OT: Air BnB

[scotty0330]

Mrs and I are planning on taking kids to Cali (southern) for first time this summer. The wife has been intrigued by this AirBnB that she has heard many good things about. Hoping there might be a yarder or two that have tried this that can share their experiences. It is tempting as it would allow for a more spacious stay and allows us to spread out rather than be cramped in a hotel room.

Interested to hear if anyone on the board has experiences with this and if so would they recommend it??

 

[8893]

I have not used Air BnB but we've used VRBO, which is similar, several times all over the country with very good to great results. Like anything else, check the reviews and do enough follow up communication with the owner to satisfy yourself that it's not a scam, etc.

I have many friends who have used Air BnB with mixed results, but usually positive, following the same general guidelines.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

I've used it before and not had an issue. Obviously it's like choosing a restaurant to eat at, everyone is going to have good and bad experiences. I rented a house for a weekend with some friends up in Vermont. It was cheap, the owners were extremely welcoming and nice and came by to make sure we were ok. I would choose it over a hotel.

 

[uconndoit]

I found my 2nd apartment in Bangkok on airbnb! A 250 sqm duplex on the top floor with 5 bedrooms 4 bathrooms and 5 balconies in a prime location for about $1700/month. In NYC that'll get you one of the balconies.

 

[huskiesNhoos]

I've used it a couple times and mostly good results. Make sure that you're not the first person using the house for AirBnB, because some areas/neighborhoods won't allow houses to be rented in that manner. Had an issue with that one time where the person renting the house told us about a week before we were going to VA for a horse race (we had booked 2-3 months in advance) that the house was not able to be rented, but gave us a crappy backup house farther away instead. Didn't come with any of the furnishings (or even silverware) that the original house promised, and she refused to negotiate a new price.

Overall though I would continue using it

 

[DCUconnfan]

I've used it a bunch and all overseas/Europe. I've never had a problem yet outside of some communication barriers which you won't have seeing as how they should be English speaking. You will get a general sense about the owners through their communication with you. If they're responsive, friendly, and try to vet you out a bit, those are the places I've found to be most agreeable and safe at. I've only felt unsafe at one of them, but it was in Greece during their financial crisis and riots so there was plenty of outside stimulus to impact my feelings.

VRBO is another excellent resource and generally has nicer places.

 

[CallMeBruce]

I used it in Montreal, and the Lady Bruce and I are using it in London on our honeymoon later this year. I had a great experience. They make sure they verify the heck out of everyone to avoid shenanigans, so it's pretty safe.

 

[Kembacity]

Friends used it to go to LA a year ago and had great results, got an apparently flashy lush pad for cheap, maybe now that the growing pains have somewhat subsided it probably costs a lot more. I'm planning on going out there with them this August and finding an AirBnB with enough beds for all of us to share.

From what I've heard its just like any other online business, do your due diligence and you should be okay but there will be the anomalous bad experience here and there

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

If you're skilled at reading between the lines regarding Amazon & Yelp reviews (for example), then go for it. We have had ALL good 'value' experiences in Taos, Ojo Caliente, Santa Fe, Berkshires, Ithaca, Westerly, and Bath, England.

 

[KemBuckets21]

Mrs and I are planning on taking kids to Cali (southern) for first time this summer. The wife has been intrigued by this AirBnB that she has heard many good things about. Hoping there might be a yarder or two that have tried this that can share their experiences. It is tempting as it would allow for a more spacious stay and allows us to spread out rather than be cramped in a hotel room.

Interested to hear if anyone on the board has experiences with this and if so would they recommend it??

I've done it. I live in NYC in a two bedroom and I put my second room on Air BnB sometimes for extra $. It's pretty awesome. Just follow the ratings of the apartment owner as that is a pretty good indicator of the quality/cleanliness of the apartment/home you would be staying in.

 

[Jerry1714]

I have used VBRO a number of times, which is similar to AirBnB, and have had very good experiences each time.

 

[intlzncster]

Mrs and I are planning on taking kids to Cali (southern) for first time this summer. The wife has been intrigued by this AirBnB that she has heard many good things about. Hoping there might be a yarder or two that have tried this that can share their experiences. It is tempting as it would allow for a more spacious stay and allows us to spread out rather than be cramped in a hotel room.

Interested to hear if anyone on the board has experiences with this and if so would they recommend it??

Staying in an awesome Air BnB house on the beach in FLA at the moment. Nice looking, well appointed, clean, right across from the beach, and cheap as chips. Love it.

Like anything, you just have to do your research first, and make sure the person you are renting from seems like a good sort. I've had pretty much all good experiences so far.

Only negative: this house had only a small .5 inch spatula available for breakfasts. Make sure wherever you rent has a proper spatula.

 

[intlzncster]

I've used it a couple times and mostly good results. Make sure that you're not the first person using the house for AirBnB, because some areas/neighborhoods won't allow houses to be rented in that manner. Had an issue with that one time where the person renting the house told us about a week before we were going to VA for a horse race (we had booked 2-3 months in advance) that the house was not able to be rented, but gave us a crappy backup house farther away instead. Didn't come with any of the furnishings (or even silverware) that the original house promised, and she refused to negotiate a new price.

Overall though I would continue using it

Hope you ripped her a new one in the review section.

 

[8893]

Only negative: this house had only a small .5 inch spatula available for breakfasts. Make sure wherever you rent has a proper spatula.

Essential for the Aunt Jemima treatment:

 

[nomar]

If you're skilled at reading between the lines regarding Amazon & Yelp reviews (for example), then go for it. We have had ALL good 'value' experiences in Taos, Ojo Caliente, Santa Fe, Berkshires, Ithaca, Westerly, and Bath, England.

You forgot to mention your stay in France, Hans. I wonder why.

http://nymag.com/following/2016/03/horrified-vacationers-find-dead-body-at-airbnb.html

 

[methodology]

Used it 4 times and loved it. Only had 1 somewhat bad experience and it was somewhat my fault for not asking the owner more questions about the place. Thought I was getting a 2 br place but ended up being 1 br and then small kitchen living room. Not the best accommodation for 3 dudes. 2 in the bed one in the pullout

Just do your due diligence

 

[8893]

Not the best accommodation for 3 dudes. 2 in the bed

 

[joober jones]

Mrs and I are planning on taking kids to Cali (southern) for first time this summer. The wife has been intrigued by this AirBnB that she has heard many good things about. Hoping there might be a yarder or two that have tried this that can share their experiences. It is tempting as it would allow for a more spacious stay and allows us to spread out rather than be cramped in a hotel room.

Interested to hear if anyone on the board has experiences with this and if so would they recommend it??

I've heard much more bad than good. I really don't recommend it.

 

[Jaker]

I own a home in Tahoe, how much you willing to pay???

 

[CAHUSKY]

I own a home in Tahoe, how much you willing to pay???

Unless Tahoe has been moved to Southern CA I don't think it will help the original poster much. Where in Tahoe? My families place is in Tahoe City.

 

[August_West]

Used it 4 times and loved it. Only had 1 somewhat bad experience and it was somewhat my fault for not asking the owner more questions about the place. Thought I was getting a 2 br place but ended up being 1 br and then small kitchen living room. Not the best accommodation for 3 dudes. 2 in the bed one in the pullout

Just do your due diligence

Lol I can picture it now.

:: clicks off light::

" goodnight bro"

:: alarm goes off next morning::
" good morning, bro. Coffee? "

 

[huskymedic]

LOL. From yesterday:

washingtonpost 1:46am via SocialFlow
Airbnb nightmare: 7 bedrooms, a swimming pool — and a decomposing body in the garden
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...d-a-decomposing-body-in-the-garden/?tid=sm_tw

 

[Jaker]

Unless Tahoe has been moved to Southern CA I don't think it will help the original poster much. Where in Tahoe? My families place is in Tahoe City.

Truckee

 

[CAHUSKY]

Truckee

Spent Sunday doing some wine tasting at Uncorked and had lunch at Bar of America. My dad was the Principal of Truckee High School.

 

[The Frog]

I recommend also e-mailing the host with any question you have. Most are more than happy to answer your specific question that may not have been covered in the descriptions. Overall I have had 2 great stays, 2 good stays and 1 ok stay.