Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay(cbc.ca)
cbc.ca
Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/airbnb-montreal-aj-host-suspended-accounts-1.5252233
28 comments
Can someone explain to me why I, a hypothetical traveller, would choose to stay in someone's Airbnb instead of a similarly priced hotel? I simply don't understand the attraction. I've only heard negative things about Airbnb, their business practices, dishonest hosts/listings, etc. At least with a hotel there is some semblance of responsibility. If you walk into your hotel room and there is a big pile of dog shit on the mattress, they'll give you a new room or send some staff up to remedy the situation. Why would I ever want to bunk in Joe Shmoe's bedroom?
>>why I, a hypothetical traveller, would choose to stay in someone's Airbnb instead of a similarly priced hotel
Because in a lot of places those don't exist. Hotel is at least 2x the price of a decent Airbnb. Not to mention that you get places on Airbnb which you wouldn't find anywhere else - last month we stayed at a farm in Wales where the owner was renting out a whole converted barn on his property, it was absolutely magical and I can't even imagine comparing it to a hotel or even a standardised "cottage" like there are many. And again, the price was unbeatable.
Because in a lot of places those don't exist. Hotel is at least 2x the price of a decent Airbnb. Not to mention that you get places on Airbnb which you wouldn't find anywhere else - last month we stayed at a farm in Wales where the owner was renting out a whole converted barn on his property, it was absolutely magical and I can't even imagine comparing it to a hotel or even a standardised "cottage" like there are many. And again, the price was unbeatable.
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Airbnb and hotels are just for two different purposes. When I’m traveling for business and need a quick in and out in a downtown location, hotels win. When I’m looking for a place for 6 friends to stay together on vacation, a hotel just doesn’t come close to offering that. I’ve never, ever had a bad Airbnb experience, though I don’t doubt it happens at the low end of the market where these apartments seemed like they existed.
> instead of a similarly priced hotel
There might be some specific exceptions (not enough to support a business) but generally you cannot find a similarly priced hotel with the same level of comfort. Not within a factor of 2, or maybe more. With Airbnb many costs become externalities.
Of course you already knew this.
I never would stay in an Airbnb because it's always been obvious that Airbnb cannot and has no desire to properly vet the hosts; and I'm not a gambler. Not in that way at least. I don't want to ruin a trip by taking the chance to save a few bucks.
There might be some specific exceptions (not enough to support a business) but generally you cannot find a similarly priced hotel with the same level of comfort. Not within a factor of 2, or maybe more. With Airbnb many costs become externalities.
Of course you already knew this.
I never would stay in an Airbnb because it's always been obvious that Airbnb cannot and has no desire to properly vet the hosts; and I'm not a gambler. Not in that way at least. I don't want to ruin a trip by taking the chance to save a few bucks.
1. You get better value for your money on an Airbnb if the Airbnb is honest and good. Stick with ones with high ratings and many reviews, and talk to your host if there is a problem.
2. Price. We've hosted via Airbnb for a year. We rent out a room and bathroom for $30 a night. It takes us a half hour to flip the room, plus an occasional outlay of supplies like soap, etc., so this is a good investment for me. You won't find that price anywhere in or near the major city closest to me.
2. Price. We've hosted via Airbnb for a year. We rent out a room and bathroom for $30 a night. It takes us a half hour to flip the room, plus an occasional outlay of supplies like soap, etc., so this is a good investment for me. You won't find that price anywhere in or near the major city closest to me.
>1. You get better value for your money on an Airbnb if the Airbnb is honest and good. Stick with ones with high ratings and many reviews, and talk to your host if there is a problem.
Sure, the issue is the if (which should be guaranteed by Airbnb and isn't).
>2. Price. We've hosted via Airbnb for a year. We rent out a room and bathroom for $30 a night. It takes us a half hour to flip the room, plus an occasional outlay of supplies like soap, etc., so this is a good investment for me. You won't find that price anywhere in or near the major city closest to me.
Your case is the "right" way, you have a spare room in your house and you rent it, but a large part of Airbnb accomodations (even the good ones) are like the ones described in the article, a self-standing apartment (actually - if it is good - more suitable to a family than a hotel room) somewhere you never meet the host, not when you arrive (either combination lock with code sent via text or physical keys in a box with a combination lock) not when you go away, if you have an issue of any kind during the night, let's say that the electricity goes off or there is no water all you have is a mobile phone number (and it has to be seen if anyone will answer your call).
For domestic travels (and with a car) you still have some ways out in case of issues (an hotel nearby, if any), but think of an international travel (in a country you don't speak the local language) and with no available infividual means of transportation ...
Sure, the issue is the if (which should be guaranteed by Airbnb and isn't).
>2. Price. We've hosted via Airbnb for a year. We rent out a room and bathroom for $30 a night. It takes us a half hour to flip the room, plus an occasional outlay of supplies like soap, etc., so this is a good investment for me. You won't find that price anywhere in or near the major city closest to me.
Your case is the "right" way, you have a spare room in your house and you rent it, but a large part of Airbnb accomodations (even the good ones) are like the ones described in the article, a self-standing apartment (actually - if it is good - more suitable to a family than a hotel room) somewhere you never meet the host, not when you arrive (either combination lock with code sent via text or physical keys in a box with a combination lock) not when you go away, if you have an issue of any kind during the night, let's say that the electricity goes off or there is no water all you have is a mobile phone number (and it has to be seen if anyone will answer your call).
For domestic travels (and with a car) you still have some ways out in case of issues (an hotel nearby, if any), but think of an international travel (in a country you don't speak the local language) and with no available infividual means of transportation ...
> Sure, the issue is the if (which should be guaranteed by Airbnb and isn't).
But in a hotel you're guaranteed a good experience? I've personally had much better luck with AirBnB than with hotels, in the same price range.
But in a hotel you're guaranteed a good experience? I've personally had much better luck with AirBnB than with hotels, in the same price range.
>But in a hotel you're guaranteed a good experience?
Usually, yes, and, additionally, you are going in a place that is surely registered with the local authorities, has been licensed to host you, follows a number of Laws (regarding - among the others - size of the rooms, safety, hygiene, preparation of food, etc.) that is human-presided and that has a lot to loose if it gets a "bad name".
Obviously if you are in the same price range, you are going to (you choose) a "better" AirBnb or a "worse" hotel.
A hotel has - again obviously - much higher running costs than a rented room in a house or than an apartment, as hotels tend to have personnel and pay them.
Conversely - viceversa - an AirBnB run "as a hotel" - has even greater costs (no economy of scale)than a hotel, only very often the owners (at least here, Italy) are not very good at math and if they operate according to the Law, once they have paid costs, commissions and taxes they find out they gave essentially invested a lot of money with very little return.
One or two spare rooms (like the one the parent poster described) inside one own's apartement and run by the family is what an Airbnb should be (but often isn't).
Usually, yes, and, additionally, you are going in a place that is surely registered with the local authorities, has been licensed to host you, follows a number of Laws (regarding - among the others - size of the rooms, safety, hygiene, preparation of food, etc.) that is human-presided and that has a lot to loose if it gets a "bad name".
Obviously if you are in the same price range, you are going to (you choose) a "better" AirBnb or a "worse" hotel.
A hotel has - again obviously - much higher running costs than a rented room in a house or than an apartment, as hotels tend to have personnel and pay them.
Conversely - viceversa - an AirBnB run "as a hotel" - has even greater costs (no economy of scale)than a hotel, only very often the owners (at least here, Italy) are not very good at math and if they operate according to the Law, once they have paid costs, commissions and taxes they find out they gave essentially invested a lot of money with very little return.
One or two spare rooms (like the one the parent poster described) inside one own's apartement and run by the family is what an Airbnb should be (but often isn't).
$30 a night plus a $20 cleaning fee and another 20 to Airbnb. Nah, I'll take a hotel.
We don't have a cleaning fee, and Airbnb adds a couple dollar fee to it that is comparable to tax.
High cleaning fees for basic places are a ripoff though.
High cleaning fees for basic places are a ripoff though.
Sometimes Airbnbs are cheaper priced than hotels in the same area. Also, they can provide a better experience. For example, I went on a trip to Pismo beach with roommates and we stayed in an Airbnb cottage on a hill, overlooking the whole area, with a fire pit.
No hotel would have been that fun to stay at for a trip. You go to Airbnb for a more "authentic" feel than the cookie-cutter, albeit convenient experience of a hotel.
No hotel would have been that fun to stay at for a trip. You go to Airbnb for a more "authentic" feel than the cookie-cutter, albeit convenient experience of a hotel.
I am currently staying in a detached house, to myself, in the country, for less than the cost of a hotel room in the nearest town. It is idyllic.
Historically I've stayed in rooms in apartments or houses and socialised with the hosts.
It sounds to me like you have a view of the world tainted by bad experiences. I prefer to live as if others are good.
You can usually quite easily pick out the professional fake-hotel style listings quite easily.
It helps a lot to not go for a popular place that would encourage investors.
Historically I've stayed in rooms in apartments or houses and socialised with the hosts.
It sounds to me like you have a view of the world tainted by bad experiences. I prefer to live as if others are good.
You can usually quite easily pick out the professional fake-hotel style listings quite easily.
It helps a lot to not go for a popular place that would encourage investors.
> It sounds to me like you have a view of the world tainted by bad experiences. I prefer to live as if others are good.
In this scenario is airbnb a "good" other or a "bad" one? I've read too many horror scenarios associated with this platform that I'm really reluctant to give them their 30% cut (of course the only way to do that is not to use them).
They assure both sides a good experience, but if one side fucks you over (bug-ridden room, or guests trashing your house in a drug orgy), they say "sorry, here's 10% of the damage you suffer to cover the inconvenience."..
In this scenario is airbnb a "good" other or a "bad" one? I've read too many horror scenarios associated with this platform that I'm really reluctant to give them their 30% cut (of course the only way to do that is not to use them).
They assure both sides a good experience, but if one side fucks you over (bug-ridden room, or guests trashing your house in a drug orgy), they say "sorry, here's 10% of the damage you suffer to cover the inconvenience."..
In my mind Airbnb is an expensive advertising channel.
Once I'm in, I'm dealing with the host.
When I hosted, I expected ID from guests.
Once I'm in, I'm dealing with the host.
When I hosted, I expected ID from guests.
So you can get access to a full kitchen and fridge and save money by cooking meals.
This is a big factor. Also, when traveling as a family, it's really nice to rent a two bedroom AirBNB over a hotel, or even over two adjoining rooms in a hotel (which will nearly always be more expensive than an AirBNB). Having the living room space allows adults to stay up in the evening after the kids are in bed, and/or lets the kids get up early and watch TV/have breakfast while the parents sleep in. AirBNBs often also have a dining room space or a backyard/patio, where families can play games, hang out, or otherwise spend time together after a long day of sightseeing.
If you're just renting a bedroom in someone's house, that's a little different, and it's more often price-based, although having a full kitchen to use can be nice, and you can also often find AirBNBs in neighborhoods where hotels are few and far between.
If you're just renting a bedroom in someone's house, that's a little different, and it's more often price-based, although having a full kitchen to use can be nice, and you can also often find AirBNBs in neighborhoods where hotels are few and far between.
Especially once you have older kids even 2 bathrooms is a big time saver in the morning and just feels less crowded than a hotel.
I've used Airbnb's while driving cross-country in order to get access to a dryer outlet to charge an EV.
We recently visited people in Lawton, OK. The nearest superchargers are in Oklahoma City, OK (79 mi North-East) and Ardmore, OK (104 mi East). We were heading South-West, and the next stop was in Childress TX (123 mi West), so either of these would have added 3-4 hours to our trip.
Staying at an Airbnb meant we were able to charge the car and stay comfortably within our limit.
Also, it was a family trip, so it was nice to be able to sleep the 5 of us (plus an extra who flew in) without cramming into a hotel.
We recently visited people in Lawton, OK. The nearest superchargers are in Oklahoma City, OK (79 mi North-East) and Ardmore, OK (104 mi East). We were heading South-West, and the next stop was in Childress TX (123 mi West), so either of these would have added 3-4 hours to our trip.
Staying at an Airbnb meant we were able to charge the car and stay comfortably within our limit.
Also, it was a family trip, so it was nice to be able to sleep the 5 of us (plus an extra who flew in) without cramming into a hotel.
Family travel. I only stay in places where you get the whole place so it is more or less a house share. Bedrooms, kitchen, a yard to play, etc. is pretty nice with young kids.
Having a kitchen is huge for us when we travel. Lets you wake up with normalcy of home and coffee/eggs/veggies/ham/milk/cereal/bread/butter/jam for the week costs about as much as taking the family out for breakfast once.
I do a lot of travel for family reasons, and even a cheap airbnb (Joe Schmoe's extra bedroom) is better than a budget hotel.
Hotel WiFi is generally way worse than what you get in someone's house, so's the work surface. I don't need housekeeping services, and access to a kitchen can really help with healthy eating.
Hotel WiFi is generally way worse than what you get in someone's house, so's the work surface. I don't need housekeeping services, and access to a kitchen can really help with healthy eating.
Many times AirBNB is more unique - for instance I stayed in a houseboat in Amsterdam, That's an experience you can't get at a hotel.
because you get a full house to yourself! You say hypothetical traveller so i take it you dont travel much but when you do. Apart from the space the seterility of hotels gets to you. I only stay in hotels if its a short stay and airbnb checkin time doesnt comply.
Either my parser is broken or this headline is... "Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay"?
It should be "guests"; full title from link is: "Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews, but hundreds of guests were left to stay with him". The dropped plural throws the whole thing off.
It's that it was so easy for the scummy operator to just move over to another account, and that obviously fake -- even duplicate! -- reviews persisted while real ones didn't.
[1] I don't say "host" because this guy ran so many properties he wasn't really a host in any capacity.