To think Air bnb is over rated?

[jennymanara]

We have stopped using air bnb unless it is literally just for a bed for 1 night. Because the standard is invariably poor, unless they are very expensive, or are already a proper bnb just advertising on air bnb.
I adopted a few years ago a policy of only staying with superhosts. But have decided to abandon even that after staying with a few that were fine, they had all 5 star reviews, but not as good as other places I had stayed for similar money in the same city.

I think when air bnb started there were genuinely real bargains for what you got. But this is no longer the case. Instead it is full if people who are renting at the going rate locally, but really have no idea how to be professional.

My dd works for air bnb in Barcelona. She has been there nearly a year and has barely met any locals.
She is being kicked out of her flat because the landlord wants to turn it into tourist accommodation.
There were demonstrations recently in Barcelona against all the tourists invading the city. 🤷‍♀️

Sorry @CodenameVillanelle I empathise you've had your struggles financially, however you're projecting that onto unwitting bystanders like myself- and you don't know the challenges it brings as you're not in the property;

Your financial gain is at my cost; belittles the sense of community, devalues my home and means I live in a 24/7 hotel. Surely you can see that someone has to suffer? That's not justifiable.

In the case of Airbnb and booking.com (which I consider interchangeable in peoples communal living homes like my own), I believe it wholly unethical and will continue to pursue through enforcement and the sheriff court.

It is incredulous to me you can't see how unethical actions of owners like yourself can be to those who live there - how would you like it? Genuine question.

I hope this posting has made you- and others - think twice.

And enjoy it while it lasts.

I have stayed in a few in east and south Europe that worked out well for us.

YANBU. At the end of the day it's just self catering dressed up a bit.

I have used air bnb quite a few times but tend to use booking.com as a first choice and only book through air bnb if there is nothing in the area or if I need a cheap crash pad for one night before a flight in an area with few airport hotels (so expensive). I had a great experience recently in Germany in a family home with an evening meal and very reasonably priced lift to the airport early in the morning. The family were travellers and host because they like being hosts.
Mostly I find airbnb no cheaper than a good online search for similar properties (I too now prefer to self cater and have more space than a hotel room so we have flexibility as a family). If something goes wrong, which I admit it only has on two occasions, you are left dealing with amateur hoteliers who want to take your money but not pay for the insurance/taxes etc to run a holiday business. We recently stayed in apartment with no working lights in the entry vestibule or inner main hall. On coming home late at night my small daughter tripped in the absoulute dark on a small ledge between the two and instinctively put her hands out to steady herself on the inner door made of several small glass panes. The owner had a huge sauna in the inner hall with one edge jutting out so the top pane smashed, no door stopper.
I let the owner know straight away and again when we left (a glowing review). After nearly 3 months I got a message from the owner just saying 'for the window €200'. I have not paid it and just contacted airbnb stating what happened and asked them to deal with it. However it has left me feeling stressed that when you stay in someone's home (he rented it out whilst he goes away for the summer) that even if you are really careful and leave the place immaculate you do not have the protection against accidents like this that you would if with a more professional set up. There maybe no one to deal with it at the time and get things resolved and you are very aware that you are also being reviewed and vetted, maybe unfairly.
I think that airbnb is not really what it started as and probably needs a lot more regulation. Most properties on there now are not just a room/space/part of someone's home and it is just a rental portal. The added fees tend to make it not a great deal as a renter (I know other sites probably factor them in but I often find places far cheaper elsewhere) and also sites such as booking.com offer far more flexibility in that you can cancel for free if you find somewhere else.

@Miracleon34thstreet

and you don't know the challenges it brings as you're not in the property;

You haven't read my posts properly at all. I rent out my spare bedroom. I live in my house, and people pay to sleep in my spare bedroom while I sleep in my bedroom, in my house.

Some people come for a night and others stay for 6 weeks. I am here when they are here so I know what they are doing. I would be here anyway; the only people losing out by my Airbnb business are potentially hotels in the area.

That is what Airbnb was conceptualised for.

@CodenameVillanelle apologies