Is staying in an airbnb awkward?

[pheli]

Going to a new city soon and have opted to stay in an airbnb. It’s a room with an ensuite in someone’s home. Breakfast is included. The room is cleaned daily like a hotel.

We went for this option because it seemed safer and slightly cheaper than a hotel as it’s in Nairobi.

I’ve only stayed in AirBnbs in Europe but it’s never been awkward.

May I ask though, what made you feel you’d be safer in someone’s private home than in a hotel, in Nairobi?

I've done this a few times and never been awkward. Experienced hosts are good at being discreet and making it comfortable for you.

It’s in a home with security in a gated community. I suppose I should have caveated my comment with “seemed safer compared to hotels in a comparable price bracket”.

Glad you’ve had good experiences though!

I've done it a couple of times and both experiences were fine. One shared the bathroom with the hosts, and that wouldn't be my first choice in future. Although it worked out in that instance it could have been very awkward. A good host will work out what end of the sociable spectrum you are from "eager to chat and find out more about the culture and location" to "leave me alone to get in with it", and I would guess you have read the reviews to understand how good the host is!

I stay in airbnbs all the time, but always chose the 'entire place' option as I'm not sociable, don't want to have to talk to someone, and also don't want to feel like I'm in someone's home. I really dislike B and B's for that reason.

I've done it once. It felt slightly awkward being in their home but they were great and made us feel really comfortable.

The bit I found weird was being served breakfast by the hosts (they advertised as B&B).

I had a similar worry when booking something a bit different for my Munich trip. I ended up going for a shared place through https://www.friendsquarters.de/en/shared-apartment-rooms-in-munich/ and it worked really well. Everyone had their own space, and the setup didn’t feel intrusive at all. Easier than a full Airbnb or hostel in some ways, and I liked that there were people around but no pressure to chat or hang out.

How many nights will you be there for?

I stayed here. Very safe. Airport style Screening of all luggage and people into the complex . Access to supermarket and food hall etc. Great trips organised by hotel safari tea farm etc. I would trust more than any private home unless i knew the host directly. .
Trademark - Luxury Hotel in Nairobi Kenya - The Village Market, Gigiri share.google/bIfXs7T0WytrbS4tA

We've done it a couple of times in London some years ago. Both were in a fabulous position which would have cost a massive amount more in a hotel. The owners were lovely and very considerate of our privacy. These days I must admit I only book entire places.