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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:
Upamountain43 · 16/04/2021 15:22

We always have no screen policies on holidays - bar looking at photos, tourist info etc.

So we would prefer it as the kids would not ask but you need to be clear and use it as a selling point.

GravityFalls · 16/04/2021 15:23

Can’t watch a view when it’s dark though...

I’ve stayed in places without a TV, isolated cottages with gorgeous views. It was nice it’s it in the terrace and drink wine and watch the sun set. But even in a heatwave it gets chilly after dark and it would in all honesty have been nice to stick something on for half an hour before bed. Not a dealbreaker but just nice to have.

ThisBear · 16/04/2021 15:24

I'm not keen on this idea that people will turn
up and glue themselves to the TV instead of getting out and enjoying the scenery/reading a book! There's a time and place for each. We love setting off early, having a busy day out and about, and finding local maps and books in the cottage or at local bookshops. But after that long day out and about, we love sitting down to watch a film together after dinner. I also usually bring knitting or similar for the evening or for a rainy day, and it's nice to half-watch TV at the same time.

CharlotteRose90 · 16/04/2021 15:24

If your in the uk then yew I would want a tv and good WiFi. It’s all well being out and about during the day but if the weathers crap or at night people want a tv or atleast WiFi to be able to do anything. I’d cancel in a heartbeat if I found out you didn’t have it.

Somanysocks · 16/04/2021 15:25

We stayed somewhere with awful wifi and patchy signals on our mobiles (rural), and needed the tv for the weather forecast so we could plan our outings.

TatianaBis · 16/04/2021 15:26

As someone who does this as a business - you need a decent sized flat screen smart TV and they're not very expensive. Netflix is great. Indoor aerials are very different from what they used to be and you can get a decent one for £30.

It's not a selling point not to have one. Anyone who doesn't want one doesn't use it.

Add it into your set up costs - along with professional photos.

1940s · 16/04/2021 15:27

If you don't do a TV please try and make a point of a decent book swap / book shelf and board games maybe with a few candles too with a twee note perhaps 'enjoy 'unplugging' here' or something. If I booked a few days there and pouring with rain I'd appreciate something to do!

DeeSeeMee · 16/04/2021 15:27

Ratings - you will live and die by them and they hugely influence bookings. You are shooting yourself in the foot not having a tv. Not everyone will twig and if it bothers them they will let you and everyone else know!

SausageDogSandwich · 16/04/2021 15:27

I can live without tv but I wouldn't stay somewhere that didn't have one.

I like to see the news and breakfast tv.

lunar1 · 16/04/2021 15:28

Not bothered about a tv at all, but I automatically rule out places without decent WiFi.

PurpleWh1teGreen · 16/04/2021 15:29

You could try without, so long as the description is clear. If you find it affects bookings, then you probably know you need one.

Personally, decent wifi would win out for me, but I doubt think there is anything worthy about not watching TV...

AryaStarkWolf · 16/04/2021 15:29

@quarentini

Maybe have no live TV but have a small tv and DVD player and provide dvds and board games 💁‍♀️
That's a decent solution actually
TheDogsMother · 16/04/2021 15:30

We have an Airbnb which sounds like a similar size and set up to yours and is also in a National Park. We do have a small TV (satellite) in there plus a load of old school DVDs which guests do use it. Most people love to go an explore but a surprising amount stay in a lot of the time too.

If at all possible do sort the internet/wifi as this really matters to people.

NCforthispurpose · 16/04/2021 15:32

We never watch TV so a TV has never been a must have when looking for a property to rent, unlike wifi, dishwasher etc which are deal breakers.
However if your wifi is shit then you don't have a choice, get a TV (and fix the internet if you can).

Justonemorejammydodger · 16/04/2021 15:33

Seems I’m in the minority, but we wouldn’t put it on and I think a big black screen just looks ugly. Books, games, wine.

Crystal90567 · 16/04/2021 15:33

The Bill does exist anymore.
You're watching wrong.

What do you do in the evening?

eatsleepread · 16/04/2021 15:35

Ooh, what about one of those TVs with the integrated DVD player? In this age of streaming, I think it's actually really nice to go a bit 'old school' and snuggle up to watch a DVD together at night! A laptop screen just isn't the same. You could leave a few dvds in the place for brownie points ,,, they cost pennies these days from charity shops. And as for the TV/DVD player, I got a combined one for £30 off Gumtree the other day. My daughter had some Harry Potter DVDs she wanted to watch, but they weren't available on the streaming services we have ... or were very expensive.
It's just plug in and go too; no need for an aerial, etc.
And not sure how this works, but your guests could always bring their own firestick to make it a Smart TV.

eatsleepread · 16/04/2021 15:36

To be fair though OP, my mum does Air B&B from her beautiful home, with no TV. Not one guest has ever asked for one or been put off by its absence!

MyDcAreMarvel · 16/04/2021 15:37

If no internet that people can’t watch on tablets unless they download which isn’t very spontaneous. I would instantly rule out no tv.

GreenSlide · 16/04/2021 15:38

@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.
What, you just stare out the window for hours when it's pissing rain or your toddler has got up at 5am or whatever?
Iwantcauliflowercheese · 16/04/2021 15:39

I'm in the TV camp. After a long day out it's pleasant to relax with a glass of wine and catch up on a bit of tv before bed. I don't want Netflix or to bring a stick. I just want to switch it on for an hour or so. No TV, no booking. Poor wifi is a no no too.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 16/04/2021 15:39

Yeah, tv is good. Who doesn't want to watch it, won't watch it🤷🏻

We like to watch something when winding down nackered from the whole day out. We usually get in about 10-11 so episode of Family guy before passing out is the best.

azizam · 16/04/2021 15:40

I’m not a big TV person either OP but I do like to cosy up and watch a film especially when on holiday! If you don’t put a TV in it is fine but I would mention it on the booking site to avoid disappointment!

Good luck with your air bnb!!Flowers

SchrodingersImmigrant · 16/04/2021 15:40

Some people in here are adorable trying to make themselves sound interesting because they don't watch tv.

No. One. Cares. It's fine not to watch it, it's fine to watch it. Neither is better than the other😂

sonjadog · 16/04/2021 15:41

I think without a TV you are limiting your potential market greatly. I guess it depends on how in demand your property is or not whether or not you should get one.

For me, the shit wifi would be a huge problem and stop me wanting to stay there. If it wasn't flagged in advance and I got there and it didn't work properly, I would write a complaint about it in the review to warn other guests away. I suggest that if you can, update to better wifi.