What can we use that's not Air BnB?

[VivaLesTartes]

It's been an era since I booked a holiday to be honest with you. DH and I always used to use air BnB and had some wonderful trips But I'm hearing a lot of horror stories over the last couple of years and reviews for the site in general have dropped. I just can't really risk turning up to a place and it being non-existent or a pile of 💩 because I'm travelling with a baby. I looked at Vurbo as well but the reviews seem even worse for that. I know that probably makes me sound a bit silly, But genuinely haven't booked a UK holiday prior to Airbnb being the "big thing" or since it's apparent decline (other than some lovely holiday parks but that doesn't work for this trip)

Currently looking for a trip to Dublin. I just cannot imagine being in a hotel with the baby (18mo).

Or am I overthinking and air BnB is fine?

I have moved on from AirBnB. I have used for family holidays and work for the last maybe 6-8 years a LOT. But in my experience standards are slipping, so many people who are not 'professional' in approach. Last year and the year before led to compaints to AirBnB, one of which ended up with me walking out and seeking a nearby hotel instead.
Booking.com is still OK.
Other than that, direct via holiday cottage sites.
(I also bought a camper, so have drastically dropped how many nights accommodation in a building I use...)

Booking.com is now my default for holiday rental. But as always, read the reviews etc carefully.

Excellent I will check put booking.com

Plenty of holiday lets on other sites such as booking.com, sykes, cottages.com, not just cottages but usually lots of town centre flats etc too. More likely to get a professional/reputable let on those sites as they do tend to "vet" them rather than AirBNB which is a free for all. If you're still worried, just check the reviews on the professional sites - look for regular good reviews over a few years and avoid the ones with no reviews or which only have recent reviews - the proper sites are also usually better at dealing with fake reviews etc.

We've used AirBnB a couple of times and both were nightmares despite (now obviously fake) reviews on their site. But we've had nothing but good experiences using Sykes, cottages.com etc.

It may only be Cumbria but I was recommended Sally's Cottages by a friend. I booked through them and the host was fantastic.

Have you looked at the Dublin tourist information webpage. They often have recommended for local accommodation providers

I have used Airbnb all over the world and never had an issue.
You can also look at Booking.com but be aware there are quite a few scams associated with that site so be cautious.
You can also try sites like Sykes cottages ot cottages.com or more regional ones

Booking has the same problems as airb &B in that it's just a listing site - no one checks the property or has any idea if the listing is accurate. I think you'd be more than fine in a hotel - staff are trained to accommodate babies and toddlers and you wouldn't have to do any cooking or cleaning. If you want more space though I can understand going self catering and for that I'd use a lettings company like Sykes or maybe something local to the area, where the company actually manages the properties and bookings. Or ring the local tourist information to see if they have anything listed or can recommend a holiday let company.

If you prefer a bit more flexibility because of baby but are happy in a hotel environment I can recommend the Staycity chain in Dublin. I’ve used them for work and you get a small kitchen workspace etc. having said that I use Airbnb lots and if you are careful with reviews and communication it’s always been fine.

I agree with others and use booking.com. Sometimes, the same property is advertised on there and also on AirBNB. You can filter by apartment, aparthotel, B&B, what bed types, how many rooms etc.

Once I've narrowed down my list, I then check on tripadvisor to see actual guests photos and reviews of the accomodation.

I'd still check Airbnb @VivaLesTartes

these could be a starting point?

@Ursulla yeah my head's really heading towards hotel to be honest, I just need to think it through a bit with our schedule because she wakes up so early and goes to bed before our dinner time.
A house/apartment would me a we were not stuck in the room with her after she went to bed but I'm just not finding much that fits us and there are so many nice hotels.

Thank you all for the suggestions! Even this trips being difficult it gives me some ideas of where to look in future.

I forgot to add. Sometimes when I've found a property on AirBNB/booking.com etc, I've then been able to find their direct site. You often get a better deal by going to the company/person directly and cutting out the 3rd party fees.

I generally google the area to see what’s available, and often book directly with the owners. For example, wanted to stay in a lodge on the Lake District, so looked up ‘lodges in Lake District’ and it came up with lots of suggestions. ’

We use Hoseasons or Cottages.com a number of times a year. If you have an area in mind maybe we could make some suggestions?

I've used....

Cottages.com
Booking.com
Hoseasons

I do find airBnB fine too though

I've been using Simply Owners for a decade or so.

The only platform I’ve had a problem with was booking.com. We rented a ‘luxury apartment’ (the whole apartment) and when we arrived we found that it was actually one bedroom in what looked like a shared crack den. We walked out and tried to contact the owner (no joy). We then tried to contact booking.com directly and they didn’t respond to a single message.

We never got a refund, and had to fork out for a hotel.

Nothing wrong with Airbnb providing you check reviews carefully and only book if it's routinely high scores.
I tend to use booking.com more because it seems easier to check cancellation periods and it's less personal than airbnb but I have friends who have had an issue with a booking through them as well.

You can use the more upmarket agencies- we has a lovely cottage through Unique cottages and I would definitely use them again, but I think they are Scotland only. Cumbrian cottages is good for the Lake District. However cancellation periods are usually a lot stricter through the proper letting agents.

I normally look for the property I find on Vrbo or Booking.com on the web in general.

Quite often I find a direct site you can book and it can be cheaper as they don't have the agency fees.

Vrbo gives you the full address, easy to look it up on Google map to see if it fits the description on the listing.
You can also see how long a landlord is already using the side.

The K club just outside Dublin has lovely lodges to let and use of all the hotel facilities. Special treat!