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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:
Ohpulltheotherone · 16/04/2021 16:19

@SarsonsWine

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! *@sunflowersandbuttercups* good for them, I don't want to. Give me otters, seals etc any day. Tv can't compete.
You’ll have to pack your night vision goggles then
Embracelife · 16/04/2021 16:19

Provide a good quality radio like bose
Can you receive DAB?

Original poster
PutTheCakeDOWN · 16/04/2021 16:20

@Icenii

Maybe you need to spend more time watching The Hotel Inspector. You'd learn a lot.
Possibly. We’re I planning to run a hotel 🙄😂
OP posts:
IrmaFayLear · 16/04/2021 16:21

Haha. This thread is cheering me up. Top trumps of how much more natural one’s own holiday is than other people’s. Snort at disturbing poor otters at 10pm with a torch in their faces.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 16/04/2021 16:22

There is a good B&B-type programme on Channel 5 at the moment - my B&B dream or something? That's quite good in terms of what guests are looking for.

Messyplayallday · 16/04/2021 16:23

I’ve stayed in many Airbnb’s which don’t have TVs. Just make sure you write it very clearly in the description. Recently (I’m not in the UK) I stayed in one with no WiFi, no tv, limited cell service and toilet was a portacabin. I knew when I booked, and it was in a rural area I wanted to visit.

sashh · 16/04/2021 16:23

I think you need to think beyond holiday lets.

I did a lot of supply teaching and (under the old tax rules) sometimes worked miles away from home and had to stay near.

If someone is working all day, particularly if it is winter and dark at 4pm they might want to watch TV or plug in a device.

I'd probably be an ideal guest if I was still doing that. Arrive evening and be out all day and on booking out I'd be gone by 7.30 am

Kaptain · 16/04/2021 16:23

I hope you don't provide any of that newfangled electric lighting either, OP? So much more civilised to sit by the light of a sustainable beeswax candle reading an improving tome of an evening!

wesowereonabreak · 16/04/2021 16:24

Snort at disturbing poor otters at 10pm with a torch in their faces.

😂😂

OP could put a big hamster tank so guests can look at hamsters when it's too dark to catch the otters.

ancientgran · 16/04/2021 16:25

@TherightsideofHERstory

No tv would be a selling point for me, in that kind of place would rather have local maps, books about the area, history of the area, that kind of thing. Go with the retreat angle, no tv, limited WiFi, sounds bliss to me!
That makes no sense to me. No TV - you can't watch TV. A TV - you don't have to switch it on if you don't want to watch TV.

If the OP is looking to be attractive to the maximum number of people then surely giving them the choice is a positive.

Wearywithteens · 16/04/2021 16:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

lastqueenofscotland · 16/04/2021 16:27

I don’t watch a lot of TV but still I’d expect one in an air bnb.
Especially if your renting it out during Euros/World Cup/six nations people will want to watch that

MrsFezziwig · 16/04/2021 16:27

I think it would be a shame to sit in and watch The Bill

I wasn’t sure because I hardly watch any tv myself.

I think that much is obvious from your first comment.

I think generally people want a TV, and those who don’t can just ignore it.

MarchXX · 16/04/2021 16:27

@TherightsideofHERstory

No tv would be a selling point for me, in that kind of place would rather have local maps, books about the area, history of the area, that kind of thing. Go with the retreat angle, no tv, limited WiFi, sounds bliss to me!
But OP will seriously impact the number of people who would consider her property if she does not provide (what is considered nowadays) basic amenities.

If there is a TV and wifi in the property you book, do not use it if you don't want to. Job done.

CandyLeBonBon · 16/04/2021 16:31

@TherightsideofHERstory

No tv would be a selling point for me, in that kind of place would rather have local maps, books about the area, history of the area, that kind of thing. Go with the retreat angle, no tv, limited WiFi, sounds bliss to me!
I think the fact that your comment opposes the sea of comments saying 'put a tv in' is an example of why this would be a less marketable property for Air bnb

Nothing wrong with wanting a 'retreat' type location, but assuming the op is looking to earn from her endeavours, it makes sense to appeal to the most profitable audience base.

Plus 'retreats' usually offer something in place of electronics to justify their exorbitant prices!

MrsFezziwig · 16/04/2021 16:31

I think it would be a shame to sit in and watch The Bill

And if guests want to watch Flogit! on repeat twelve hours a day then it’s up to them. You sound snooty.

Original poster
PutTheCakeDOWN · 16/04/2021 16:32

@sashh

I think you need to think beyond holiday lets.

I did a lot of supply teaching and (under the old tax rules) sometimes worked miles away from home and had to stay near.

If someone is working all day, particularly if it is winter and dark at 4pm they might want to watch TV or plug in a device.

I'd probably be an ideal guest if I was still doing that. Arrive evening and be out all day and on booking out I'd be gone by 7.30 am

No one would come here for work!

Maybe an edgy blogger. No one else 😂

OP posts:
Livpool · 16/04/2021 16:32

I go to AONB but of an evening it is nice to watch a film together. If you have been out all day you want to relax. Even a tv which you could use with DVDs would be fine if you had some dvds.

Not sure why not watching tv seems to be aspirational to some posters.

Original poster
PutTheCakeDOWN · 16/04/2021 16:33

@MrsFezziwig

I think it would be a shame to sit in and watch The Bill

And if guests want to watch Flogit! on repeat twelve hours a day then it’s up to them. You sound snooty.

I would be a bit snooty over spending 12 hours a day watching FlogIt tbh! Grin
OP posts:
GreenSlide · 16/04/2021 16:34

@SarsonsWine

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! *@sunflowersandbuttercups* good for them, I don't want to. Give me otters, seals etc any day. Tv can't compete.

So will OP be providing otters and seals then?

Original poster
PutTheCakeDOWN · 16/04/2021 16:35

@wesowereonabreak

Snort at disturbing poor otters at 10pm with a torch in their faces.

😂😂

OP could put a big hamster tank so guests can look at hamsters when it's too dark to catch the otters.

Ahhhh that would be lovely!
OP posts:
RincewindsHat · 16/04/2021 16:35

I wouldn't be bothered if there was a TV or not. That said, other people clearly are but what about another solution: indoor screen you can pull down, and cinematic projector with a selection of DVDs? That way people can watch box sets or movies or whatever but you're not installing a proper TV.

TatianaBis · 16/04/2021 16:36

Think I will try without. Agree with the PP who says about the big black screen being ugly. I’m not bothered about maximum occupancy, especially at first. I suppose if it becomes apparent that a tv is a dealbreaker we could look at it further down the line!

I'm telling you it's a dealbreaker.

The way these listing sites work - the more bookings you get the more visibility you get. If you're going to the bother of doing this at all, you may as well do it properly from the get go.

In addition - believe me that there will be people who don't read the listing properly and don't realise there's no TV until they're there.

Your ratings are everything on Airbnb. So if you get downgraded because you don't have one, not necessarily because the person who booked wanted it because they presumably don't mind, but their partner or friend complained, or because they think they're being helpful - you will never be able to get rid of that star rating/review.

Whatatodooo1 · 16/04/2021 16:36

I have an Airbnb and it's in a picturesque place but find tv and fast broadband are a must these days. I totally get it's lovely to switch off from technology but find many couples spend a lot of time in the Airbnb when they are here. It's one bedroom but doesn't have a kitchen. We offer Netflix too and ppl really appreciate it. Sometimes ppl just want to chill and do nothing. We never get away as have small kids and no babysitter and family don't babysit but if we got away, despite loving hiking, running and outdoors , we also love sleeping and doing nothing (which we now never get to do..). !!
Ppl are so busy these days so while some ppl like to get out and do lots of outdoor pursuits , we have plenty of guests who just want to chill all day.

GreenSlide · 16/04/2021 16:37

Maybe the best compromise would be to get a TV that only broadcasts BBC4. That way the plebs can't enjoy themselves too much by watching Coronation Street or Homes under the Hammer.