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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not put a tv in an Airbnb?

514 replies

PutTheCakeDOWN · 16/04/2021 14:34

Pondering going find the Airbnb route. There’s no tv in the place we’d do it and it would be a right faff putting one in. I don’t watch loads of tv, and I know lots of people watch on tablets etc anyway.

For context, it’s a couples/single adult space in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

YANBU - tv not needed
YABU - get a tv you cheapskate

OP posts:
TooMuchYarn · 16/04/2021 15:00

I'd be fine with no TV. I would like internet but appreciate that its patchy in the wilds and the lack wouldn't put me off if the area made up for it.
Is there a radio? I'd usually listen on my phone, but if the network/internet isn't great, might be good to put one in, its nice to have a bit of background noise while cooking etc.

AryaStarkWolf · 16/04/2021 15:02

It’s quite a remote area, popular for walking and it’s lakeside so very picturesque. I think it would be a shame to sit in and watch The Bill but horses got courses

It's not about sitting in watching TV, most people will be out all day and probably want to sit down with a glass of wine or a cup of tea in the evening when they're all tired out. Most people don't just want to go straight to bed after getting home from a day of hiking or cycling or whatever, it's a nice wind down before you go to bed

PinkPlantCase · 16/04/2021 15:02

I think YANBU! Use it as a marketing point, put it up on air bnb and see how many bookings you get before you go through the faf of putting one in.

We’ve stayed on lots of places without a tv, one was a lovely cottage on the Isle of Skye. No tv but there was a wood burner and record player. What more could we need!

SarsonsWine · 16/04/2021 15:04

I don't go on holiday to watch tv so I wouldn't want a tv. I only book accommodation with stunning views out of the window and watch the view instead of tv.

BlackberrySky · 16/04/2021 15:04

@HarrietSchulenberg

I would use the no TV as a marketing point, seeing as you're in the middle of good walking and outdoor activity country. Something along the lines of "getting away from it all" and "switching off". Maybe put in a decent DAB radio instead if you can get good reception.

No TV would actually be a bonus for me.

I always find descriptions like this patronising, as if I am incapable of monitoring my own usage so need devices to be taken away in order to switch off. Just don't switch them on if you want to switch off!
Submariner · 16/04/2021 15:04

I was going to say similar to PPs, make it really clear in the description and make a big thing of it being a place to switch off and retreat. I'd like this because I have very worthy thoughts about going tech free for the weekend, but if it's there I'd use it! A good stereo system would be a nice touch so people can bring music/podcasts to play. Ooh, post the link up when it's ready OP... 😆

TakeYourFinalPosition · 16/04/2021 15:04

I expect you'll find some people don't mind, but you'll also find lots do - and if you want it to a viable business, it makes sense to make it appeal to as many people as possible, especially as this isn't a yes/no decision... people who don't want a TV won't be offended by the presence of one, they just won't use it, but people who do want one will likely not book (or be unhappy) without one.

littleducks · 16/04/2021 15:04

I would rather have WiFi than tv, I don't invite anybody who watches live freeview tv, it's all Netflix type subscriptions so a basic TV would be a waste. You need to make it clear then people can download some films in advance.

notacooldad · 16/04/2021 15:05

We can watch Netflix....just maybe not on two screens at once..!
I would be letting people know that the internet isn't great.
I have been to so many places saying that there is internet and planned in doing either work or planning my trips, booking tickets etc only to find the internet is rubbish.
I have given bad reviews and explained why when this has happened.
Just be honest with people to help them manage their expectations.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 16/04/2021 15:07

I'd be more than happy without a TV, in fact I'd prefer it. I'd like some books though, and make sure there's a corkscrew!

VodkaSlimline · 16/04/2021 15:07

I run an airbnb flat that has no TV and nobody's ever minded. It's clear in the listing that there isn't one so I guess if it was a problem for someone they wouldn't book that property. There is very fast wifi though so guests have the option of watching on their own devices.

For what it's worth, I don't have a TV myself either and it's not a factor for me when I'm choosing airbnbs for my own travel.

LouNatics · 16/04/2021 15:07

I also do a lot of solo travel, but I never touch the TV. No TV wouldn’t worry me in the least.

But I’d not book your place if it had shit wifi. And I’d be really annoyed if it was advertised as having wifi but I got there and it was really bad. I often need to work in the evenings. I stayed in one place where it turns out the wifi was so slow nothing would load, it was a signal black spot so I couldn’t run a hotspot of my own. It didn’t have a landline - I was totally uncontactable unless I walked to the end of the lane, which didn’t settle well with me, as a lone female traveller, as a mother needing to hear from my children in an emergency, as an employee trying to work remotely!

So, for me, I wouldn’t mind about the TV but I do need to be connected to the world

bumblingbovine49 · 16/04/2021 15:09

If you have shit internet and no TV, I would definitely not book - sorry. At least one would be necessary for any S/C holiday for me. One that is longer than a weekend anyway

catmothertes1 · 16/04/2021 15:10

I would expect a tv too.

ContessaVerde · 16/04/2021 15:10

get a TV. It may be a pain, but you'll reduce the amount of people who will book if you
Dont

You might not want 100% occupancy however, and the lack of tv might make your guests self-selecting.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 16/04/2021 15:11

@SarsonsWine

I don't go on holiday to watch tv so I wouldn't want a tv. I only book accommodation with stunning views out of the window and watch the view instead of tv.
Some people manage to look at both!
notacooldad · 16/04/2021 15:11

I'd be more than happy without a TV, in fact I'd prefer it
Why would you prefer it rather than just not use it?🤷‍♀️

beginningoftheend · 16/04/2021 15:14

I would expect one, and would be unlikely to book a place without as I cba to take my own tech, I like to travel light. I don;t watch a lot of telly but like to have the option.

You need to be very clear if you don;t bother as people will be annoyed if they arrive expecting one.

Cheeseandlobster · 16/04/2021 15:15

Dp and I go to air bnb's like yours. We love thrm but we want different things. So last time we went we took the dog for a morning walk and explored the town in the afternoon. When we got back DP watched tv while I took the dog for another walk and then watched the sunset with a beer. We do this abroad too where dp will retire to the room to watch World News while I stay out. Then we watched a film in the evening. So in a long winded way you need to cater for evenings (especially with potential future lockdowns), different people and also bad weather. People dont have to watch it but its nice to have the option.

irregularegular · 16/04/2021 15:16

I'd be happy without a tv. Rarely use one on holiday. Certainly not when overseas or just very short break. Maybe on longer UK holiday with family.

But having said that, i'd put one in if possible as plenty of people will want/expect one. I'm actually just about to set start an airbnb myself and wouldn't consider not having tv.

wesowereonabreak · 16/04/2021 15:17

I don't book anywhere without decent internet and no wifi (or crap wifi).

Internet is useful to research local area, local places, and sometimes.. it rains and there's no view! And if I want to browse crap during my holiday, it's my right to do so.

Some of us can go also away for a few days because we can log on and do some work too.

irregularegular · 16/04/2021 15:18

I'd be more than happy without a TV, in fact I'd prefer it
Why would you prefer it rather than just not use it?🤷‍♀️

When the children were smaller I used to prefer places without tv as I liked screen free holidays. If there was no tv they didn't miss it or question it. If there was a tv we would have to deal with it one way or another!

bumblingbovine49 · 16/04/2021 15:18

@ContessaVerde

*get a TV. It may be a pain, but you'll reduce the amount of people who will book if you Dont*

You might not want 100% occupancy however, and the lack of tv might make your guests self-selecting.

Of course because only uneducated, oiks watch TV and you don't want them in your lovely AirBnB, they might bring down the tone of the neighbourhood.

Naice well educated people don't watch TV of course. Obviously they do still need good wifi though. After all they need to watch Netflix and shite you tube videos and access social media work, listen to music, watch the odd educational programme or write their as yet unpublished novel Hmm

quarentini · 16/04/2021 15:18

Maybe have no live TV but have a small tv and DVD player and provide dvds and board games 💁‍♀️

EasterIssland · 16/04/2021 15:21

sorry voted wrong button, no tv for me... my son might prefer his tv tHo :d