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.

Our neighbour turned his house into an airbnb over the summer holidays. We discovered there was barely anything in there besides a bed and a tv. For what he was charging it was unreal!
As we live in a 4-in-a-block there was nothing worse than having stag parties and noisy folks not really respecting the rest of the residents.
Absolute fucking hate Airbnb now

Standard 'invariably' poor?!

We had a holiday in France over the summer and stayed in an apartment we booked through AirBnB and it was absolutely stunning. It was in a 16th century building overlooking a beautiful mediaeval street and was absolutely gorgeously decorated and equipped. The owner was lovely and ultra-helpful, and put bread, butter, cheese, fruit, chocolates, biscuits and four bottles of booze in the kitchen for us as a gift.

Obviously you get what you pay for, but it sounds like you're expecting to pay a cheap price for a quality stay, and I'm not quite sure why you'd think that would be fair? You wouldn't get a good hotel if you're not prepared to pay for it, either. Property owners are running businesses, not doing you a favour.

Completely agree. I end up staying in hotels more frequently because a room in a house is often only £5-15 less than a hotel and the hotel is usually far nicer.

Agreed actually - I used to love an Airbnb getaway - cheap and usually friendly helpful hosts. Past couple of years have been very dissatisfied with mainly the cleanliness and also attitude of the hosts when I've pointed out things or if I pay £10 for towels then I would actually like clean dry ones.

@dollydaydream114 I am expecting to pay less than an equivalent place in a hotel, proper bnb or self catering. Otherwise why bother taking the risk with private individuals?
But I find I am paying the same or even slightly more, for a less professional standard. And by less professional standard I mean the place is clean and fine, but the touches that professionals do are missing as is the ability to deal effeciently with problems that are sometimes inevitable e.g. something breaks - it happens, but you should have a way of dealing with it.

And I stay everywhere from cheap beds for 1 nights, to 5 star hotels. The only great air bnb place we stayed was a beautiful apartment abroad. But they rented out a few places and behaved totally professionally. I think basically they were just using air bnb as an advertising agency.

I agree, we go upper end and to be honest they have left a lot to be desired in recent years. Plus the prices have increased MASSIVELY in the past few years. I was staying in a place that was 400 euros a night and it didn't have wine glasses or opener, no wifi, and they wanted to charge me for the sheets (100 euros) and did charge for the air con. Nice enough place but I think it was worth staying there over a hotel because it was a lot cheaper, now it isn't so don't really see the value.

So stayed in one with a superhost and lots of 5 star reviews, not cheap. Place looked at advertised. Towels were tiny and thin. No instructions for entertainment system and we struggled to use it. No corkscrew. Some fussy ornaments in bedroom taking up space that most people would need to put their own stuff. Door bell on street to apartment not working.
Stayed in a cheaper place in same city that was a suite in a hotel. Ironically did not look as good as air bnb in photos. But was masses better and had free breakfast included and 24 hour reception if there were any issues.

We have enjoyed every Airbnb we have stayed
But then we have never 'over expected '

We have had very good luck with them, including a great holiday in Italy.