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Why would I want to stay with some rando on vacation?

nlh 7y ago
Because it's often an excellent experience and makes the vacation better. I rented out a bedroom in my 2BR apartment in NYC for several years and it was truly a wonderful experience. I had a one-week minimum and therefore hosted almost entirely tourists visiting NYC from overseas (as opposed to random people in NYC who needed a place to crash for a night). With very very few exceptions, I met warm friendly people. They liked have a local in the same place to talk about plans and get suggestions, I liked some new faces to have coffee with in the morning. Everyone won.
artursapek 7y ago
I stayed in a room in Berlin once. It was nice to get to know a local a bit and get tips on what to go see. If you want a sterile experience, book a hotel.
- cycrutchfield 7y ago
  Hotels are often located in touristy areas and lack nice amenities like kitchens. Is it that hard to understand that there exists demand for whole-home vacation rentals?
  - artursapek 7y ago
    I wasn't arguing that that demand doesn't exist; I've rented out whole houses on airbnb myself.
asah 7y ago
Homestays are generally great: 1. interesting, respectful people / less "sterile" environments. 2. actually helpful in navigating the area. 3. broadens everybody's views (read: politics) to meet other people in person, see how they live and understand their viewpoints. 4. appliances/etc tend to work better, because they need them themselves. I've had nothing but good and great experiences with homestays. I've also hosted which has been ok-good: 100% respectful and kind, but not always that interesting. (I've been hosting/traveling for 15 years i.e. long before AirBnB)
- lordgrenville 7y ago
  Exactly this. I'd add that homestays allow me to pay for just what I need - a comfortable/safe/private room to stay in. A lot of the extras you're paying for at a hotel are totally unnecessary for me: -someone making the bed + tidying the room -fancy buffet -facilities like gym/spa/TV -general feeling of 'luxury' Obviously there are some people who do care about these things, but as I don't I'd rather not pay for them.
- therealx 7y ago
  Amen, the communal aspect is well worth it. Especially due to BnB's (not AirBnBs) are a bit more expensive, so the community is self selecting. You have to want to be there.
arrrg 7y ago
Some do, some don’t. I despise having to communicate with people.

nlh 7y ago

Because it's often an excellent experience and makes the vacation better. I rented out a bedroom in my 2BR apartment in NYC for several years and it was truly a wonderful experience. I had a one-week minimum and therefore hosted almost entirely tourists visiting NYC from overseas (as opposed to random people in NYC who needed a place to crash for a night). With very very few exceptions, I met warm friendly people. They liked have a local in the same place to talk about plans and get suggestions, I liked some new faces to have coffee with in the morning. Everyone won.

artursapek 7y ago

I stayed in a room in Berlin once. It was nice to get to know a local a bit and get tips on what to go see. If you want a sterile experience, book a hotel.

cycrutchfield 7y ago
Hotels are often located in touristy areas and lack nice amenities like kitchens. Is it that hard to understand that there exists demand for whole-home vacation rentals?
- artursapek 7y ago
  I wasn't arguing that that demand doesn't exist; I've rented out whole houses on airbnb myself.

asah 7y ago

Homestays are generally great: 1. interesting, respectful people / less "sterile" environments. 2. actually helpful in navigating the area. 3. broadens everybody's views (read: politics) to meet other people in person, see how they live and understand their viewpoints. 4. appliances/etc tend to work better, because they need them themselves. I've had nothing but good and great experiences with homestays. I've also hosted which has been ok-good: 100% respectful and kind, but not always that interesting. (I've been hosting/traveling for 15 years i.e. long before AirBnB)

lordgrenville 7y ago
Exactly this. I'd add that homestays allow me to pay for just what I need - a comfortable/safe/private room to stay in. A lot of the extras you're paying for at a hotel are totally unnecessary for me: -someone making the bed + tidying the room -fancy buffet -facilities like gym/spa/TV -general feeling of 'luxury' Obviously there are some people who do care about these things, but as I don't I'd rather not pay for them.
therealx 7y ago
Amen, the communal aspect is well worth it. Especially due to BnB's (not AirBnBs) are a bit more expensive, so the community is self selecting. You have to want to be there.

arrrg 7y ago

Some do, some don’t. I despise having to communicate with people.