I've used Airbnb 5 times, all of the accommodation was good, and in principle, I prefer the flexibility of apartments.
The only problem I had was that on two occasions, the owner cancelled the booking, leaving me in the lurch trying to find alternative places. Once Airbnb paid some compensation, and the other time I chose a hotel as I was so pissed off. As Airbnb is effectively a broker, they have little influence if an owner wants to change or cancel a booking.
I've used it once to stay one night in Bath during the Christmas market to visit my sister who had a stall there.
Yuck. I had this lady's downstairs bedroom. It was very last minute and I really wanted to go. Her house was horrible and cold. Tip toeing out to use loo. Two other couples in the other bedrooms. Never again. Would use it if I hired the whole house. But never share again.
I've used Airbnb 5 times, all of the accommodation was good, and in principle, I prefer the flexibility of apartments.
The only problem I had was that on two occasions, the owner cancelled the booking, leaving me in the lurch trying to find alternative places. Once Airbnb paid some compensation, and the other time I chose a hotel as I was so pissed off. As Airbnb is effectively a broker, they have little influence if an owner wants to change or cancel a booking.
I tried you left the owners some suitable feedback.
Used it in France and US. Two out of three times the cleanliness left a bit to be desired -more like staying at a mate's place than a hotel in that way. Certainly won't look under the bed again in a hurry! Also not really that cheap - yes, less than a hotel but considering many hosts avoid tax / VAT, financially they tend to do much better out of it than the guests.
Friends run one down here in Hastings Old Town. They seem to be doing very well, basically you get one or two bedrooms and a bathroom, one room is 65 pound per night the other 50 pound. I did look them up on the airbnb website and had a look at the reviews they had received...all of them were positive. The very first customers they had have become good friends with us (and them) since moving down from London.
At the moment Airbnb is an excellent option. I used it to rent a villa in Bali, I've booked an apartment in Kuala Lumpur in a couple of weeks time and for Japan, where hotel prices are ridiculous, it offers a good alternative.
It may change; many Governments are watching sites such as Airbnb and Expedia's Homeaway very closely as many of the renters do not pay tax, are not legally registered to provide short term accommodation, do not report guests to the relevant authorities and are therefore in breach of local laws. Apartments and condominiums that rent through Airbnb are often in breach of the terms of their lease or condominium association agreements. It's also a fact that a number of regular hotel and guesthouse owners are officially complaining about Airbnb units as they are affecting their businesses.
Agree with most of the posts here; it's usually a good cheap alternative, especially booking the entire premises. What I'd add if you're uncertain is to judge the character of the advertiser as well as you can through your correspondence; a lot can be gleaned just from their punctuality in replying, clarifying any queries you have, and simple manners. Good luck.
Friends of mine rented ski apartment via airbnb last year. Really good deal around 50% cheaper than staying in aparthotel, where we were staying. Really lovely place, which we were quite envious of. Only problem was that the owner left feedback claiming that the apartment was left in untidy/unclean state. My Friends were horrified, as they pride themselves on being clean and tidy and had spent 4 hours on the morning of departure thoroughly cleaning the place, as they really wanted to go back the next year. Needless to say, its put a big dampner over all of us using airbnb.
I looked to see what it was like this year in the same area. I got frustrated with people not disclosing the full price for a week (i.e. advertised at 80 per night, but when you query they say for that week its 150.00) or going to the trouble to book, but to find there is no availability. Got fed up and went with same aparthotel that I used last year.
Saying all that it might just be the french and ski areas. I am planning to go to Valetta in July, so will give it another go.
We booked a fairly newly converted barn for the Christmas period to be near my family in Prestatyn in Wales. 3 double bedrooms, all ensuite. huge lounge - diner, log burner etc Fabulous except the boiler could not keep pace with hot water and heating. The owner was nearby and incredibly helpful. Definitely recommend it off the back of this experience but have friends with different experiences, especially when booking a room in a house.
Cameras in this situation are wrong in every way. No right thinking person would fit them and the owner of the property should be prosecuted.
I don't see why airb&b is being sued unless there are important facts missing from the story or the lady simply thinks she can get more money than suing the perpetrator.
Yep don't bother. We paid an extra £90 for covid cleaning at our last one in Manchester only to have to clean it ourselves on arrival. Air b&b didn't do a thing
Any recommendations of interesting or good value airbnbs given we're all likely staying in the UK next year?
For how many people?
If it’s just two adults, we have used a delightful boathouse in Norfolk a few years back that I could not speak higher about. Tried to go again in March this year but had to cancel due to Covid and now have a baby so no go for a while. It was not exactly cheap but I think was still value for money given the uniqueness and location on the river. Pure bliss.
Also stayed at a very decent place in Falmouth a few summers back as 4 adults. Highly recommended again.
I have used Air B n B lots, to do road trips acrosss Europe a couple of times and across the USA. In normal times it is great. I think at this moment UK based holiday rental companies will offer better value. Air B n B is probably more expensive.
Any recommendations of interesting or good value airbnbs given we're all likely staying in the UK next year?
For how many people?
If it’s just two adults, we have used a delightful boathouse in Norfolk a few years back that I could not speak higher about. Tried to go again in March this year but had to cancel due to Covid and now have a baby so no go for a while. It was not exactly cheap but I think was still value for money given the uniqueness and location on the river. Pure bliss.
Also stayed at a very decent place in Falmouth a few summers back as 4 adults. Highly recommended again.
Happy to dig out links if required.
2 or 4 depending if we manage to ditch the kids with grandparents!!
More likely 4 but yeah I'd be interested to have a look mate cheers.
Yep was described as enhanced deep cleaning to safe guard from the virus. Added an extra £90 to the £20 normal cleaning fee. I know this is more about the money grabbing landlord/agent but Air BnB didn't do a thing. We probably will never use them again which is more a loss to them as we book between 10 to 15 a year before this
Comments
The only problem I had was that on two occasions, the owner cancelled the booking, leaving me in the lurch trying to find alternative places. Once Airbnb paid some compensation, and the other time I chose a hotel as I was so pissed off. As Airbnb is effectively a broker, they have little influence if an owner wants to change or cancel a booking.
Yuck. I had this lady's downstairs bedroom. It was very last minute and I really wanted to go. Her house was horrible and cold. Tip toeing out to use loo. Two other couples in the other bedrooms. Never again. Would use it if I hired the whole house. But never share again.
I would certainly look in to using it again.
It may change; many Governments are watching sites such as Airbnb and Expedia's Homeaway very closely as many of the renters do not pay tax, are not legally registered to provide short term accommodation, do not report guests to the relevant authorities and are therefore in breach of local laws. Apartments and condominiums that rent through Airbnb are often in breach of the terms of their lease or condominium association agreements. It's also a fact that a number of regular hotel and guesthouse owners are officially complaining about Airbnb units as they are affecting their businesses.
I looked to see what it was like this year in the same area. I got frustrated with people not disclosing the full price for a week (i.e. advertised at 80 per night, but when you query they say for that week its 150.00) or going to the trouble to book, but to find there is no availability. Got fed up and went with same aparthotel that I used last year.
Saying all that it might just be the french and ski areas. I am planning to go to Valetta in July, so will give it another go.
http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/16/10318300/airbnb-hidden-camera-lawsuit-california
I don't see why airb&b is being sued unless there are important facts missing from the story or the lady simply thinks she can get more money than suing the perpetrator.
We paid an extra £90 for covid cleaning at our last one in Manchester only to have to clean it ourselves on arrival. Air b&b didn't do a thing
If it’s just two adults, we have used a delightful boathouse in Norfolk a few years back that I could not speak higher about. Tried to go again in March this year but had to cancel due to Covid and now have a baby so no go for a while. It was not exactly cheap but I think was still value for money given the uniqueness and location on the river. Pure bliss.
Happy to dig out links if required.
More likely 4 but yeah I'd be interested to have a look mate cheers.