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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the recent changes to Air BnB will mean fewer people will book with them?

362 replies

Movinghouseatlast · 29/05/2022 10:14

Have you looked at Air BnB in the last 2 weeks and noticed the changes they have made to the website?

I ask because I have a glamping business and since the 'summer release' I have had no bookings at all. Absolutely there are issues with the cost of living/ energy crisis but it seems a bit of a coincidence that I was getting plenty of bookings before the changes happened.

I just wondered if from a consumer point of view if the changes are making a difference? I just think it's not user friendly any more!

I do have my own website but I have stuck with Air BnB as I have always had a lot of bookings and to me as a business they work out cheaper than other platforms like Canopy and Stars etc.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
Movinghouseatlast · 29/05/2022 11:37

My own website gets no bookings at all, well one I think. I think people feel safer using an agency in many cases. I also use Instagram and Facebook but will obviously have to try harder!

The changes happened 2 weeks ago and bookings stopped dead. Most people come for 2 or 3 nights and are going abroad as well, so although all the additional things will make an impact it is the changes I think. Also have gone from an average of 300 views a week to 0!

OP posts:
DogInATent · 29/05/2022 11:37

Glamping?
I'd look on Pitch-Up before trying AirBnB if I was looking for a camping/glamping holiday.

bellac11 · 29/05/2022 11:37

Movinghouseatlast · 29/05/2022 11:12

I literally did just list the changes!!!

How would those changes affect people booking and reduce your bookings though.

Purpleplaydohperson · 29/05/2022 11:37

booking.com are getting some great advertising on this thread...

I think Airbnb is ok but don’t like that they are not upfront with the charges.

theobligatorynamechange · 29/05/2022 11:38

I don't want to book with AirBnB anymore. It's rarely cheaper, they typically have an early chuck out time, plus they expect you to clean up everything after yourself, and you have the awkwardness of dealing with the owner who might be a bit precious about the accommodation.

With a hotel, the check out is never before 11/12 (well, it is at some places, but I don't book those, and I can always find somewhere with a late check out) and I don't have to worry about packing up all of my stuff and then taking the garbage out. If there's a problem, the receptionist doesn't take it personally because s/(t/he(y) do(es)n't own the room personally. And there's usually a good hotel discount available if you know where to look.

I just want a break to be hassle free. I don't want to be made to feel like an inconvenience, and that's how AirBnB makes me feel these days. Sorry, OP, but I'm over that site - especially for UK bookings. Live like a local? Well, I do all year round! Taking out the garbage, sorting recycling and getting up early is a busman's holiday, thank you very much.

HellyR · 29/05/2022 11:39

Movinghouseatlast · 29/05/2022 11:12

I literally did just list the changes!!!

Oh right sorry, just because you said 'the main one' I thought there might be loads (hopefully not as many as MN had 😬)

Air BnB is kind of an odd hybrid of holiday lets and spare-room type listings. I think it's useful and has its place but it seems more common to have an unlucky experience and Air Bnb aren't great at sorting it out. I've mainly found it useful for when we want an overnight stay somewhere when visiting friends/family and we have young kids, so a hotel room isn't the most practical option.

KitKattaktik · 29/05/2022 11:42

I know 3 people with accommodation on air bnb and they all have no bookings this year but were packed out last year. It's a lot to do with being able to go abroad again - especially if the holiday in the uk could cost more than flying to the med!

maudesvagina · 29/05/2022 11:43

I was looking recently for two bed place for two people (DH and teen Dd so need separate rooms) and search gave up load of one bed one room listings. Too much hassle to sort through

KimikosNightmare · 29/05/2022 11:47

What on earth is the difference, a second home rented out as a holiday let, is a second home rented out as a holiday let. A cottage website is just the same as airbnb, they are simply hosting people who are renting out their properties

There is a massive difference between a property booked through an established holiday rental agency and booked through Air B'n'B. The owners of the property have contracts with the agency. Any one booking can contact the agency direct , using phone or email, about any issues.

ssd · 29/05/2022 11:48

I find it very hard to use now. And availability isnt easy to figure out. I did accept a whole load of facts before going into it and i couldn't be bothered reading them. Has much changed?

Kennykenkencat · 29/05/2022 11:48

Jofergo · 29/05/2022 11:07

I don't book with airbnb because of the negative impact on town centres.

For self catering I use one of the cottages type websites.

For city breaks I insist on staying in hotels (my sister hates this but still travels with me).

But surely where ever you stay it is still depriving a local of a home and the cottage could be on Airbnb as well.

Personally I have only ever once booked something that wasn’t through Airbnb and that turned out to be an overpriced filthy rat hole with an owner who insisted there was nothing wrong with the internet connection despite not even being able to pick up a phone signal. Or the cooker worked fine despite being able to put your hand on the ring after it had been on for 30 minutes
The pictures were of the main house not of where you would be staying and unfortunately we were desperate as we had moved out of our house after 22 years and it coincided with last years summer holidays where there was listings of fields with no facilities for £1500 for the month or one particular camping spot which had a hole for your camp fire surrounded by logs to sit on at £3000 per month.

Mind you the place we stayed did cure Ds of ever wanting to leave London.

Pickabearanybear · 29/05/2022 11:51

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

francesfrankenfurter · 29/05/2022 11:52

I have only ever stayed in horrible places booked through Airbnb. Some nice places too. But it is very hit and miss. Now they are no longer cheaper, I no longer risk it. I prefer to use a more reliable site for quality.

Intrigueddotcom · 29/05/2022 11:52

I love air bnb
Cancellation policy is brilliant
I feel secure booking
and I love the map features

atenyoi sure nothing has changed op? In terms of your property / reviews?

Kennykenkencat · 29/05/2022 11:52

KimikosNightmare · 29/05/2022 11:47

What on earth is the difference, a second home rented out as a holiday let, is a second home rented out as a holiday let. A cottage website is just the same as airbnb, they are simply hosting people who are renting out their properties

There is a massive difference between a property booked through an established holiday rental agency and booked through Air B'n'B. The owners of the property have contracts with the agency. Any one booking can contact the agency direct , using phone or email, about any issues.

A lot of the people I know who have their2nd snd 3rd homes rented through an established holiday let agency also have their property in booking .com and Airbnb and their own private website.

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 29/05/2022 11:52

Perhaps because more people are seeing Airbnb as having a negative impact on the local community? rightly or wrongly I agree. Also I would never use Airbnb as it always had a reputation as being a bit lower end with stories such as sub letting against owners knowledge etc, whereas Sykes or Toad Hall Cottages seem more professional.

Intrigueddotcom · 29/05/2022 11:53

francesfrankenfurter · 29/05/2022 11:52

I have only ever stayed in horrible places booked through Airbnb. Some nice places too. But it is very hit and miss. Now they are no longer cheaper, I no longer risk it. I prefer to use a more reliable site for quality.

But has your experience been very different for the reviews?

i only book places with lots of reviews at least an average of 4.9

never had bad experience

bellac11 · 29/05/2022 11:53

KimikosNightmare · 29/05/2022 11:47

What on earth is the difference, a second home rented out as a holiday let, is a second home rented out as a holiday let. A cottage website is just the same as airbnb, they are simply hosting people who are renting out their properties

There is a massive difference between a property booked through an established holiday rental agency and booked through Air B'n'B. The owners of the property have contracts with the agency. Any one booking can contact the agency direct , using phone or email, about any issues.

The post I was replying to referenced the effect on town centres/local community. My post was in answer to that, not the usability of the agency themselves

We used to use sykes cottages or booking.com for every trip, 4x a year, a self catering cottage or apartment. I noticed that airbnb was getting cheaper than sykes after the pandemic, sykes has gone through the roof and I also noticed that I couldnt contact the owner directly from sykes asking questions about the property whereas I could on airbnb. However I might have a look at booking.com following comments on here

francesfrankenfurter · 29/05/2022 11:54

I also hate the lack of guarantee with air bnb. They can cancel on you at any point.

bellac11 · 29/05/2022 11:54

Kennykenkencat · 29/05/2022 11:52

A lot of the people I know who have their2nd snd 3rd homes rented through an established holiday let agency also have their property in booking .com and Airbnb and their own private website.

Show quote history

Thats right, they're just holiday lets like any other, doesnt matter what site they're on

Neonskytonight · 29/05/2022 11:56

If I find something on airb&b I always search and look for an alternative booking site/ book direct as airb&b is most often the most expensive. I hate the cleaning and service fees being added at the end.

Intrigueddotcom · 29/05/2022 11:56

I don't book with airbnb because of the negative impact on town centres.

surely brings in tourists who spend in shops, cafes, shops, restaurants

most owner pay for cleaners and many I have been to asap advertise local attractions, spas etc

Ohilovetorave · 29/05/2022 11:58

Also noticed big drop in bookings this year, pretty sure it's just people going abroad, can't blame them really. Tis a worry though

Intrigueddotcom · 29/05/2022 12:00

I have never ever paid full by

francesfrankenfurter · 29/05/2022 12:00

@Intrigueddotcom I only book with good reviews. One place in particular I am sure the good reviews were fake.
But no not masses of reviews. Because lots of places have less than twenty reviews. If I stuck to places with hundreds of reviews I would be very limited about where I could stay.
Places like booking.com seem to have more quality control.
I think every air bnb should have as a minimum smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. They don't. They don't have to meet even basic safety standards.