AirBNB - Share your experiences here

[burmans]

Clearly not then

 

[fairbasa]

I don't have gift card experience sorry, however I too was interested in that that specific offer and site mentioned (GiftCardMall), until I read the thread over at OzBargain. The consensus was they're unreliable.

A quick Google of them turns up almost exclusively negative reviews. What's your risk appetite?

 

[fairbasa]

Something I mentioned in the referral credit thread but which I think is important info to anyone thinking of using a referral or first time user credit: Any credit you use will not be refunded if you cancel even a flexible booking or reduce a stay duration...nor will the service fee. I wanted to shorten an 8 night stay down to 7 nights, but because I'd used a $45 referral credit, I would get almost nothing back for doing so...so I left it as is.

For example:

- You book a room for 1 night (flexible) for $105 + $20 service fee = $125
- Use the $45 travel credit, bringing the total payable to $80 ($60 for the room + $20 service fee)
- If you cancel the booking, you will not be refunded $60 (the amount for the room minus the service fee) - as anyone would expect. You will be refunded $60-45 = $15

I have absolutely no idea why Airbnb think they can withhold money from you that you never even paid. If I bought a $50 t-shirt on sale for $40, I would want my $40 back...not $30. There's a thread over at OzBargain about it and a change.org petition also.

Really don't like the way they conduct their business.

 

[burmans]

I don't have gift card experience sorry, however I too was interested in that that specific offer and site mentioned (GiftCardMall), until I read the thread over at OzBargain. The consensus was they're unreliable.

A quick Google of them turns up almost exclusively negative reviews. What's your risk appetite?

Point taken but its not only GiftCardMall where this opportunity arises, Amazon had it yesterday and they are probably a little more reliable!

 

[Quickstatus]

Would you book an Airbnb property if there were ANY negative /reviews

 

[RB]

Would you book an Airbnb property if there were ANY negative /reviews

Yes. I think it is a bit like Trip Advisor, it becomes pretty apparent which reviewers have an axe to grind/unfair expectations.

 

[Quickstatus]

When vacating an Airbnb premises how clean should the property be?.
Does that change if there is an Airbnb cleaning fee?

 

[RB]

When vacating an Airbnb premises how clean should the property be?.
Does that change if there is an Airbnb cleaning fee?

The places we have stayed have generally outlined their expectations either in the general information kit or in discussion when they have greeted us. It can also depend on the facilities offered-we have stayed at places with a dishwasher & they have instructed to set it going as we have left the place. In our experience some places are very detailed in their explanation of local council recycling & provide the bags/crates.
I don't think the "cleaning fee" is necessarily an accurate gauge of expectations-some places have inflated fees (nightly rate looks cheaper), some get paid cleaners in, others do it themselves

 

[dajop]

When vacating an Airbnb premises how clean should the property be?.
Does that change if there is an Airbnb cleaning fee?

We're just entering the Airbnb game as "host" with our holiday house that we've recently bought. The advice we received from some of the holiday rental agents is expect guests to leave the place as they found it!

Having said that, there more general advice was to expect guest to put rubbish in wheelie bin, dishes washed and put away (although we're OK if sitting clean in dishwasher), kitchen/stove left clean and free of food stuffs, fridge emptied and particularly that the BBQ is cleaned. As an owner, main concern is food related mess. The rest (vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, mopping floors etc) is what the cleaning fee is for. We'll see how this changes after our first few guest stays.

We've taken the same approach when renting apartments (well before we went to the other side), don't leave food related mess.

But I'm not so naive to think these expectations will always be met.

I have seen with a number of other properties advertised in the area, that the BBQ is a particularly touchy topic - many seem to note in T&C that $50 will be withheld for cleaning BBQ. Whether that happens in reality or not, I'm not so sure.

 

[UP4014]

My thoughts, I don't use Airbnb, I wouldn't like to live next door to a hotel why should I do that to my neighbours who bought wanting some peace and quite.

I have two villas, one in NSW and one in Qld, one complex had two Airbnb listings which I checked before I bought and used the listings as a way of devaluing the purchase price. I then pointed out to everyone in the place our values were low and someone was using 'our facilities' as a hotel and hey presto, all the other residents did the work for me to shut them down.

As soon as the listings were removed values went up.

I think it is in many, I agree perhaps not all, circumstances unfair on the other residents and nearby neighbours.

 

[auriga]

Have done a couple of times in Seoul, and Hong Kong.
Worked out fine, but I agree, very important to read the reviews, and do your research.

I prefer those that are "professionally run", meaning the apartments are let out as a business venture, often with the host running multiple properties.

 

[andye]

Just in the middle of first airbnb. We are renovating and the 6 of us needed to be out of house for 3 nights. Booked a unit a few kms down the coast. 'Checkin' was a shambles with incorrect information on location of key given repeatedly-not good with children approaching bedtime
Eventually sorted out via the online chat (frustrating to have no verbal contact) and it was decent accommodation at half the price of alternatives

 

[get me outta here]

I have done stays in NYC, ANC, SYD, SEA, YVR, MEL, AUH. I always choose a 'Superhost', and ask polite not too invasive questions about which street are they on etc so that I can get very good feel for it. So far, it has all been a very positive experience and saved a lot of money. I always clear up after myself and put the rubbish out. Have always ended up on good terms.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

I've used Airbnb a fair bit. I just find that the bed pillows can be a bit of a hit or miss.

Some are great while others are impossible to sleep on. Unlike a hotel, you can't ask for more.
Otherwise overall a nice change from hotels.

 

[Buzzard]

I recently looked at using Airbnb in NYC but changed my mind. At similar price to what I paid for Hilton Garden Inn, I thought why should I share a bathroom, get just a bedroom, have to clean up etc
My hotel room was very reasonable, cooked breakfast each morning, room made up every day and on the morning of early departure I just walked out.

 

[RB]

I recently looked at using Airbnb in NYC but changed my mind. At similar price to what I paid for Hilton Garden Inn, I thought why should I share a bathroom, get just a bedroom, have to clean up etc
My hotel room was very reasonable, cooked breakfast each morning, room made up every day and on the morning of early departure I just walked out.

New York seems to be very different with many articles re apartments/share accommodation. Another that comes to mind is Amsterdam with the great rates on Priceline for 4 & 5 star hotels

 

[drron]

It's always been illegal to let most apartments in NYC for less than 30 days.I believe they are now being a bit more aggressive in fining owners.
That said there are a few which are legal.Caveat emptor

 

[get me outta here]

The law in NYC IS 30 days plus for an independent stay, and fewer days are OK if the owners are also in the home.

 

[VPS]

I've just spent six months in the UK and used airbnb quite a lot. There was one that I gave a very bad review to because the room did not look anything like the photos and the bed was incredibly uncomfortable. Two mattresses that were both sh!tty.

The only other bad experience I had was when the place I was staying in rural Wales suddenly had sparks coming out of the light switches in the middle of the night. I checked out the next day and the owner gave me a full refund except what airbnb charged her - didn't leave a review.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

There was one that I gave a very bad review to because the room did not look anything like the photos and the bed was incredibly uncomfortable.

Did the bad review get posted?

A number of acquaintances have said that their negative reviews weren't published.