Air B&B and local inns

I have had good experiences with Airbnb in Europe. I stayed at Airbnbs in Amsterdam and Antwerp this past May. I enjoyed staying in apartments in residential neighborhoods, living like a temporary local, shopping at local markets and groceries, eating at local eateries away from the tourist center.

If you are paying for lodging, there is no expectation that you should bring a gift.

I agree with Lane, but a small gift might be appropriate (though not expected) if you're using an airbnb bedroom in someone's actual home, rather than a separate apartment, and you actually like the people or they did something "above and beyond" for you.

I'm not sure there are any accommodations in Paris or Amsterdam that you'd call "small local inns." There are lots of small independent hotels, many with charm and character, some listed in the RS guides and many not. Maybe I just think of an "inn" as being in the country. ;-)

I have mostly stayed in private rentals in my travels, since long before Air B&B existed. I guess I'd say that of all the rentals I've had, the one that was booked through Air B&B was the worst, although it was by no means bad, and, to be fair, some of the rentals I've booked through other sites also advertise on Air B&B. I know other people who have used it and had great experiences.

One thing I've noticed is that sometimes an automated message in the Air B&B reviews will say that a rental has been cancelled by the owner within xx days of the stay, and that makes me a bit leery. I don't want to be scrambling for accommodation right before a major trip. I did have a booking that I'd made through Air B&B cancelled, but in that case, the owner cancelled in plenty of time for me to find an alternative, so it wasn't a big issue. But, for that reason, my preference is to book through other sites, such as Trip Advisor or Expedia, that offer guarantees on some bookings.

Another disadvantage of private bookings is that they don't have 24-hour front desks. If your flight is at an odd time or gets seriously delayed, this can be challenging if you have to meet up with someone to get the key (not always the case--sometimes there is a key in a coded lock box, for instance). The people I've dealt with have been understanding about this, but I feel bad when it happens. There also may be nobody to ask for directions or to leave your luggage after checkout.

That said, this type of accommodation can offer you more space and different amenities than a hotel. For instance, you may have cooking facilities if you want to prepare meals and save money, or at least a fridge and microwave for snacks, cold drinks, and reheating leftovers. You may have a washing machine. You get more of a "living like a local" experience. And the hosts are often extra helpful in providing information about navigating their city and will recommend sights and restaurants. Often, the host will leave a little welcome package to get you started (milk, wine, etc.). And, all of this typically costs less than a hotel room, with lower or no taxes.

For stays of 3 days or more, I usually try to book a private rental or an apartment-style hotel. For stays of less than that, I will book a hotel or B&B or inn.

Edited to add that I have never brought a gift.

We have used Airbnb 15 or more times in Europe, including Amsterdam and Paris, and it is our default for places to stay. We have fussy diets--e.g., loads of salads--and we need to be able to use a kitchen. But beyond that, we really enjoy shopping for groceries etc. and feeling like a local, not to mention saving money (not just on lodging, we also do not have to eat out). One thing, we have to remember to check whether we need to weigh fruits and veggies ourselves in the markets; this is required in several countries, though not all, and this summer we had a an embarrassing incident holding up a checkout line in Vienna while the clerk weighed the things for us.

You will find dozens and dozens of AirBnB related threads on this site. I actually posted one which was a "potentially" bad experience but it turned out to be fine and the other 6-7 stays were fine also. I'm actually quite an AirBnB advocate!!!

I won't repeat what the other posts say as it's easier for you to do a search and find those threads, but I will comment on the gifts as that is a unique question. I'm sure something like that would be appreciated, and it wouldn't hurt when they give you a review :) but certainly NOT mandatory. Also, you will find every experience to be different. One owner might treat you like family, regularly checking on you and giving you tips, even inviting you to a meal or coffee. Another owner might leave the keys with a neighbor and you won't ever meet them or even hear from them until check-out. So every property and owner will be different, and if you are moved to give a gift as a gesture of appreciation for extraordinary service, why not?

I was just thinking it would be fun to being something small along as a token of appreciation if we had wonderful hosts. :0)

As for the wonderful hosts, what are you expecting? Do you want to rent a room or an entire apartment?

Not really "expecting" anything. Just thought it would be nice to have something if we felt lead to give. As I see from the posts, that is going to be an individual decision and everyone has their own idea of what is appropriate. So, we are going to just figure that one out ourselves!

Other than that, lots of great suggestions on using AirBnB and lengths of stay. As suggested, I'll be checking the forum further. Thanks

There is a crackdown on AirBnB and vacation rentals in general in Paris, so you should be aware of this and do further research. Cancellations are becoming more frequent, blamed on any number of reasons, but you don't want to be forced into finding something on your own at the last minute.

Since this is your first trip, and if you plan to stay less than a week and won't be using a kitchen very much, you should really consider booking a hotel with a fridge. Laundry facilities in apartments don't live up to expectations, but you can always find a clean, efficient coin laundry nearby your hotel. A hotel will store your luggage if you arrive before check-in time, but apartments aren't set up to do this - not fun to haul your stuff around for hours, especially in bad weather.

Chances are that in typical vacation rentals, including AirBnB, you will be met by a manager (whom you probably won't see again) and not the actual owner, so it wouldn't be necessary to bring a gift.

If you're lucky enough to find a licensed B&B, where the owners are in residence, it would be a nice idea to bring something small from home. There are some licensed B&B's in Paris, which must adhere to strict regulations and be registered with the City:http://www.une-chambre-en-ville.com/

Not to pile on but to give my perspective. The only time I would take a little prezzie is to a personal friend.

An AirBnb host isn't your friend until you have been back a few times and shared a few things together. They are in business as much as the owner of a hotel. You are renting a room.

You may be hoping they are lovely people (I always hope for that), and they may be (yay) but this is their business.

As for the wonderful hosts, what are you expecting? Do you want to
rent a room or an entire apartment?

I asked the question because there is a difference. If you are renting a room you will indeed get to know the hosts. If you are renting an apartment that's a different issue.

With an apartment certainly the owner of the apartment might be who greets you, but its just as likely to be a manager of some sort. There is a very nice apartment that I stay in very often; when I read the reviews you would think the guests didn't care about the apartment; only about the manager. The reviews read, Laszlo did this and Laszlo was that and Laszlo, Laszlo, Laszlo. You would think the apartments didn't matter; its all about how Laszlo treats the guests. This despite the fact that I know Laszlo only spends about 10 minutes with the guest when they check in. Its one of the things you can look for when you read reviews.

Many apartment owners will let you in early and that can make them more convenient than a hotel. To get an idea if that is possible check their occupancy calendar and if there is no one checking out that same morning then the odds are good (they need time to clean is all). For that matter, for the cost of an apartment vs an equivalent quality hotel room, if you are arriving at 8am, I would just purchase the night before too. If you are renting 5 nights or more be sure and try and negotiate a discount.

Laundry machines. Don't count on much more than a combi washer/dryer. Because of the nature of the old buildings dryer exhausts are generally not possible so they use condensing dryers so figure 2 hours or more to wash and dry two light pair of trousers and two light shirts; and not much more in a load. I generally find a laundry service. A wash and fold can be cheap and that way I don't have to mess with it.

Finally, AirBnb. There are no AirBnb apartments. They just don't exist. AirBnb isn't in the business. There are apartments that are listed on AirBnb. If you advertised your apartment in the New York Times it wouldn't be a New York Times apartment would it? When you find something you like on AirBnb look for an apartment name (many have names like Peaceful Garden or Tom's Place or.....) If there is no name, then look for a singular phrase in the listing. Something like; "exotic apartment near the race track". Then copy that phrase or name and google it. Odds are you will find the half dozen other listing agencies that this apartment owner is using. This gives you more reviews to read and often different prices as they can vary depending on the commission the listing agency charges. If you feel comfortable with out the alleged protections the listing companies provide you might want to track the apartment to the owners personal website or the management company website and rent direct. You might get a better price and they might give you some sort of perk because they aren't paying commission on the sale.

Thanks for the info on renting apts. very helpful!!!!

Thanks for the info on renting apts. very helpful!!!!

We've used airbnb for about 80% of our stays since 2011.

In most cases, I haven't felt the need to offer a gift. That being said, there can be the odd host who goes above and beyond, or that you just really get along with. (Most of our airbnb's have been private rooms where we generally interact with the host).

We had one host in Villefranche sur Mer who cooked us supper and took us for a drive the next morning to Eze. I had brought some maple chocolates from home for our couchsurfing hosts, but I gave a package to her as a thank you for doing that little bit extra. We had a lovely hostess in Salon en Provence last year who I left a lip balm for...back story - I lost my lip balm at the airport in Montreal, and when we got to Paris, I bought some l'Occitane balm at the airport. On our trip, we did a tour at the l'Occitane factory in Manosque, and the 'parting gift' was...a free lip balm for me and hubby. So I left one of them for our hostess as she was kind enough to prepare us breakfast and offer us snacks.

On the flip side - we stayed at an awesome place in New Jersey - another guest had left behind two almost full jars of peanut butter. The hosts didn't want it, and asked if we wanted it so I ended up bringing it home with me...lol. (we were driving). And we stayed with some super nice people at an airbnb near Nice and he was a chef. He offered us a jar of his homemade citrus marmalade to take with us. Unfortunately, we couldn't as we were flying out and only taking carry on and it was too big for the 311 requirements.

It may not hurt to have a little something - most likely I would pack something like locally made soap or chocolates - that if you don't feel the need to leave with any hosts, you can at least consume on your trip or bring home and use...

"There is a crackdown on Airbnb...in Paris." When I got to Berlin on 9 June 2016, I read the good news that the Berlin Senate upheld the ban on Airbnb in Berlin. Obviously, there are a good number in support of that ban, others are trying to reverse that decision.

Oh, heck yes; do bring gifts, but make sure they are addressed to the OWNER and not the management company. Jewelry is good ... if the stones are large enough to be reset if the host doesn't like the setting..., cognac is also very good as are Cuban cigars.

I'm not sure why so many people talk about AirBnB! There are many other rental sites where you can rent an apartment from the owner. I guess the appeal of AirBnB is that you can rent a "room" rather than the whole apartment or house. I have found other sites to give a lot more information about the rental with current reviews that are dated so you can see how recent they are. And, there is a fee with AirBnB you don't find with other rental agencies like VRBO or Homeaway, unless of course they are built into the price.

So, halfdozmom, look outside of AirBnB too, there are lot of other choices. Make sure you choose places that have a lot of good and current reviews. We've had great luck finding gems!

I wouldn't bring gifts, these are businesses. Had I been there before and knew the people/family well, then maybe.

To find local inns, check TripAdvisor for the area you want to stay. I usually click on the map and search near and wide to find the best places with good reviews. Then, once you find a place, go directly to their own website, don't book with TripAdvisor. The mom and pop places are very good at returning emails and answering questions you might have. Even with a translator website we have made good connections with owners of guesthouses before we arrive.

We never have stayed in touristy hotels. Too many little gems where you can spend time with the owners or apartments in residential areas that make you feel more like a local.

Finding a great place to stay is one of the things I like best about travel planning. For us, a good accommodation can really enhance our experience.

Susan & Monte: Not bring gifts? Really? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I was with you right up to that statement.

We did see someone bring a gift to the daughter of an owner we stayed with. I found it kind of odd myself!

Nobody brings me gifts when I'm at work!

Maybe that's where my thoughts came from.....info receive gifts where I work. I work for a local MLS soccer team in guest services. I work the same area every game. The fans bring us scarves, patches, etc.

Thanks for the info about looking at different rental sights!

Just be aware that most apartments are cross-pollinated across several websites - thus, AirBnB apts will also appear on VRBO, HomeAway, under other agency listings...
There are only 107 legal apartments in Paris at the present time, though it's virtually impossible to identify the actual addresses, since they aren't listed by apartment number.

If you decide to use a private rental (room or apt) at your first destination, consider checking into a hotel for the first night. Then you can meet your hosts the next day with no worries about flight delays.

I was quite surprised to see the statement that you wouldn't find "local inns" in Paris and Amsterdam. You might not call them inns, but there are lots of small hotels! I stayed at the Hotel Brouwer in Amsterdam. It was lovely. It's been a while since I stayed in the small hotel in the Marais, but it too was family run. Rick Steves specializes in these types of hotels, so check his books. If you want to avoid the blue book crowd check out Lonely Planet. :)

Pam

Sorry.......what's a blue book crowd?

"what's a blue book crowd?"

These days, it's a bit of a dated reference. Rick's books used to have solid blue covers, but (looking at my personal RS collection) this changed in 2009 to the current blue and yellow color scheme. When all his books were the same distinctive blue color (and nothing else), it really made them stand out. You could spot other Ric-nicks from far away, and areas with large numbers of them, like Rue Cler in Paris, could seem like a sea of blue.

To show you what they used to look like, here's a randomly chosen sample: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1566918057/ref=gwm_tlc_pi?pf_rd_p=8a89d6cc-6768-4927-9476-0d5144805ddd&pf_rd_s=grid-6&pf_rd_t=Gateway&pf_rd_i=mobile&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=YP3R41JVAXVH9GDJG643

Now, imagine a restaurant where every third table (or more) had one of those on it, and you see why speaking of "blue books" has continued, despite the fact that they no longer actually look the same.

Re: gifts.....I usually give a small gift to the proprietor (Inhaberin) of the Pension in Berlin when checking out. Of the list I've only stayed recently in Paris (small hotel) and Munich, again at a Pension near the Munich Hbf....no gift there. AirBnB is not an option.