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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the way the host is behaving is completely unacceptable?

69 replies

notonthebeachrightnow · 12/08/2019 14:09

On holiday at the moment and booked via AirBNB. Theoretically we should have the apartment to ourselves but the host lives next door. So every time she heard our door open she would pop out asking if we were okay and where we were going and what our plans were. It was nice, but did get pretty exhausting especially when going to the car with a picnic and beach things having to stop and chat.

But then she started coming in when we were there and she has walked into my bedroom three times now. Just now I had just taken a shower and was lying naked on the bed (with a towel underneath me!) and in she came. ‘Oh, you are here!’ I ended up shouted ‘PLEASE WILL YOU STOP DOING THIS, THIS IS VERY EMBARRASSING.’

I’m actually really angry, some money is missing and I can’t prove anything but I think it’s her.

OP posts:
Twickerhun · 12/08/2019 15:16

Air B and B is great but it is unregulated so you do take a risk.... probably not a lot you can do. Sounds horrible.

summersherewishiwasnt · 12/08/2019 15:17

The refund was requested for a no show that I waited for hours and hours to turn up with the key. No refund my word against theirs. Aside from the ethical problems of locals being priced out of their own local area, these holiday lets are a pain the arse.

bluegirlgreen · 12/08/2019 15:32

@notonthebeachrightnow

What weird behaviour.

Where was this? What country?

SaraNade · 12/08/2019 15:37

I never thought staying in a stranger's house was a good idea. To me, the whole 'air b and b' or whatever it is called is so bizarre. Motels and hotels exist for a reason. No money is worth staying in someone's house imo. I would never, ever, ever do it. The sooner odd things like this air b and b thing disappear the better.

FamilyOfAliens · 12/08/2019 15:39

Where were the other members of your family while you were lying on the bed naked?

Why didn’t any of them stop her coming into the flat?

justasking111 · 12/08/2019 15:39

airbnb is great when it works well, I always read the reviews before booking.

Dontfuckingsaycheese · 12/08/2019 15:46

We've only Air bnbed once - a reasonably priced flat in London - but we were told in advance that one of the residents would be in and out and could we please arrange food for him.

He wandered in and out at will - never knocking or anything first. Even when we were asleep.

But he was absolutely gorgeous and we already knew about him so we were more than happy to make him feel welcome in his own home.

But he was a beautiful black cat called Habibi Smile

BMW6 · 12/08/2019 15:52

WTF does she think she's playing at - what on earth did she say when you (finally) challenged her?

LuxuryWoman2018 · 12/08/2019 15:55

Seriously, what an intrusion

DarlingNikita · 12/08/2019 16:01

SaraNade, the point here is that the OP isn't staying in the host's house. If you read the OP it says the host lives next door, which is very common in Airbnb.

I've been on lots of Airbnb holidays with this set-up and have in fact just got back from one. We had a small problem with the kitchen equipment and told the host, who asked if it was OK to come in while we were out and fix it. She also came to offer us a mosquito net and knocked on the (half-open) door and called out rather than coming in. That sort of basic consideration is MUCH more usual IME and I've never come across such gross invasion as the OP talks about here.

leckford · 12/08/2019 16:05

I would never stay in an AirBnB, perhaps you not get this in a hotel?

CottonSock · 12/08/2019 16:08

I would be fuming. Can you double lock doors?

Bunglefromrainbow · 12/08/2019 16:10

Hi OP, I'd definitely check out the listing again to see what it says. AirBnB was I believe traditionally a way for people to earn a bit of extra money from their spare rooms etc, as such invasions like this were almost to be expected.
I'd still find it unacceptable personally but you are in someone's home so really you only have recourse to AirBnB whom I understand are particularly unhelpful in case of dispute.
Really all you can do is make your expectations clear in advance and on every intrusion, and maybe next time to fully check any reviews etc and hope for the best. Failing that it's back to proper hotels, bnbs and proper prices I guess.

BelindasRedPlasticHandcuffs · 12/08/2019 16:16

I would never stay in an AirBnB

Then you're missing out. Some of them are fabulous and many are let out by companies now, or are spare apartments from couples moving in together etc. It isn't just 'stay in someone's spare room' unless you want it to be and are going for the cheapest deals. We've managed to get some incredible deals for beautiful apartments and houses all over the place (with only our party staying). We've only had one poor experience and were refunded through air bnb easily (broken aircon in the Philippines so it wasn't ideal but the room itself was lovely, if very hot). This year we've stayed in about 5 separate air bnbs in the UK and Europe. No complaints for any of them.

The host bursting in on you is absolutely unacceptable Op. Absolutely complain through Airbnb, this isn't normal at all, particularly if you're supposed to have the apartment to yourselves.

Byorderofthepeakyblinders · 12/08/2019 16:25

Absolutely complain to Air bnb and agree to put in review as well

Intruiged · 12/08/2019 16:26

I've stayed in many Airbnbs, they are fab and I've never heard of this happening before. Report to Airbnb. A bad review isn't enough, this is totally unacceptable, and I'm shocked she thinks it is. Some people aren't cut out to be hosts. Report then leave a review.

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 12/08/2019 16:29

Did she not get the hint on the previous two occasions she came into your bedroom?Hmm

1arlingtonroad · 12/08/2019 16:35

@timshelthechoice I always travel with an extra lock
What’s an extra lock? Is it a travel lock?

Lunde · 12/08/2019 16:40

Can you buy a cheap door jammer so at least you have privacy when in the apartment

Namechanger1776 · 12/08/2019 16:40

I’m an airbnb host and this is unacceptable.

We always try and meet guests to say hi and show them around particularly if we are not going to be local. That way we can answer any questions etc there and then. It’s also to check the guests out. Where the flat is we get a lot of people taking the piss (booking for 2 and 6 people rock up).

We never go to the flat when the guest is in situ only if there is a problem and then by pre-arranged time.

You will get your money back if you complain but
You need to check the listing first.

Frankola · 12/08/2019 16:45

I'd request a refund from Airbnb but also leave her a bas review, stating how she behaves.

Other people need to be warned before they book!

NettleTea · 12/08/2019 16:46

this is horrific and absolutely unbelievable (not that I dont believe you OP)
I run our farm's holiday cottage through Air BNB and Im honestly shocked. Id never go in while they were in there, not unless they called me in to sort something out. Its really sad that people behave like this and put potential guests off using AirBnB as an option

AngelasAshes · 12/08/2019 16:49

Air BNB is an amateur operation. I personally will never book through them.

Travis1 · 12/08/2019 16:56

WTF?! What did she say when you shouted? That is utterly ridiculous behaviour. I am always so cautious about what type of Air BnB I book. Well actually I use Air BnB to find a suitable place and then google key words from the description or house title and 9/10 I find it cheaper on another site.

Original poster
notonthebeachrightnow · 12/08/2019 17:09

It is in Spain.

Worra the rest of my family are adults and were off doing their own thing. I wasn’t tracking them at that exact moment.

OP posts: