5 ms·

Yeah this is my take as well. I used to Airbnb every time I travelled out of state for work, but the last couple of times has convinced me that it’s no longer a

Yeah this is my take as well. I used to Airbnb every time I travelled out of state for work, but the last couple of times has convinced me that it’s no longer a real option. Scummy contracts, poorly maintained rentals, and nonsense followups seem to be the standard, and it’s basically the same cost as a decent hotel room. I can’t see a reason today not to just use the hotel. Sucks, because my initial experiences were really good, it only started to be awful after property management companies started buying cheap homes to use as airbnb rentals.

infamouscow 3y ago
I'm curious. Are you using hotels, hostels, or maybe something else?
- tsuujin 3y ago
  I actually really like hostels, I always seem to meet someone interesting to chat with, but normally my best option seems to be a hotel. You do get what you pay for though. A Motel 6 is going to be lousy in general but if you opt for something a little nicer you do tend to get a cleaner room and better service.
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
jcims 3y ago
For business travel I’m not going to risk it. But for personal travel I’m still finding the vast majority of properties are well maintained and, for me anyway, multitudes more comfortable than a hotel room. Just the fact that i can stop at a store and buy a hundred dollars worth of groceries that will last me three days is worth it. The number one issue I have with airbnb is that you are completely on your own to resolve issues with the host. And some hosts are scumbags.
- randycupertino 3y ago
  > For business travel I’m not going to risk it. Things just as simple as arriving become major pains. "Oh the key code isn't working, I'm sorry, I'll send the handyman to meet you, he's at dinner then he's 40 minutes away so he'll be there in two hours." I'm on vacation, I want to show up when I show up. Hotels are nice because you can just check in when you get there. After one key code box that wasn't working and another where they were clearly renting the airbnb in secret from their neighbors and had a bunch of rules like no carrying your luggage through the common areas (um, okay how are we supposed to bring our stuff in then?), I'm done with airbnb. Hotels might not be as sexy but at least they functionally work.
  - deleted 3y ago
    [deleted]
  - tsuujin 3y ago
    My last airbnb ended up being in a part of town under heavy construction, in a townhouse that had a shared wall with people who clearly were not renters. I got there jet lagged and tired, to discover there was no ac and the house had no fans. No ceiling fans, standing, anything. It was hot as shit. When I finally got to sleep, the people I shared a wall with turned their music up real loud. I called to complain and nothing was done. They played that music all night. After getting no sleep I dragged myself into work the next day exhausted and on a three hour time difference. Airbnb is too much of a risk period. My Airbnb had fantastic reviews that did not reflect reality at all, and when I posted a negative review it was simply deleted. Hotels indeed at least functionally work. Never again, airbnb.
    - jcims 3y ago
      My last airbnb was a beautiful four bedroom home on a secluded lakefront property in Maine. It was beautifully decorated, topped off with nice little amenities throughout the house. There were several canoes and kayaks available for use, plus all sorts of wakeboards and skis that we could use if we rented a boat. There were a number of swings and hammocks hung throughout the property and a large fire ring with birch cutoffs for seating. The hosts were very helpful the whole way and we had an amazing time. I’ve had bad experiences too, including chargebacks and starting the process of suing a host for fraud, but I’m still rolling the dice.

infamouscow 3y ago

I'm curious. Are you using hotels, hostels, or maybe something else?

tsuujin 3y ago
I actually really like hostels, I always seem to meet someone interesting to chat with, but normally my best option seems to be a hotel. You do get what you pay for though. A Motel 6 is going to be lousy in general but if you opt for something a little nicer you do tend to get a cleaner room and better service.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]

jcims 3y ago

For business travel I’m not going to risk it. But for personal travel I’m still finding the vast majority of properties are well maintained and, for me anyway, multitudes more comfortable than a hotel room. Just the fact that i can stop at a store and buy a hundred dollars worth of groceries that will last me three days is worth it. The number one issue I have with airbnb is that you are completely on your own to resolve issues with the host. And some hosts are scumbags.

randycupertino 3y ago
> For business travel I’m not going to risk it. Things just as simple as arriving become major pains. "Oh the key code isn't working, I'm sorry, I'll send the handyman to meet you, he's at dinner then he's 40 minutes away so he'll be there in two hours." I'm on vacation, I want to show up when I show up. Hotels are nice because you can just check in when you get there. After one key code box that wasn't working and another where they were clearly renting the airbnb in secret from their neighbors and had a bunch of rules like no carrying your luggage through the common areas (um, okay how are we supposed to bring our stuff in then?), I'm done with airbnb. Hotels might not be as sexy but at least they functionally work.
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
- tsuujin 3y ago
  My last airbnb ended up being in a part of town under heavy construction, in a townhouse that had a shared wall with people who clearly were not renters. I got there jet lagged and tired, to discover there was no ac and the house had no fans. No ceiling fans, standing, anything. It was hot as shit. When I finally got to sleep, the people I shared a wall with turned their music up real loud. I called to complain and nothing was done. They played that music all night. After getting no sleep I dragged myself into work the next day exhausted and on a three hour time difference. Airbnb is too much of a risk period. My Airbnb had fantastic reviews that did not reflect reality at all, and when I posted a negative review it was simply deleted. Hotels indeed at least functionally work. Never again, airbnb.
  - jcims 3y ago
    My last airbnb was a beautiful four bedroom home on a secluded lakefront property in Maine. It was beautifully decorated, topped off with nice little amenities throughout the house. There were several canoes and kayaks available for use, plus all sorts of wakeboards and skis that we could use if we rented a boat. There were a number of swings and hammocks hung throughout the property and a large fire ring with birch cutoffs for seating. The hosts were very helpful the whole way and we had an amazing time. I’ve had bad experiences too, including chargebacks and starting the process of suing a host for fraud, but I’m still rolling the dice.