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Any advice? Going to be in Cleveland doing the cheap Airbnb thing for over a week. However, I'm no millennial and that seems to be the typical demographic.
Are you renting the whole place or just a room? We rent the whole house, and haven't had any issues. I read all the reviews, google map the neighborhood and check other sites like VRBO for reviews there.
I'm in my late 40s and started using ABNB about 3 years ago.
I definitely look for properties where there is no expectation of socializing with the owner. Only once was I wrong and it was a little awkward; I just have no interest. I know that runs counter to the supposed spirit of ABNB but whatever.
I haven't used Airbnb or VRBO yet but I plan to, soon.
Definitely looking for those situations where I can be in splendid solitude. I also have to be sure the unit hasn't had dogs or cats in it. I wish I wasn't allergic but I am.
One tip: Watch for hidden add-on fees. The rates quoted are sometimes jacked up quite a bit without you realizing it. At least a hotel doesn't charge me a $75 cleaning fee.
My wife and I are GenXers (40-somethings) and have been doing AB&B for multiples of years across multiples of countries and continents. I never would have pegged it as a "millennial" thing. Couchsurfing, yes, AB&B, not usually (the exception is renting a "room") and VRBO Never.
We couldn't be happier with our experiences and have yet to have a Bad experience.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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As a 30+ yr Guest Home traveler (and occasional Air B&B), I could not be happier to NEVER have another Air B&B experience (profit vs hosting priority) . YMMV (Ours 20+ have been terrible)
Staying in b&bs in the U.K. and also in Quebec has left me with an appreciation of Holiday Inns and the like. Where I know the hot water will work, the bathroom likely complies with the fire regulations, there is some sound proofing and I do not need to socialise. Will not even think of trying Airb&b.
Yes, Homeaway is usually less expensive. No service charge as I remember. On the other hand, their booking system is not as smooth as AirBNB. A lot depends on the personality of the owner.
Any advice? Going to be in Cleveland doing the cheap Airbnb thing for over a week. However, I'm no millennial and that seems to be the typical demographic.
A couple of thoughts, including some things that I think are misconceptions:
1. It's not really that cheap but I've thought of it as good value. Generally I expect to get a small apartment for about the price of a hotel.
2. I've never rented a room in a home occupied by others, nor have i ever had interaction with the owner except at the very beginning to give me the keys. Although home sharing may have been the original intent, a huge number of properties are 'private' rentals of entire houses/apartment/studio type things. Even professional hotel / rental companies use airbnb as a booking/sales channel.
3. Airbnb spans widely from:
-an informal 'couch' kind of arrangement (I don't even see these as that's not what I'm looking for)
to
-luxury homes that are only rented (no personal belongings) and are professionally cleaned and managed (you don't meet or see the owner)
...and everything imaginable between. Some are rented out part of the year and the owner keeps some personal things but they are largely depersonalized for the months that they are renting them out. Some the owner has gone out of town for the weekend and all of their stuff is around. I've stayed in professionally and exclusively rented ones, part year rentals and 'weekenders'.
I've never had a bad experience and all were very much as advertised and as the photos portrayed. I tend to be at the middle of the market, price-wise. One was slightly too 'personal' for my tastes - not cluttered but it was a small apartment with an owner who had lots of stuff which was neatly packed away but still, it was pretty well packed. However the owner gave us lots of great tips before he left and the building and position in the neighborhood was great. Hotels are designed to be consistent - you know what to expect and hotels aim to meet your expectations. Airbnb is not at all consistent and you need to approach is with a more flexible mind.
I have stayed in a few that I would say were absolutely great and a far better experience than you could ever get at a hotel. The main selling point for airbnb in my view is that you have a more 'authentic' experience in that it can feel like you actually live in the city or area that you are visiting. I do not expect to save loads of money as compared to other options.
Yes, Homeaway is usually less expensive. No service charge as I remember. On the other hand, their booking system is not as smooth as AirBNB. A lot depends on the personality of the owner.
There is a Service Charge now that Expedia purchased Home Away. The booking experience is not a easy on most Home Away/VRBO listing because in many cases the owner has to approve the booking while some listings do feature Instant Book.
To gain the best experience from a Home Away/VRBO listing, rent directly from an owner, not a property manager. Check out the reviews, look for recent ones and don't settle for 4-5, the more the better. Ask the owner if the pictures are recent, check the map of the location carefully as HA/VRBO has started to show properties up to 50 miles away from the supposed location. READ the property description and listing to be sure it offers what you are looking for. Many so called "Travel Experts" tell you to try negotiate the price lower as all owners will negotiate, nothing could be further from the truth. You can ask but don't bet on a reduction.
Now if you like the property but don't want to pay the service fee, find the property listed elsewhere as most owners that rent either have a Facebook Page or their own website. Do a search on the title or the lead picture, undoubtably you will find the same vacation rental elsewhere.
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