Are Airbnb's ok to stay in?

[Leighhalfpennysthigh]

My siblings and I are organising a get together in a couple of months in the midlands and we were thinking about using an Airbnb. However, I some people have said that the properties might not be anything like they appear on the website and there was that thread on here about the apartment that was a dump (sorry if this is looks like a TAAT but I didn't want to hijack that one and also can't find it this morning!).

So my question is - are they all a scam? if we go for a superhost then will we be ok? We want a house really where the three of us can cook together and chill - it's the first time in years that we've been together just us, no other half's, no kids no dogs.

I have stayed in dozens and never had a problem. Choose one with some reviews. Scams are rare I think.

Read all the reviews, I have used it many times and everywhere has been great. I stayed in one in Vienna recently that was so nice we were considering refusing to leave
Remember you get what you pay for - if its £10 a night in central London it's going to be a flea pit!

I tend to book with superhosts or people with numerous reviews, especially when that person is named. Reading that "Z was fantastic and dropped off the keys, showed us where to head to" is far more reassuring of course.

Yes just choose according to reviews - go for real sounding reviews and a place that doesn’t look too good to be true iyswim. I’ve stayed in 2 so far, both been great. I think the scams are more likely in big cities with shiny photos of modern “nobody lives here” apartments.

I always go with superhosts just to be safe.

I would say yes, go for a superhost and read the reviews. I am a host (super at that!) And I have consistent 5 star reviews. I have stayed in Lots of airbnb properties (none as clean or nice as mine I believe ) but none as bad as that one on the thread yesterday.

Also, you'll be able to gain some idea of your host in the communications with them. Enjoy your trip.

I’ve stayed in loads and have only had one bad experience. It was thankfully for one night only. I didn’t read all the reviews.
Lesson learned.

They are great. Choose superhosts and it will be fine

I’ve stayed in lots, never been scammed although a couple of times it was less nice than it appeared, but the cost usually reflects that. We take a long time to choose apartments and really look at reviews, maps, owners profiles and so on to make the decision. The ones that have turned out slightly disappointing usually had a “too good to be true” feel about them in retrospect! However we once booked one we were wary about and it turned out to be absolutely fantastic and a real bargain!

Also in my opinion the hit rate of good/bad is actually better than hotels. I’ve had far more hotel rooms that were crap compared to the photos than Airbnbs.

I've stayed in several in Europe, and one in England, and they've all been fine and pretty much as described.

I've always read all the reviews, and never, ever stayed anywhere with no reviews. I've also not made any assumptions - eg if they don't mention it has a balcony/cooking equipment/wi-fi then I've not assumed that it would have them! With larger apartments/houses, we've tended to go for ones which are quite clearly homes rather than holiday lets - that might be less easy to do in the UK but in European cities there seem to be quite a lot of ones where families are happy to clear off during the summer holidays and rent out their homes.

I've stayed in loads. I definitely read reviews and go for places with a decent number of reviews, never had a problem. A few things not working, but mostly they over-deliver. As others have said, I've definitely stayed at more dodgy/run-down hotels.

Thank you for the reassurance! We have a wish list because we're getting ridiculously excited about this and have read all the reviews . My brother is even planning the menu!

The only bad experience I have had was in a European city when the apartment was somebody's part time home and absolutely full of their stuff and really rather grubby. However, it was very cheap, so perhaps that should have rung alarm bells, and when I was there, it became clear that the reviews and photos did reveal the mess, but I had just read past them: people referred to "cosy" and "homely" rather than "clean" - and the photos, which made it look quirky and bohemian were actually not hiding the tatty furnishings and clutter. Now I read between the lines of the reviews and scrutinise photos much more carefully, prioritising superhosts, and have, in general, had some very good experiences.

I've stayed in a few, they were fine. As the PP have said check out the reviews. Check the reviews for how often the owner cancels - we had a host cancel once, luckily we had enough time to find an alternative place.