AIBU to dislike staying in Airbnbs?

[Whatsnewwithyou]

AIBU to dislike staying in Airbnbs? We've done it a few times and while DH likes them, I prefer hotels. I find Airbnbs to generally not be very clean (although I'm sure there are exceptions). Not that our own home is spotless but all those little hairs from strangers in most Airbnbs all over the bathrooms, couches, etc really disgust me.

DH likes being able to have our own food and more space. I like having breakfast in little cafes, lunch from a bakery, etc.

I don't find Airbnbs to generally be much cheaper than hotels particularly in places like London.

So AIBU to say to DH "no more" or should I keep trying? If you prefer Airbnbs to hotels please can you tell me why?

I do like holiday cottages if we're going to stay somewhere for a week due to food preparation and privacy but they usually seem more professionally managed and usually much cleaner than Airbnbs!

I should have said in my previous post that all the Airbnb's we have stayed in are someone's home and not just self catering places. It doesn't bother us that it's someone's home. It can add to the experience that it is more homely with plants, pictures, maybe ornaments.

We stayed in an apartment in Stockholm and the décor was quite quirky and 70's inspired. There were loads of house plants (I love house plants and have over 50 in my house). The owner asked that we water the plants which I was more than happy to do.

My DH uses them for work too. He usually chooses the ones that are just a room in someone's house but always with a private bathroom. They almost always provide breakfast for him, often cooked if he wants it at no extra price.

He stayed in one last week and the owner not only provided breakfast but she also cooked an evening meal for him.

I'm in London in a really nice airbnb place right now. I love airbnb! I prefer to hotels because:

1. They are cheaper.
2. You generally get separate rooms so we can chat mote easily once the dc are asleep.
3. I like having access to a fridge, washing machine, toaster etc.
4. You can find some really interesting places to stay and I feel more immersed in the place we are going. Our current place is a houseboat on the canal which has been a lot of fun.

Re the cleanliness, make sure you read reviews before booking. Everywhere I've stayed has been immaculate, but I'm sure that reviews will tell you if they aren't.

Oh bloody hell. We've booked a place on booking.com (as we have several times before). Just checked the booking and they want £50 upfront for cleaning. We could do it ourselves but then they might spot a rogue skin cell and charge us £90 afterwards. And there's a £300 deposit. Fuck me, these people want it all don't they? It had better be fucking immaculate when we get there. Oh and check-in is half an hour after the event we're attending... At least you know where you are with a hotel (and I've run a B&B myself where we wanted people to, you know, relax).

Check the reviews cleanliness is rated. Read the small print cleaning, damages etc. If they are naughty it will show in the reviews.

My friend cleans her own places, finds agency staff are never as thorough when she is forced to use them.

There are folk who cancel at the last minute and expect a full refund!! So it works both ways.

I’ve used two in the UK which were about the same price as hotels but worse.

I’ve used some in Europe and the US that have been fantastic and cheap.

I’m sure they’re very variable.

I'm staying in an air B and B right now in Hastings - it is gorgeous, clean and comfortable. Love being able to make my own food, makes the whole holiday cheaper and means I don't overstuff myself.

I haven't used one abroad so not sure if that is different but every one that I've used in the UK has been great. We like to get up late on holiday so Hotel breakfast times are always too early and I hate having housekeeping in every day. Do agree with the super host thing too.

We've stayed in quite a few and haven't had a bad experience once. We read the reviews carefully and if possible go with those graded as super hosts. We've had extras we weren't expecting like cakes, wine, breakfast, dog treats! One in Norfolk left us so many bits of food we hardly bought any food ourselves. In fact, when we asked where the nearest supermarket was she seemed quite offended and said what do you need?! Got one booked in Cornwall next.

As said before on this thread, a cleaning fee is charged ti enable short breaks. It costs a lot to clean and do the laundry. Even my little cottage costs £100. I only charge £260 for a short break in low season, elextricity can be £30 q week.

And saying 'a deposit? They want it all!' Well, THEY are trusting you with their property. Unfortunately damage gets done by guests and should be paid for if it was avoidable.

I have a cottage, not Air BandB. One guest recentky moved the microwave, and left the door open over the hob. Apart from.nearly burning the house down, she ruined the microwave.

Same guest got me to call an emergency plumber for a leak . Turned out she had showered with the shower door open. All of this was my fault of coursr, as I should have put warning notices up!

That guest cost me money to have her stay.

I think airbnbs are great for groups of friends - so much space communal room etc - I feel you really see the price difference then. Not so much when it's a couple in my opinion !

That again totally depends on the property.

In my area, you can get a lovely 1 bedroom cottage for around the same as a b and b. But obviously, in the cottage you have much more space and a kitchen. So better value for the same value.

I like staying in AirBnBs and hotels. We still do both depending on where we are going and which looks nicer/cheaper.

However I am mystified as to why you can't eat at a cafe or restaurant when staying at an AirBnB. The reason we started using them was after going to a hotel, having had to pay £10 each extra for breakfast which turned out to be massively disappointing and then walking past numerous great cafes all serving breakfast on the way to see the sights.

Since then, any hotel booking has been made with 'what is breakfast like' - and if it is crap we either don't bother, or go AIrBnB. Breakfast at a local cafe is much nicer, cheaper and more fun.

We've never used an AirBnB for self catering - can't be doing with that.

Meandyoumake2, even for a couple Airbnb works out much cheaper than an hotel, even the cheaper hotels like Travelodge and Premier Inn.

I think airbnbs are great for groups of friends - so much space communal room etc - I feel you really see the price difference then.

This is what is genuinely confusing me. Are people using airbnb as shorthand for self-catering now? Surely airbnb whole home rentals are no different to any other self-catering properties unless I'm missing something. You dont get more space and communal rooms specifically in airbnbs, you get them if you rent a holiday home, whoever it's from.

Said you see all sorts advertised on AirBnB. Things that are clearly normal self-catering properties, things that are practically a BnB, v cheap room in a person's house, luxury properties for 8 - anything.

I don't think there is such a thing as a standard AirBnb. It is just a portal and businesses are advertising on multiple sites. You will often see the same property via booking.com, AirBnB, its own website etc etc.

DH and I have found that we just look around and see what we want to do - in some cities AirBnB is cheap or especially nice, in some we want to do hotels, sometimes there is a clear advantage to a Travelodge and so on. It depends what you are looking for each time.

I started renting out my spare room on Airbnb three months ago. I only accept single women and have had over twenty to stay. Earnings so far - £1620.

The experience has been overwhelmingly positive, I have met some lovely people.

I never allow instant bookings, there are too many men who are unable to read! When I get a request to reserve, I ask that women to read my listing right through if she hasn’t done so already, and if she happy with it to let me know. I will then allow her to book.

I got a couple of fours for cleanliness when I started, and probably will again. It’s annoying but that’s the way it is.

Before allowing anyone to book, I always go through and check their reviews for other hosts. A low one that is backed with a reason is okay, but anyone who has a habit of giving fours without explanation, won’t get to stay with me!

I have been given one four overall with a glowing review. She then said on my private feedback, “kitchen cleanliness - not dirty but not quite five star.” I don’t mind constructive critiscm, but that wasn’t very useful to me because it’s not specific.

However, I live in a popular seaside town where many of the the airbnb hosts know each other - we have a meetup every month. We share the names of difficult guests, so that lady who is a regular here will now have problems in finding a host who will accept her.

Airbnb have three cancellation policies. Read the one your host has in force before booking. You can plead extenuating circumstances and sometimes Airbnb will override the hosts cancellation policy and return money, if you can supply evidence of what has happened.

Cancellations due to bereavement will always be refunded. A change of plans, having your work leave cancelled or being let down on childcare are not extenuating circumstances as a couple of my guests have found out to their cost!!

Like guests, we suffer bereavements or something can go wrong with the property. Most of us are not big business people, we are just renting a room to make a bit of extra. Guests are allowed to cancel, so why shouldn’t we if there is a good reason for doing so?

Are people using airbnb as shorthand for self-catering now

Yes, it appears that way. Similar to how people call taxis 'an uber'.

"Similar to how people call taxis 'an uber'."

We still call them taxis as we don't have Uber round here

said anytime I book an air bnb I book the entire house - on the air bnb website. I use it to go to different cities - quite often these places will not have the same level of "self catering" accommodation available on booking.com therefore airbnb is our preference. I am also sure that hotel guests would prefer me and my friends did not stay with them on weekends away as we all like to have a drink together before going out therefore own space is key

My friend is a host and has found blood on the property, someone apparently shaved their curly hairs and did not remove them. A weeks worth of washing up. I am sure cleaning members on here have toe curling stories.