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Original poster

What does "Parking on premises" mean to you? Air B&B problem ...

235 replies

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/04/2025 10:01

Unashamedly posting here for honest opinions, based on the main question in the title

Background is that I'm on holiday with a friend, in an apartment situated in an area where street parking's well known to be almost impossible

We were therefore extremely careful to source a place that actually had it, and checked with the owner before booking that it really was provided - only to find on arrival that it isn't, and all that's available is (non existent) street parking meaning that we hardly dare go anywhere because returning means driving around ( over 2 hours yesterday Sad) in the hope of finding a space

Obviously we've contacted the owner, only to be told we've "misinterpreted it" and street parking counts as being on the premises

So my question is whether or not we were BU to expect what the listing said, and if not what would anyone else do now? What we really want to do is leave the hassle behind and ask Air B&B to sort a refund based on misrepresentation, but I'd welcome thoughts before doing this

OP posts:
AthWat · 16/04/2025 10:49

Also, is the owner French? I would never be 100% sure that a French person would know what "on the premises" meant in an English context so would seek to ask the question in a way less open to misinterpretation.

MadeForThis · 16/04/2025 10:49

Complain while you are still there.

Pigsears · 16/04/2025 10:48

Could it be a translation issue?

But that aside, I'd expect a place where I was able to park- that was reserved. And the 'on premise' bit to me would mean that the parking was part of the complex and was close.

AthWat · 16/04/2025 10:46

When you checked with the owner, what exactly did they say?

"Parking on premises" is definitely incorrect if the parking is on a public street, but they could reply that they clarified in your subsequent exchange. What was said in that?

fruitbrewhaha · 16/04/2025 10:44

Another solution to suggest to Airbnb is that the host pays for car parking in the nearest car park. Not ideal but would you be able to drop your friend at the house and vice versa walk to get the car? Or do they need assistance to get indoors?

fruitbrewhaha · 16/04/2025 10:41

Have you contacted Airbnb? I’d do that now, tell them you have contacted the host and they have not been able to rectify the problem. You will be able to speak to someone. Is there another Airbnb available with parking nearby? You should be able to move and get a refund on the first place.

thestudio · 16/04/2025 10:40

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/04/2025 10:31

Yes I guess that's possible - we've obviously no way of knowing what the listing said in the past, but it shouldn't really matter since I'd have hoped the listing would mean what it said now

It also doesn't help that my friend can't walk well, and while that's not the host's problem it's another reason we were so careful to check arrangements

Either way it's wrecked what should have been a relaxing holiday ... not nice to have any outing ruined by stress over what'll happen when we get back Sad

And just to add we're off out again today - god help us - so if I disappear please don't anyone think I'm being rude in not replying

Show quote history

I think it is the host's problem, in that it demonstrates that their convenient misinformation can have consequences which verge on discriminatory. If you emphasise this aspect to airBnb i think they will take it more seriously.

JackieDaytonaLuckyBrews · 16/04/2025 10:40

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/04/2025 10:37

We're here until the 24th - it's France so no Premier Inns, though they have others

Only thing is that if the host wouldn't refund - and it seems unlikely since she's putting all the blame on us for "misinterpreting" - it would be difficult for my friend to afford another wodge of cash to stay somewhere else

Edited to add tthat yes there are 24/7 car parks, @FortyElephants, but you don't want to know about the prices Shock
In any case they're not that nearby and would be an issue with my friend's mobility; the car really is necessary, hence our care in checking

Edited
Show quote history

Ah, that's a shame. You've definitely not "misinterpreted". She's told an outright lie. Premises parking is not on street public parking.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/04/2025 10:37

JackieDaytonaLuckyBrews · 16/04/2025 10:35

How much are longer are you there for? I'd be tempted to book into a Premier Inn or similar (if there are any available being half term) and go for a refund. It would stress me out and ruin my holiday not knowing if I'd have available parking.

Show quote history

We're here until the 24th - it's France so no Premier Inns, though they have others

Only thing is that if the host wouldn't refund - and it seems unlikely since she's putting all the blame on us for "misinterpreting" - it would be difficult for my friend to afford another wodge of cash to stay somewhere else

Edited to add tthat yes there are 24/7 car parks, @FortyElephants, but you don't want to know about the prices Shock
In any case they're not that nearby and would be an issue with my friend's mobility; the car really is necessary, hence our care in checking

OP posts:
Delphey · 16/04/2025 10:37

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/04/2025 10:35

Yes, that would make sense

As I mentioned the on-street parking is well known to be a major problem round here, so many do indeed travel without a car. However for mobility reasons this wasn't an option for us, which as said all formed part of the care we took in checking

Show quote history

Yes, understandable. They basically lied about having parking on the premises

FortyElephants · 16/04/2025 10:36

Is there a 24 hour car park nearby?

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/04/2025 10:35

Delphey · 16/04/2025 10:29

The five star reviews might be from people who travel there by public transport

Show quote history

Yes, that would make sense

As I mentioned the on-street parking is well known to be a major problem round here, so many do indeed travel without a car. However for mobility reasons this wasn't an option for us, which as said all formed part of the care we took in checking

OP posts:
JackieDaytonaLuckyBrews · 16/04/2025 10:35

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/04/2025 10:31

Yes I guess that's possible - we've obviously no way of knowing what the listing said in the past, but it shouldn't really matter since I'd have hoped the listing would mean what it said now

It also doesn't help that my friend can't walk well, and while that's not the host's problem it's another reason we were so careful to check arrangements

Either way it's wrecked what should have been a relaxing holiday ... not nice to have any outing ruined by stress over what'll happen when we get back Sad

And just to add we're off out again today - god help us - so if I disappear please don't anyone think I'm being rude in not replying

Show quote history

How much are longer are you there for? I'd be tempted to book into a Premier Inn or similar (if there are any available being half term) and go for a refund. It would stress me out and ruin my holiday not knowing if I'd have available parking.

Original poster
Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/04/2025 10:31

FortyElephants · 16/04/2025 10:24

They can't remove bad reviews. Possibly they only added the parking bit recently?

Show quote history

Yes I guess that's possible - we've obviously no way of knowing what the listing said in the past, but it shouldn't really matter since I'd have hoped the listing would mean what it said now

It also doesn't help that my friend can't walk well, and while that's not the host's problem it's another reason we were so careful to check arrangements

Either way it's wrecked what should have been a relaxing holiday ... not nice to have any outing ruined by stress over what'll happen when we get back Sad

And just to add we're off out again today - god help us - so if I disappear please don't anyone think I'm being rude in not replying

OP posts:
Delphey · 16/04/2025 10:29

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/04/2025 10:20

Wow, thanks for so many replies everyone - I answered the first before even seeing all the otthers

To answer some of the questions I didn't already, yes the emails betweeen the host and I are there since you have to contact them via the Air B&B site.
There is indeed street parking outside, but it's rammed 24/7 which is what we expected - hence checking so carefully about "on the premises".
Previous reviews have made no mention of the parking at all and all are 5 star, which leads me to wonder if any have been removed ... do they do that?

Anyway the vast majority seem to feel IANBU so guess I'd better contact AirB&B.
Not looking forward to this TBH, and what the hell do I do if the host takes the hump and loccks us out or something? Hmm

The five star reviews might be from people who travel there by public transport

HappyHunting101 · 16/04/2025 10:26

Not only have they falsely advertised it, but you've asked them directly and they've then told you that there is private, on premises parking provided which is a total lie! Don't feel bad for reporting this, they've only got themselves to blame.

Caroparo52 · 16/04/2025 10:25

From what you say there is clearly no parking on the premises. There's limited public parking on the road. Air BnB will do sod all.
Owners might offer some refund if you ask.
Only real recourse is to leave an honest review so next poor buggers don't get conned too.

Flossflower · 16/04/2025 10:25

People often put their property on multiple sites so it is a good idea when you book with Airbnb to look and see if there are reviews on other sites. Some sites like Tripadvisor tend to have more honest reviews. Airbnb tend to make it hard for you to leave a bad review.

arethereanyleftatall · 16/04/2025 10:24

I’m really surprised if none of the other reviews mentioned this?

yanbu

FortyElephants · 16/04/2025 10:24

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/04/2025 10:20

Wow, thanks for so many replies everyone - I answered the first before even seeing all the otthers

To answer some of the questions I didn't already, yes the emails betweeen the host and I are there since you have to contact them via the Air B&B site.
There is indeed street parking outside, but it's rammed 24/7 which is what we expected - hence checking so carefully about "on the premises".
Previous reviews have made no mention of the parking at all and all are 5 star, which leads me to wonder if any have been removed ... do they do that?

Anyway the vast majority seem to feel IANBU so guess I'd better contact AirB&B.
Not looking forward to this TBH, and what the hell do I do if the host takes the hump and loccks us out or something? Hmm

They can't remove bad reviews. Possibly they only added the parking bit recently?

Hoppinggreen · 16/04/2025 10:23

I would think the same as you OP, especially as you checked.
I did have a situation last year with an Airbnb where there was allocated parking behind a gate but other people kept using the space. the owner was great when I contacted him and arranged for me to use a different space.
I chose that place partly due to the parking as you did so I would be pissed off in your shoes
Having said that I doubt you will get a refund if you stay the whole time, an honest review is probably the only way to go

JackieDaytonaLuckyBrews · 16/04/2025 10:23

I'd have assumed parking on the premises means what it means. That the property has parking allocated to it. On street parking is NOT parking on the premises. I wouldn't ever book a property without parking because of the issues you are experiencing now. A holiday shouldn't be about driving around for hours looking for a space just to use your accommodation. I'd be furious and asking for at least a partial refund. Totally misleading and a real deal breaker (for me at least)

DaisyDooordont · 16/04/2025 10:22

Owner is clearly taking the piss and knows it. Anyone would consider that means a driveway or private designated space.

Delphey · 16/04/2025 10:22

Of course on street parking isn't on the premises. She's misrepresented it.

Starseeking · 16/04/2025 10:21

I would assume the same as you for the parking situation OP, and I would raise it with Airbnb.

I would also mention it as the title of my review “No parking on premises, just street”, and it would be the first line I would write in the review so at least others could see it.