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Original poster

Standing outside an airbnb and host not responding

28 replies

Aslockton · 09/09/2023 17:35

Me and my partner are doing a marathon tomorrow. We booked an airbnb near the event months ago and had this confirmed with messages from the host, address, phone number etc.

It is a key safe entry so this morning I messaged the host to ask for the code and heard nothing.

We arrived at 3pm by train, messaged the host again, knocked on the door, spoke to the neighbours, phoned the host and left messages, messaged airbnb who are trying to get in touch with the host. We have been standing around and sitting in a local pub for nearly 3 hours now in this heat.

Any ideas??

The reviews are good and plentiful. Most are recent and look legit.

OP posts:
nevynevster · 09/09/2023 17:36

I suggest you get back in touch with Airbnb and ask them to cover the cost of alternative accommodation!

watcherintherye · 09/09/2023 17:39

Is there a nearby Premier Inn or similar you could book into?

CrapBucket · 09/09/2023 17:42

Is the key definitely in the key safe, not under a mat/stone/plant pot? Is the door definitely locked? I stayed in a let yourself in b&b recently where the front door was stiff but unlocked.
Does Airbnb have any feature to message people who have left reviews? One of them might give you the code if it hasn’t changed…
good luck and also good luck for the marathon!

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Original poster
Aslockton · 09/09/2023 17:52

@CrapBucket Thank you. This is the outskirts of London so no doors left unlocked and alternative accommodation is eye-wateringly expensive for tonight.

OP posts:
SisterMichaelsHabit · 09/09/2023 17:55

nevynevster · 09/09/2023 17:36

I suggest you get back in touch with Airbnb and ask them to cover the cost of alternative accommodation!

This!

Original poster
Aslockton · 09/09/2023 17:56

Airbnb have just refunded us the money, but that does not help when an alternative is 3 times as much!

OP posts:
BeverleyMacker · 09/09/2023 17:56

Aslockton · 09/09/2023 17:52

@CrapBucket Thank you. This is the outskirts of London so no doors left unlocked and alternative accommodation is eye-wateringly expensive for tonight.

Not your problem. You've tried everything. They have to suck up the cost of alternative accommodation and the inconvenience.

Duolily · 09/09/2023 17:56

Have you double checked all parts of the Airbnb listing for the code? Sometimes those additional pages are available near the time of staying, I’ve nearly missed it there before

TenOhSeven · 09/09/2023 17:57

Have you checked your spam folder?

Primproperpenny · 09/09/2023 18:23

Had similar abroad with AirBNB. New York. Apartment was dire, didn’t feel safe and the sheets were filthy. Took pics and sent to AirBNB. They put us up in a lovely hotel near Central Park for two nights. They should cover your accommodation costs in full.

Original poster
Aslockton · 09/09/2023 18:39

My sister's friend has kindly offered to put us up for the night. We our on way there now. We will deal with airbnb after the marathon. What a stressful day!

OP posts:
UnaOfStormhold · 09/09/2023 18:41

This really wasn't what I wanted to hear as I am travelling to an airbnb the night before a triathlon. Hlad you're sorted, fingers crossed I don't have similar problems.

Original poster
Aslockton · 09/09/2023 18:49

It is my first marathon too and with the heat, things are not going our way. We have never had a problem with airbnb before.

OP posts:
CalistoNoSolo · 09/09/2023 18:53

Another reason I will never use Airbnb. Glad you're sorted. What an utter pita for you.

UnaOfStormhold · 10/09/2023 06:05

Good luck for your marathon btw!

Original poster
Aslockton · 10/09/2023 20:23

@UnaOfStormhold Thank you.

Well, things did not go to plan. The once-an-hour train to sister's friend was cancelled, so by 7.30pm it was getting dark and we had been in the heat for 5 hours. We cut our losses and booked into a nearby hotel. It was £150 and only a 15 minute walk from the start of the marathon.

We will try to re-coup the £150 from airbnb. After all, they cancelled our booking and sent us a refund at 6.30pm so left us accommodation-less. We had wasted 5 hours and had no time to see any sights or enjoy our time near Richmond.

As for the marathon... it was hot! We both finished safely in under 4 hours. A few minutes after we finished, the marathon was cancelled, and all runners out on the course were asked to walk as they had run out of water.😮

Then the ambulances started to arrive... I counted at least 8, then major incident response vehicle, at least one person was being resuscitated on the finish line. No idea how many other casualties, but it was far too hot for a major running event for amateurs.

That will be our first and last marathon.

OP posts:
CrapBucket · 10/09/2023 20:43

Congratulations OP, sounds like a battle from start to finish- hope you get your refund. Awful to hear about the ill runners and lack of water!

UnaOfStormhold · 10/09/2023 20:49

That sounds terrible about running out of water in thd heat. I found the running part of the triathlon really difficult today - without the water or breeze to keep you cool and I definitely drank (and poured over my head!) more than normal so I can see how that might have happened but still, how frustrating to train and then not be able to finish through no fault of your own. Hope you manage to get your hotel costs covered.

Georgiepud · 10/09/2023 20:51

What an ordeal! I'm frustrated and exhausted just reading all about it. Hope you get some compensation from airbnb.

PuppyMonkey · 10/09/2023 21:02

But apart from that, you had a nice weekend? Grin

Russooooo · 10/09/2023 21:21

That sounds traumatic! Which event was it?

Original poster
Aslockton · 10/09/2023 21:34

@Russooooo The Richmond Marathon that started in Kew Gardens.

OP posts:
Rubytoos · 10/09/2023 21:38

The key safe location and code are within the listing. This part is invisible to you until you have passed the point of being able to cancel, for security. You should’ve been able to access this information without having to contact the host.

Original poster
Aslockton · 11/09/2023 18:14

Update:

Today we got the full cost of our hotel (£150) back from Airbnb. No fuss. And we were refunded the original cost of the Airbnb too on Saturday. Could have done without the stress though!

OP posts:
AuntieEsther · 11/09/2023 18:15

Please leave a bad review for the host. That's appalling of them.

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