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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not get the appeal of airbnbs

128 replies

cadburyegg · 11/03/2023 00:00

I've stayed in a couple with a friend and she's always booked it, so I'm not familiar with the requirements/setup.

I just can't get comfortable with staying in someone's home 🙈 i just felt like the owner could reappear at any moment! I would much rather stay in a hotel/travelodge even if it means just a bedroom without any kitchen facilities.

With one we stayed in lately, we were kept waiting about 10 mins outside for the owner to get the keys, which wasn't a big deal, but it got me thinking, what would happen if the person just didn't turn up?

Also, my friend insisted we had to leave the place absolutely spotless because otherwise her ratings would suffer. But we paid a hefty cleaning fee...

Am I missing the appeal?

OP posts:
Funkyslippers · 11/03/2023 09:34

Well I research them thoroughly via air BnB, booking.com or vrbo before I book. We have to have an apartment or house as OH goes to bed later than me so he can watch tv in the lounge. I also like to have a kitchen. Never felt like the owners could come back at any time. Why would they?

TheGoogleMum · 11/03/2023 09:34

They used to be reliably cheaper to stay in, but I'm not sure they are anymore. I agree paying a cleaning fee and expecting to clean is silly. I find it much less appealing now compared to 5 yeas ago

KnittingNeedles · 11/03/2023 09:34

I've never cleaned either. The place we stayed in Paris which was actually someone's home came with a cleaning fee stated up front, all that was required was that dirty dishes were washed and put away, and bins were emptied. The cleaner and the owner's friend did the rest.

Houseplantmad · 11/03/2023 09:50

I’ve used loads and it’s always been a good experience. I’ve never cleaned either but just left things as you’d expect - rubbish emptied, dishes washed, towels put together by washing machine etc. I’ve never had an issue with that.

Geranium1984 · 11/03/2023 09:52

I love them. But mainly because we have toddler and baby so need a kitchen, a bath and ideally 3 bedrooms.
Would love to stay in a hotel but they're just too young to all sleep in the same room, or on a fold out bed in the living room

PicturesOfLily · 11/03/2023 10:05

I like them too. We would usually book a hotel for 1 or 2 nights but for longer/groups prefer a holiday let. We used one last weekend in the Lake District to celebrate my dad’s 70th. I couldn’t find a hotel room for less than £200 a night per room (we were paying for my parents too) and that would have meant DH and I sharing a room with both DDs and going to bed at 7.30 with the 5yo. We booked a gorgeous cottage instead which had 4 bedrooms so my sister could come too, we had lots more space, didn’t have to pay £20 each for breakfast every day and it was much cheaper. I’ve also used them in Germany, France and NI and never had a problem. The city centre ones often have parking which hotels charge a hefty fee for. I’ve only ever used sole use properties and I like that Airbnb is much more flexible than traditional holiday let companies, especially in school holidays.

KnittingNeedles · 11/03/2023 10:06

And as others have said, when you have kids like mine who needed a set bedtime, hotels weren't an option. We couldn't just "keep them up" because we'd still be woken at 5.30 or 6am the next morning, and they would be little ratbags for the rest of the day due to lack of sleep. Air bnb or similar lets you put them to bed and then watch telly in the lounge, order a takeaway or do whatever you like without the need to creep around a darkened hotel room every evening after 7.30pm.

Kranke · 11/03/2023 10:10

I love them. I wouldn’t go away otherwise. We have a young toddler who goes to bed at 1930. If we stayed in a hotel, we would also have to go to bed at that time and eat a sandwich or something for dinner. We’d also have to bring so much stuff as there wouldn’t be a washer dryer.

Cooroo · 11/03/2023 10:14

I'm travelling to Italy alone. I found an Airbnb near centre of Florence inhabited by 2 women - much cheaper than a hotel plus I get locals who can hopefully give me tips. I can't wait!

dangermousesfriend · 11/03/2023 10:48

I've use them when they work out cheaper than a hotel which isn't always the case.
We went to Spain last year and found the same apartment on Air B&B and booking.com. I went through Booking.com as I could chose the free cancellation option and not have to worry too much about cleaning.
I do not get the cleaning thing at all. If I'm paying to stay somewhere and paying cleaning fee, why the hell should I leave it spotless?! (I won't leave it dirty but don't want to do more than a cursory wipe around).
I wouldn't feel comfortable staying in someone's home if they're there too, but I can see how that would be great for a lot of people.

Lcb123 · 11/03/2023 10:54

It used to be a much cheaper way to get a bedroom, particularly in expensive cities. But now I think airbnb prices are usually on a par with cheaper hotels. I don’t mind it if I literally just need a bed, for example if I was going to a wedding

3WildOnes · 11/03/2023 10:55

I use airbnb loads. I've never stayed in one that is someone's home. They have all been holiday lets. I hate staying in hotels with only one room. I like to be able to sit up with my husband and have a glass wine once the kids are in bed.

TheGenerousGardener · 11/03/2023 10:56

Are you referring specifically to Airbnb properties or self catering? It's not clear.

Fairislefandango · 11/03/2023 11:06

YABU. It's just a platform for holiday lettings. I'm always very surprised by the perfectly normal things that lots of MNers 'feel funny' about. I'm not a big fan of hotels tbh. I prefer to have a house or apartment because it gives you private space to hang out in, rather than just your bedroom. Plus it's mostly cheaper. I don't find the idea of holidaying in a rented property I don't own remotely odd.

Elphame · 11/03/2023 11:11

Airbnb is just a marketing platform and one I don't list my holiday let on. for several reasons.

Nor do I rent through it if I want a holiday cottage.

Motheranddaughter · 11/03/2023 11:13

Definitely not a fan
Much prefer a nice hotel

GMOOH2023 · 11/03/2023 11:20

TheGenerousGardener · 11/03/2023 10:56

Are you referring specifically to Airbnb properties or self catering? It's not clear.

Indeed. MN seems to have a strange antipathy to "Airbnb" specifically and yet self-catering properties available to rent on the numerous other listing sites are fine.

If you find a property on Airbnb it is highly likely that it is advertised on other platforms - and vice versa.

It's still the same property!

Bubbinsmakesthree · 11/03/2023 11:29

user1465390476 · 11/03/2023 08:48

Also Airbnbs are decimating the housing market for people in some parts of the UK. I don’t want to be part of the reason why local people are having to move away from their families. I’d rather find a nice family run local hotel.

I try to be quite selective with airbnbs for that reason and try to avoid properties that I think could otherwise have been someone’s home.

Staying in a barn conversion on a farm where Airbnb has provided an easy route for a farmer to advertise a holiday let, diversify their income and bring money into the local economy? I think Airbnb is great for that.

Airbnbs in places like Barcelona, Edinburgh, Cornwall where people have bought up loads of properties to rent on Airbnb and take it out of the local housing market? That’s more of a problem.

CornishGem1975 · 11/03/2023 11:33

I've stayed in loads but never somebody's home. That's few and far between now. It's mainly holiday lets.

AndrexPuppy · 11/03/2023 11:39

I’ve had good experiences with them but I only ever use ‘superhosts’ and whole property listings, so I do play it safe.

Movinghouseatlast · 11/03/2023 11:40

I think being asked to clean is a myth. Obviously you tidy up after yourself but I have never stayed in a holiday cottage that has asked me to do any cleaning, I've never seen it in a listing either.

I think people misunderstand the requirement to leave it clean. This actually means don't trash it! I have seen absolute horror stories of shit all over the floor, pen marks on sofas, hair dye on carpet, broken furniture. The review system is there to highlight people who really are did respectful, not people who don't wash up.

TheGenerousGardener · 11/03/2023 12:06

GMOOH2023 · 11/03/2023 11:20

Indeed. MN seems to have a strange antipathy to "Airbnb" specifically and yet self-catering properties available to rent on the numerous other listing sites are fine.

If you find a property on Airbnb it is highly likely that it is advertised on other platforms - and vice versa.

It's still the same property!

Show quote history

Yep, and it's almost always cheaper elsewhere.

elodiesmith · 11/03/2023 12:12

'But I don’t want to cook nice dinners for my family on holiday, I do that 350+ other days of the year.
Surely going on holiday is about having a rest'

@Fairyliz sure, if you want to go out for dinner - go out. Some families with kids prefer to lounge at their own pool at our house (without sharing it with other guests like you do at the hotel) and then cook dinner on a Webber bbq overlooking a sunset.

Also it doesn't need to be dinners - we have a barista quality coffee machine so they can make a fresh coffee in the mornings (we provide milks and fresh coffee beans).

The options are all there. More options than a hotel can offer.

On another note, sorry you have to cook dinner every single day. Wish you family would contribute.

DaveyJonesLocker · 11/03/2023 12:19

I have a pain the arse of a dog and toddler. I always book somewhere with private secure outdoor space. Although usually with holiday cottages

BambamD · 11/03/2023 12:23

I’m actually quite shocked at the replies , I thought everyone does Airbnbs now!! I absolutely love them, I find hotels boring and bland even some of the more expensive ones.
we’ve stayed in Airbnbs all over the world and never had a bad experience . I like the freedom, space and the culture you get from them. To me a hotels and hotel rooms are exactly the same all around the world.
And don’t fry me started on All inclusives … my idea of hell on earth 😂😂