recently stayed in an Airbnb site in Portugal’s Algarve district with my friends and would highly recommend it. It was my first experience with Airbnb and was very positive. The site offered a neighborhood experience within a block of the main attractions. There was a very good match between the site and what was advertised. A property manager met us at a designated meeting place, settled us into the home, and gave us a walking tour of the area complete with recommendations for sites to see and restaurants. He also checked in with us once during the one week stay and again upon check-out. We had his contact number and work location should we have needed him at any time. The home had a roof-top terrace with a sea view – we enjoyed many slow mornings over coffee and breakfast in our pyjamas and many end-of-day happy hours up there. Part of experiencing a location’s culture is going to the market for food.
There was a minimum stay at this location and that would be something to be mindful of when booking Airbnb. There was no cleaning fee added to the cost at this venue. Parking was provided. The host was very open to any questions.
Hi Mona! Thank you so much for sharing your personal experience of Airbnb with all of us. I haven’t yet used it internationally (only VRBO & Homestay) but I will definitely be checking it out next time we travel. I so agree that one of the best things about it is the “neighborhood experience” that is so different when you stay in a hotel. And thanks for pointing out that many of them have a minimum stay length so that is always good to check. And if you are going to rent a car or drive your car it is always good to check about the parking. So glad to hear your experiences have been good. ~Kathy
We have never done AirBnB. But, speak about trying it often. I have printed your tips so that I can save them when we are ready to give it a try!
We have never used AirBnb but increasingly, we are discouraged by the price of motels. For example, I used to have people to stay with in New York City but I no longer do, and I would need a bank loan to take a vacation there! I enjoyed reading some of the commenters on your blog. One thing I will have to look carefully at, though, are cancellation fees. My mother in law, who lives 2 miles from us, is in her late 80’s and has medical issues. Last year was not a good one. This year is better, but if something comes up we may have to cut a stay short (or cancel out) and I need that flexibility. So, at least, now I have a much better idea of alternatives and can go from there.
Hi Alana! Yes you do have to consider your unique circumstances before trying it out. But it will definitely help to save you money if you are more interested in location than amenities. While they do offer lots of high-end properties. We tend to go for a more moderate version. You could always try it for last minute travel, that way you wouldn’t be out if you needed to be close to your mom. Meanwhile, it doesn’t cost a thing to just go to the site and plug in locations and dates to see what’s available. I’d rather surf travel sites and dream than watch crappy tv any day! Let me know if you do try it. And thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. ~Kathy
We are big fans of AirBnB too… used it in Venice and Florence last year, stayed in NYC and could afford Broadway shows, etc. Great tips.
Hi Stephanie! Thanks for sharing your experiences. And yes, isn’t it nice to stay in such close-in locations AND then still have money to do other things too? ~Kathy
I’m married to someone who is firmly committed to the hotel life 🙂 but I do think it’s time I break away and force us to at least give Airbnb a shot. I’m sending him your post…
Hi Carla! You might want to show him some of the photos on Airbnb next time you are thinking of a trip. I get that hotels are sometimes the best alternative, but Airbnb sure makes the trip stand out and be special. I hardly ever remember the hotels I’ve stayed in but I remember every single Airbnb. If you ever do convince him, let me know how it goes. ~Kathy
I have wanted to give AirBandB a try and felt reluctant–this was the nudge. I have signed up, so we both get a credit! Thanks….
Hi Walker! Thank you so much…you KNOW I will put the credit to good use. And I think it is a great way for you and others to experience Airbnb for the first time too. Probably won’t work that great when you are speaking at conferences, but if you have a few extra days in a location it is an excellent way to get a feel for different areas of the world. Let me know your thoughts after your first visit. ~Kathy
Excellent information, but I haven’t experience such a travel in these beautiful places to tell you any thing about it. You can pay more less when visit my country than those Airbnb.
Hope to see you once here too.
Amin
Hey, Kathy, so good to read about your experiences. You are so right about being able to experience local neighborhood flavor. Loved the house in midtown and it was fantastic meeting you and Thom for dinner so close the that area. These are great tips and we are very motivated to give it a try soon! I assume you are back to normal and hope your Northern Cal experience was everything you expected 🙂
Hi Terri! Yes I we did have a wonderful trip and it just added to it to be able to have dinner with you and Hans. It was a great little house in Sacramento and helped us to have a wonderful impression of your city. Thank YOU again for filling in with your blog post while I was out of traveling! ~Kathy
I found that it’s a great way to travel. I’ve done Newport Beach, CA; Naples, FL, Lancaster, PA; Spring Lake NJ; and a few others. But you are right — read carefully and check everything out. My only issue was once when they said (or so I thought) there was a private bath, then found out I had to share with twow other people. I hadn’t read the fine print . . . and I like my own bathroom.
Hi Tom! Thank you for sharing your Airbnb experiences with us. I’m assuming you like them overall—BUT I can’t imagine having to find out sharing a bathroom with complete strangers. That would never work for me!!!! It’s a good reminder to be extra careful when reading the description. And again, never be afraid to ask the host before reserving your room if there is anything in doubt. ~Kathy
I’m writing this from an Airbnb apartment in northern Colorado. We’ve used Airbnb and VRBO and really don’t prefer one over the other. Our first Airbnb experience was pretty awful. The room was in a house close to our friends in Portland, OR. Turns out it was next to the freeway, the bathroom had no curtains and wasn’t clean and the house smelled moldy, giving me a headache. We stayed one awful night, then contacted Airbnb and left. We tried again in Boise, and it was wonderful. We never met the hosts, but the place was great with so many amenities not even listed. One awesome VRBO place in Victoria, BC, had fresh, homemade scones and homemade jam along with coffee, juice and fruit waiting for us.
Hi Sheila! What a coincidence! I’m assuming your current Airbnb is going well but so sorry to hear that your first was so bad. Good for you for taking matters into your hands and contacting Airbnb to get out of the place. I’ve heard that can be very helpful, especially if the listing was misleading or has something else seriously wrong with it. And yes, VRBO can be great too. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. ~Kathy
Highly recommend staying in an Airbnb property, but as you mentioned in your article be sure to do the research and ask lots of questions.
I just stayed in a top floor suite in Ithaca, NY on my way to visit my son in Rochester, NY. I travel alone now, so having a hostess on property is good as I can get a lot of good information about the area. My location was very close to downtown Ithaca, in a quiet, safe neighborhood and the top floor had a living room with wi-fi, tv, small fridge, dishes, utensils, coffee and hot water maker, and a basket filled with apples, candy and snack bars. In the fridge was water and half and half. There were toiletries in the bathroom if I had forgotten something including a hair dryer. My bed was comfy (memory foam) and was in a separate room. My hostess was available to me if needed but after my first meeting with her, I didn’t need to contact her.
A couple of months ago, I stayed in a in-law suite in West Chester, PA. In a very residential area, the in-law suite was designed by the husband who is an architect. A private entrance was attached to the residence in the back of the house with views of a beautiful garden. My car broke down the day before I was to leave to go home and my hostess went above and beyond to help me with my dilemma. She was in constant contact with me and gave me suggestions of places I could get my car repair and offered to pick me up until my car was fixed. I stayed with the car until it was fixed and when I got back to her home, she checked in again to see if there was anything I needed and invited me to join her family on a trip to Longwood Gardens which is where I was headed when my car broke down. I politely declined since I was very tired and was heading back to my home the next day.
Airbnb is definitely a place I check now when traveling, but it depends on where I am going and for how long. I will still use hotels but it’s nice to know that there are more choices for us single travelers.
Hi Janet! Thank you so much for sharing your good experiences with us all. I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant about recommending it to others who travel alone but your experiences show why it can be good for exactly that reason. I agree that all of the hosts we have had have been wonderful people and very helpful. There have been a couple where we have just texted, emailed and called beforehand so they aren’t all chummy. Again, I think by reading the reviews you can get an idea of the hosts in advance. One of the hostess on the current trip was a little TOO talkative in my opinion, but Thom thought she was sweet and just being careful. You never know. But isn’t it nice to have choices like you said? ~Kathy
We love Airbnb! When we’re not staying with friends or family, that is our first go-to. We’ve been able to find a nice studio apartment with views of cathedral domes in Cuenca for $560 a month, and will be staying in Chiang Mai, Thailand for a month this Fall at about $500. I read reviews thoroughly and ask the host questions about their internet, laundry, etc. to make sure it will work for us (and to make sure the host is responsive). My dream is to do a half-year trip partially sponsored by Airbnb. 🙂
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for sharing your ample experience with all of us. I haven’t used it internationally yet. But I have used VRBO a great deal in our travels and I agree that there is no better way to experience a location. You’re right about being very thorough about asking questions as a good way to avoid surprises. Good luck on your sponsorship. You guys would be GREAT! ~Kathy
My husband and I used Airbnb for the first time on a recent trip to the northeastern US/eastern Canada. We stayed in seven different places and would rate six of them as great. The one we were disappointed in was situated on a very busy street, had poor light control (very sheer curtains in the bedroom), and had scary electrical connections (it was an old house with old wiring and too many things plugged in). When writing our review of the accommodations, we felt that we should tread lightly. The host was very nice and accommodating but we wanted to be honest about our experience. It’s tough to do. But, bottom line, we agree with your assessment of Aiabnb in general and will definitely use it in the future. The places you stayed at look great (and I may ask you for more info about them in the future).
Hi Janis! Good for you for giving it a try. And 6 out of 7 is pretty good. I don’t know about you but I’ve stayed at some nice hotels and been disappointed one way or another–especially with noise. And yes, leaving an honest review can be a bit tricky. But with my stay in Colorado I felt I HAD to be honest to fellow travelers so I did say that the noise would not appeal to anyone who liked quiet OR sleeping in in the morning. As you know, your review to the host is available until after they review you, so that does give you some freedom to be honest. The host actually sent me as message after my review was posted on her page and she wasn’t happy saying I should have told her the kids were making too much noise. Poor thing, she must be hard of hearing herself not to know that in advance! Either way, I’ve staying in hotels that were VERY noisy and not been able to do anything about it so it is all part of travel right. And please, let me know if I can ever help. ~Kathy
Fun and informative, thanks for that! We’ve never done Airbnb as we often use the point system with Marriott and Hyatt. But it’s always interested me. Perhaps one day. Imperative to this would be your ability to go with the flow. Always a pleasure, Kathy!
Hi Tammy! I’m sure with all the travel you do that you have tons of points so that is the best way to go. Plus, if you’re on business and/or traveling alone it just makes sense to be in a more public location. But next time you and Steven travel anywhere just for fun you ought to give it a try. There are some amazing properties out there in locations all over the world. I think you would love it. ~Kathy
OMG, I LOVE AirBnb. It has been a lifesaver so many times. The only thing I’ve started to look out for is when hosts have auto-responder reviews saying “the host cancelled this booking 3 days prior to the reservation” (or 4 days or 2 days or whatever). This is a red flag to me, especially in places like LA where I think people are looking for longer-term occupants, so if someone wants the space for a month, and you’re booked for 2 days, they can cancel your reservation. But all in all, my experience has been great, and I love being able to get full apartments with kitchens for less than a hotel room (in some markets).
Hi Laura! Yes I’ve seen that comment myself and wondered about it–definitely something else to consider. Who wants to have their reservation cancelled at the last minute. I think I read somewhere that a host can only do that for no reason (or no legitimate reason) three times or they will be kicked out of the system. I really don’t know if that’s true but it would keep people from “shopping” renters for sure. Fortunately, I’ve never had it happen to us in the 10 times we’ve used them. And yes…having space instead of fitting into a hotel room is always a plus. And free wifi too. It makes me crazy when staying in an upscale hotel and having to pay $15 a day for wifi! Thanks for sharing your experiences. ~Kathy
Good to know these tips, Kathy. Thanks for sharing. We looked into VRBO last year for a winter getaway but it never transpired. I will check airbnb out.
B
Hi Barbara! Truth be told I usually check both of them out just because I like to see if I missed any properties that are either more fun or a better price. I don’t think of myself as a shopper but when it comes to travel I love to shop locations! Give it a try and let me know what you think. ~Kathy
Thanks for the tips Kathy. I have been hesitant to use them. I am usually gone for one or two nights so when I did consider, it never penciled out to be a better value.
Hi Haralee! You’re welcome. I doubt they’d work as well for business trips but for more leisurely “slow travel” they are wonderful. I also suppose it depends on whether there are two of you traveling or not. I don’t think I would likely stay in a home (just renting a room) if I was traveling alone. But most of the time the person I deal with when renting is a woman so that might not be a problem either as long as you read the reviews beforehand and even emailed back and forth a few times. Safety is good but there can be problems with hotels if you’re not watchful either so it likely isn’t much difference. Let me know if you decide to give it a try. ~Kathy
HI Kathy ? ??? I read your BLOG often and always enjoy it …. I am happy to see you informing your readers about vacation home rentals …. my husband and I own one in downtown Colorado Springs however we chose to rent our charming three bedroom home through Home Away and VRBO (vacation rental by owner) ….. We have been traditional landlords for years but I have been running our VRBO for (almost) two years and I am having the time of my life …. We meet wonderful people from all over (I could tell you stories for days and they would all be good ones) …. I do the on-line renting and stay in contact with my Guests from the first inquiry through check-out day and beyond … I also do the cleaning after each Guest checks-out … I tried hiring a housekeeper but No one else loves the amazing little Cottage like I do so it works better for me to do the cleaning … AND the bonus is a little extra income to go along with our Social Security. My husband does all of the yard work and landscaping and we have an absolutely lovely privacy fenced yard (yes,we accept dogs 🙂 and patio for some great “hang-out-and-grill-burgers” after a full day of being in Colorado. When you have a minute, check my Vacation Cittage out at:
VRBO.com/664086 and please take an extra minute to read a few of our wonderful five-star reviews …..and if you are ever coming to Colorado Springs …. give us a try. vickie ?
Hi Vickie! Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I too have used VRBO and Homeaway, but like I told Mary in her comment the best reason I like Airbnb is because of the opportunity to put the fee or deposit on a credit card. I’ve sent checks to strangers in other countries and not had a problem, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t concerned! Still, the idea of VRBO and Airbnb are similar in that they allow you to stay in wonderful places you’d never ever get to experience otherwise. It sounds like your place in Colorado Springs is wonderful. If we do visit I will definitely give it a try. BTW….did you know that Thom and I met and lived in Colorado Springs years ago for about 6 years? We lived on the westside and first got started in real estate there owning rentals and flipping property. We also had a business in Old Colorado City. We have very fond memories of your city so it might turn out we visit–and we could even bring Kloe. Thanks for checking in! ~Kathy
Thanks for the great information, Kathy. My husband and I used Airbnb for the first time just last week. Our experience was fine, but we felt that the amenities were exacerbated. A two foot wide balcony overlooking a busy street and furnished with two rusty chairs and round table didn’t fit the description of a lovely sunny balcony in the heart of the city in our minds. However the bed was comfortable and the apartment was clean. Like you, I also enjoyed being able to brew my tea in the morning, and the price was much better than hotels in the area.
I would do it again, but I would scour the pictures more carefully!
Hi Nora! Good for you for giving it a try. Yes you do have to read carefully with everyone trying their best to “sell” their property over others. As I mentioned, being flexible is a big plus. We usually go for the best location possible and then stay less picky about some of the amenities. Plus, one of our hosts told that they purposely keep their prices more moderate because the more she charged, the pickier people seemed to be. Glad to hear that overall your stay was better than a hotel. That makes it worthwhile in my opinion! Thanks for sharing your experience. ~Kathy
I have been an Airbnb host for the past 3 1/2 years. I cannot say enough good things about Airbnb. In addition to earning additional income, I have met wonderful people from around the world. I especially enjoy hearing their stories and learning about where they live. As a traveler, I only stay in Airbnb homes. I read the reviews carefully and ask questions in advance if there is something I am unsure of. Airbnb is about much more than having a place to stay. It is a community. It is about friendship.
Hi Lynda! Thank you so much for adding your perspective as a host. Thom and I have finally agreed to try that ourselves. We fortunately live in a very touristy area with a couple of popular and world-famous events that occur here several times every year. So we will be trying it out next month over two different weekends. Because of the demand for rentals during the coming events we are able to charge enough to make it worth the trouble and a big benefit. I will probably write a blog post about it when we do and might want to hear thoughts from others. Would you be available for me to email you and ask a few questions to include? Hope so. I think that others might be interested. ~Kathy
Great info! Both of our kids have had good luck with Air BnB – We have not yet used it. We still have a lot of hotel points, so when they run out we will try it! I really liked how you showed us photos of each of the locations!
Hi Suzanne! Oh you really need to try it out for yourself because I think you would appreciate what unique experiences they provide. You can stay in amazing and large homes, or modest cottages, it really depends on your needs or desires. Prices are all over the map as well. The very best thing is the fact that you are staying in a home, and in most cases a neighborhood, so you have the opportunity to experience what locals receive from where they live. And like others have said, you do meet some wonderful people as well. I’m sure your blog readers would appreciate hearing your thoughts on them as well. ~Kathy
We have stayed in a number of airbnb’s and always had positive experiences. We like to rent places with some kind of kitchen facilities so we do not have to eat every meal out. Airbnb’s, as opposed to most hotel rooms, usually have a place to relax, maybe watch TV, read, etc. – more like home. And the variety of places is an additional plus.
Hi Meryl! Thanks for sharing your experiences with all of us. It sounds like you are a lot like us and find that it is so much more rewarding to stay in an airbnb rather than a hotel room. Everytime I’m required for whatever reason, hotels always seem so much alike. With airbnb every single one is different and usually much larger with far more amenities. And yes, “more like a home” so that it helps us feel like we really experience a location rather than just passing through. ~Kathy
What great info, Kathy. Of course, all I know of this is from the news reporting horrors–on both the owners’ and vacationers’ sides of things. Good to know this has such an upside! Looks like y’all had the best time!
Hi Susan! I know there are a few horror stories about Airbnb floating around out there but honestly, I think it is like most news we hear–if it bleeds it leads! There are thousands of positive stories about people staying in really cool and unique properties at good prices but we don’t hear about them unless something goes bad. Staying in an Airbnb actually makes the “stay” even more unique and special if that’s what you like–so don’t be afraid to give it a try. (and yes we had FUN!) ~Kathy
We have used VRBO and Homeaway for years all over the US and Europe for years. We like staying in a separate place rather than sharing space. One really unpleasant experience involved no air conditioning, and a shared outside space that included a 5 year old girl who harassed our 3 year old grandson. Other than that we have had great experiences like a marvelous studio apartment in Chicago.
Hi Mary! Welcome to SMART Living and sharing your thoughts on this. I too used VRBO and Homeaway in the past and had mostly good experiences with them. Sometimes they come in a bit cheaper beause there is no added cleaning fee (if it is it is usually included in the overall fee) and no separate fee. BUT, I really like being able to use a credit card to reserve the room. I have sent complete strangers a deposit check before and although I never once had a bad experience, it does tend to be a bit nerve racking! Glad to hear yours have been mostly positive too. And even thought the A/C or noise can be a problem, it can also be a problem in hotels I’ve stayed in. Sometimes stuff just happens right? Thanks again for sharing your thoughts. ~Kathy