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Airbnb vs. hotels

I have been using Airbnb quite a few times the last few years on our travel to Europe.
Most of the time, we have had great experiences, with so much affordable prices and plush rooms.
The biggest fear I have with Airbnb is I am relying on some stranger on a different continent to be reliable. The biggest nightmare I can envision is when the owner flakes on me. That happened to me in Barcelona, when the owner emails me few hours before my flight, that he'll be late at the check in. Made me wait 1 hour in front of his apartment (it could be worse, he could've never shown up)... After that I only book Airbnb with certified superhost... and never had a problem after that.
Most posters in this forum seem to lean Hotels.. I am not sure if that is because of the demographics or contributors prefer hotels vs. airbnb.
I never tried VRBO or Bookings.com for accommodations.
Would anybody give insights into why you would choose hotel vs. airbnb or any other platform? thanks.

Posted by
3940 posts

I generally go airbnb mostly because generally they are cheaper. If we are somewhere where we may have a car, I always look for one that includes free parking, as a lot of hotels charge daily and that adds up. I tend to look for ones usually 1/3 and 2/3 of the way thru our holiday that have laundry facilities so I can do laundry, that way I can pack lighter, and don't have to try and find a laundromat.

Now, most of our airbnb stays are in someone's spare room or maybe their in law suite, as opposed to a whole apartment. We have met some wonderful hosts - three we've stayed with twice, and there are others I'd def return to. (I do know the detrimental effect airbnb has on housing for locals, which is why as much as possible I try for a spare room). Usually we can use their kitchen, saving us some $ on breakfasts/snacks, and cooking the odd supper (I do still like to cook on holiday). When my mom came with us having the ability to rent an apartment was great because we could have separate rooms - as opposed to the two hotels we stayed at where the beds were all together. Since my mom wakes up at like 5am, it was good that she wouldn't disturb us.

I tend to choose hotels for nights before flying to another city/home, maybe on arrival day or if we are only spending one/two nights somewhere. But even then - I have an airbnb I've used twice in London that is a few minutes walk from the tube station that'll get us to LHR within 45 min - saving us having to move to an airport hotel the night before coming home and giving us the evening to spend in London. I like airbnb for longer stays (usually 3 nights plus).

Posted by
99 posts

I am a host/owner that lists vacation rentals on Airbnb, VRBO/Homeaway and I only stay at hotels when travel outside the US. Part of it is I have a ton of reward points from a hotel brand so I use them to stay for free.

But the main reason is, when I go on vacation, I don’t want to have to think about cooking dinner or shopping for food. I like having room service and for somebody to make my bed everyday and pick up after me. I enjoy having access to a lounge and bar and a pool where hotel staff will bring me food and drink when I want it. If I had to do all that stuff for myself and/or other people while I’m also on vacation, then I might as well just stay home.

I just prefer a different style of vacation than what an Airbnb would give me. But as an owner on Airbnb, I come across so many people who really enjoy the experience of vacationing in another home. Some return annually. I benefit from it even tho I don’t fully understand it, just like I don’t understand why camping is considered an enjoyable vacation for some.

Posted by
11052 posts

We have rented AirBnBs in Europe. They were beautiful and in great locations, some with incredible views. Expensive for AirBnBs. But in every instance something went wrong in the property that we wouldn’t have to deal with in a hotel.Most of them were in Italy but not all, also UK and The Netherlands.
Among the problems encountered: TVs would not work and we were told it was a problem in the building which was not true, refrigerators stopped working in two of them, spoiling all the food we had bought, very low pressure in showers,
Electricity went out in one and came on in the middle of the night before going out again. Multiple visits by the electrician and we had to stay in the condo while he was there. Draperies fell down on us in the middle of the night and more...., We are done renting AirBnBs due to the hassles we have encountered as mentioned above. These were one or two week rentals.

Posted by
4524 posts

I like my apartments. I have never had an issue with any of my AirBnB bookings.
However, I hear what you are saying.
Some people never go this route because they want a 24/7 front desk, concierge and access to help, room service, whatever. Some people don't like waiting. If their entire day is so booked they can't be flexible, then no, AirBnBs may not work for them. Life gets in the way at times for hosts so we should be willing to play nice and accept that occasionally a meet time has to shift. Your alternative is to look for places that offer self check in. They'll send you a code for a key and you can let yourself in. I have noticed that good number of SuperHosts offer this option.
I wouldn't consider VRBO as an alternative. They have started to take the AirBnB model, but still leave it to the host to make some of the decisions - like cash security deposits, or payment beforehand. But they do not offer the 24-hour grace period before paying the host. If you have read all the AirBnB fine print, you will know that they do not pay the host until 24 hours after check in time. This is for host and guest to resolve any problems that might occur or not pay the host at all if there is no resolution. However, you have to actually involve AirBnB at the start of that process for them to know about it. They also hold the security deposit, so you don't have to fork over 700E in cash to the host and hope to get it back before your flight home - and then what do you do with that currency?
I spent the time to read all the rules and regs of AirBnB so I understood and was comfortable with the model. Even though I have to commit money beforehand, I know it is in the company. They also keep the security deposit and will work on my behalf if there are any issues to resolve. Not having the money go to a host before I see the lodging, or dealing with a wad of currency I will never use again, or not having a moderator for problems, makes it a model that works for me.
Booking dot com has apartments. That may be my next option over VRBO, but you still need to see all the fine print, and you still may have a host delayed, or have to pay all the money to the host before you have even seen what you bought.
Because I use the apartment, particularly in the evenings, I find them more comfortable than a hotel. A reading chair, space to lay out planning maps, a small kitchen for morning coffee in my PJs, saving money on meals. However, I rarely book them for under 3 nights - though I don't stay many places for under 3 nights. What I can buy for the same price is an adequate local guest house, but often with an uncomfortable bed and no where to sit and read or relax.
The down side of AirBnB is that the host can cancel your booking. Over Christmas, or peek holidays, or in Madrid or Barcelona when the Soccer cup is in town....they might cancel a booking made early at an affordable price - in order to charge 4X the cost. It has happened. So, my solution is to book an acceptable hotel with a good free cancellation clause (within 48 hours of check in) as a CYA for a flaky host....but I only have done that a couple of times.

Posted by
151 posts

Thank you all for your Airbnb insights.

MariaF: "So, my solution is to book an acceptable hotel with a good free cancellation clause (within 48 hours of check in) as a CYA for a flaky host....but I only have done that a couple of times."

I never thought of that before.... Booking a hotel just in case airbnb host flakes on you.. It sounds ok, but with my busy schedule, I know I'll forget to cancel the hotel before that 48hour deadline.. and now I have more problems... It still doesn't solve the problem of showing up at the property, only to find the host is nowhere in sight.. That would freak me out, and it would ruin the rest of the vacation for me.
Anybody know the direct number to Airbnb just in case the aforementioned occurs?? It looks like the issue resolution is done via the app, and I wouldn't know how long it takes for Airbnb customer service to get back to you. Is customer service 24 hours?? With time difference in Italy, I might be scrambling before the Airbnb gets back to me.
Thank goodness the above has never happened to me, but I know it is always on back of my mind.. Anybody with similar experiences? and how did you resolve it??

Posted by
2461 posts

I have rented apartments/homes through Air bnb, VRBO, and booking.com. I have done the same in the U.S. and have had more issues with gaining access in Europe. More often than not in Europe, I have had to actually meet someone which can be fraught with difficulty. In a trip to Greece, we had some issues for 2/3 rentals.

You also don't have the advantage of a front desk which my husband does not like and a hotel is easier to leave luggage before or after checkout.

Why have I done it? For one trip we were traveling with our young adult children to Greece. It was about 2/3 the cost to rent an apartment than equivalent hotel rooms. It also gave us a place to gather which is an issue with individual hotel rooms. We had a trip planned for this past May to Italy with them mostly using apartments for the same reasons. I had hotel rooms reserved in one city but I which I am now reworking with only apartments in hopes of returning May 2021. With Covid, I feel I want more private space to relax in.

Last year my husband and I went to the UK. We rented apartments twice in our 16 day trip (2/5 accommodations). After staying five nights in London in a very serviceable hotel, we were just delighted to have two rooms in Bath! We actually went to the local grocery store and bought prepared food to heat up and enjoy in our extra space. There was a washer in the building which was a big plus at this point in our trip.

Personally, I think for a group apartments are the best. For a couple, it is nice to have a few over the course of a trip to have more space and access to a washing machine. I generally only rent apartments when I will be spending 3 or more nights or often the cleaning fee and service fees offset any savings.

I have never had any issues with hosts canceling and really have never been disappointed in any place we have rented.

We had to cancel all our apartments for trip this past May and did not have any issues getting money back from air bnb, VRBO or Homeaway. I have noticed that air bnb now will not refund their service fee even for refundable reservations. VRBO will.

One time I found the same apartment minus air bnb's reservation fees on booking.com which was a good deal.

Beth

Posted by
17628 posts

Hotels, if you deal with mainstream chains, will provide some degree of uniformity of quality. I say some degree because I have been in a cockroach infested Hilton; sure not expected.

With AirBnb or any similar platform you have the protections that the platform provides but you do run a very real risk of getting a flakey owner. Checking the reviews can mitigate that. I do believe that you lessen your risks by looking for apartments that are professionally managed rather than run by some guy that rents dead aunt Hilda’s inherited apartment part time.

Professionally managed places are fairly easy to identify. Look for one Host with multiple listings and do a google search using the property name or description and you will generally find the management company webpage. These guys do this for a living, not a hobby, and live and die by ratings in securing new properties to represent and in making the actual rentals.

The one caution I would have with short term rentals is to make every effort to ensure that they are operating legally. That can be tricky and might require a little research. Know what to expect when you arrive. Like a hotel, a short-term rental has to register you with the police. If they don’t take the necessary information from you, then they aren’t doing it. AirBnb has some help pages: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1394/responsible-hosting-in-italy and there are other sources on the internet. Dealing with a professional company will greatly increase the probability that its all being done legally.

Personally, most of the time, I prefer a nice hotel and have only stayed in five AirBnb’s in my life. Two of the five AirBnb’s (in Europe) I own; which is where my advice comes from.

Posted by
4524 posts

"It still doesn't solve the problem of showing up at the property, only to find the host is nowhere in sight.. That would freak me out, and it would ruin the rest of the vacation for me."
Gene, if this would ruin your vacation then you need to reconsider your choices. If you are stressed about it, then it isn't going to work. I also suggested you look for self check in. At the bottom of the listing, under the host's profile is 'Things you need to Know'. It should list check in / check out times and if it is a 'self check in with lockbox'. I would not be calling AirBnB just because your host is late. They are not your concierge to that extent. Some find the lockbox option a hassle - if they check in after dark and haven't got a head lamp or flashlight.
As to organizing your cancellations, that is what calendars and reminders are for. Also, regardless of hotel or Airbnb, you should always reconfirm all bookings before you depart home country. Imagine the stress if the hotel gives up your room as you didn't reconfirm or your flight arrived late and you didn't have guaranteed late arrival? I have a little chat with my host often before booking. Ask a question or two. Then a week before check in, I email back. This puts me on their radar. It also ensures we have the same arrival plan. Make up a story about firm dinner reservations at ??? o'clock and that you hope they can ensure a prompt meeting and check in time....if an hour difference is going to ruin your holiday.

With all due respect, why this sudden panic about using AirBnB? You state you used them before, but you only cite one situation where someone was delayed. You moved to Superhosts only and it's been fine.
If you are now losing confidence in them on general principal, then cut the strings and go back to hotels until your anxiety can be put into perspective or you have a little more time to either wait, or ensure you can cancel 'just in case' back up bookings.
Maybe you just need a break from them for a while. Doesn't have to be forever. You'll know if and when the time to go back is right.

Posted by
1625 posts

The length of my stay greatly determines Hotel v AirBNB. If we are someplace for just two nights then a Hotel but it must have breakfast, able to cancel, be within my budget and be centrally located. Three nights plus nights we do an AirBNB because now we have the time to go to the grocery store, maybe stay a little less central and have more time to take public transport into city center. I will only book apartments with lots of reviews (100+) and a high rating, I read the most recent reviews, using google translate if needed, and they must have a generous cancellation policy. Never once have a I had any problems with hosts, they have carried my luggage up stairs, have a whole book of suggested restaurants, laundries, grocery stores near by. One host in Florence told me he would personally come pick us up and drive us to the airport for our 7AM flight if my pre-booked taxi did not show up. Last trip we traveled with another couple and getting a two bedroom apartment was much cheaper than two hotel rooms for longer stays and allowed us all to gather in the dining room for dinner and lounge in the living room and talk about our adventures after a long day. My friends have traveled with their adult childen and an apartment has always been better due to keeping the family together and having shared experiences, plus cheaper to rent an apartment than pay for three hotel rooms every night.

Posted by
6428 posts

Advantages of hotels: Check-in-out-convenience, daily housekeeping, staffed front desk, easy bag storage, convenient (not necessarily free) breakfast. Disadvantages: Smaller rooms, separation of families or groups, expensive or no laundry, must eat most meals out. Best for solos or couples, shorter stays, public transport users.

Advantages of AirBnB or similar: Room to spread out, room to gather, room to accommodate different sleep cycles (parents vs. teens), kitchen availability, laundry availability (sometimes). Disadvantages: Possible check-in-out hassles, possible breakdowns (heat, water, TV, whatever), bag storage maybe not possible. Best for family or multi-couple groups, longer stays, drivers if parking included.

But I agree with the other poster (Maria?) about your anxieties, Gene. If you're as worried as you seem about risks like disappearing hosts, breakdowns, and such, then you may find hotels the more reassuring choice. And a vacation should be relaxing, not stressful.

EDIT: Point taken, James, about Fawlty Towers. Do not stay there. But just imagine what Basil's AirBnB would be like! ;-)

Posted by
7123 posts

Hi Gene, for our extended family 3-night vacation in the US, I book an AirBnB huge home somewhere in Washington State. We want to be able to all be together, so that works well, and I know the type of houses in that location ahead of time.

For planning our European trips, it’s either for the two of us, or I am traveling solo. If I’m traveling solo, I will only book hotels or B&B’s for my safety. For the two of us, I book mostly hotel rooms with at least one refurbished ancient building apartment-type rental from Booking.com for one 3-4 night location.

I like to prevent risk when possible, so I don’t want to rely on meeting someone multiple times throughout a European vacation....or find out it’s not as advertised! It’s worth it once during a trip to be able to stretch out in a larger place, do laundry with their washer, cook dinners, etc. Otherwise, we’re happy for the conveniences of a small hotel - to be greeted at the front desk as we arrive, immediately leave off our suitcase, have breakfast at the hotel. And our smaller hotels are located in the center of the historic part of town, so it’s handier for us than an apartment to take a short break and rest our feet if we wish.

Posted by
151 posts

Thank you all for your Airbnb insights.
I have stayed approximately 8 to 9 stays w/Airbnb. Most were good experiences. Some host even offered us a limousine service which he prepaid to pick us up from the airport (I did reimburse him). Some were crazy where I was stuck outside the Seville host's apartment, and nobody was answering the door... 30 minutes later the host shows up...
There were times when 2-3 days before the check in, where the host would stop responding to my inquiry. I had a time to ask Airbnb to intervene on my behalf to make sure the host didn't abandoned my reservation..
But there are times when Airbnb is perfect for us (like that time in Florence, and Cinque Terre)..
Yes it is a hangup I have with unknown entity, like depending on a stranger from different continent to be reliable..
I'll still use Airbnb, but I am more careful with my choices (like review, superhost status and how responsive they are when I inqure about the apartment) - Once I had to cancel my Airbnb booking because the host never contacted me after I made a reservation (and it was a superhost).
I'll follow some advise on this thread regarding reserving hotels and Airbnb's.
thank you

Posted by
15677 posts

Gene, I've booked both hotels and apartments for our trips, and there can be pluses and minuses to both. With just one exception, all the apartments I've booked have been in the U.S. through the type of local, managed-property businesses James had mentioned or in apartment-type hotels. The exception was a top-floor apartment in a B&B in Belgium; reserved it though booking.com. The company was very helpful when the owner was not responding to requested confirmation info, and I was provided an access code so there were no worries about someone being there to let us in whenever we arrived. I book apartments only for stays of 4 nights or more to average out the usual cleaning fees.

Apartments: the extra space is nice, for sure, and I've rented some with terrific balconies and views. We don't cook on vacation but a kitchen is useful for having a full-size coffeemaker, 'fridge space, microwave for morning oatmeal, and for re-warming leftover take-out. Not all of them have come with washer/dryers, and we prefer coin laundries anyway as we can simultaneously wash and dry multiple loads to save time. BTW, if you've not yet encountered in-home washers in Europe, search some past threads on the subject, like this one :O)

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/question-regarding-washing-machines-in-italian-apartment

We've personally no interest in staying in someone's spare bedroom; renting from a management company/apartment hotel with 24/7 on-call service is a plus if something goes wrong...like the time a keyless entry thingy malfunctioned late one night and wouldn't let us in. Wild party in the apartment above at 2:00 AM? Call the office. Can't figure out the heating/cooling system? Call the office. Large snake of unknown ilk on the terrace? OK, so I managed to handle THAT one (gingerly) myself without bugging the office but not having that sort of service at hand is a big reason I haven't been tempted to use airbnb. :O)

Hotels: Again, 24/7 desk services can be very useful. Most will store luggage prior to the check-in hour and after check-out as well. If traveling abroad, having someone at hand who speaks the language can be reassuring should you run into difficulty, such as needing medical help in a hurry. Directions to the closest market, pharmacy, bus stop, etc? Just ask. Some desks will cheerfully make your restaurant reservations, and virtually all will call you a taxi or private driver. Shared spaces, like on-site lounges and outdoor gardens, can be great places for meeting other travelers from 'round the world over end-of-day libations (been there, done that!). Most also have clearly marked escape routes in case of fire.

Posted by
3941 posts

Lol, Gene! Seville was also the only place I have had a late host also! We waited nearly an hour sitting in the inside stairwell. However, it was an amazing legal apartment at a great price!

Posted by
3064 posts

I have rented perhaps 25 apartments over the years, mostly in Italy, but in Paris, Spain, Denmark, at home in Canada, in the US and the UK too.
I'll take a hotel room for my first night in a new place after a long flight, as I'm usually alone for my first 2 or 3 nights till friends arrive.
I like to get there before them to get over my jet lag.
I take a hotel room for one night to feel safe, then in the morning I'm rested, and able to go on to meet my apartment hosts with a clear mind.
I've only had two not so great places.
One was in Rome, where the host/agent didn't show up for 2 hours despite a phone call saying they would be there.
We waited in a nearby café bar.
The apartment was less than clean, but we managed and left a bad review.
The other was a remote host, who unlocked the apartment door remotely from where ever he lived.
The bad thing there was that if we had not had a phone with us with an Italian simcard and finally got hold of the guy, we did not know that there would be no one to let us in in person.
Nothing about any of that in communication pre trip.
A less than stellar review was also left.
Every other place had wonderful and easy to get hold of hosts, were very clean , fully stocked fridges, and many other great things.
Some I have returned to more than once, they were so great.
Mostly HomeAway, which is now VRBO; but also Airbnb, and booking .com.
I like to have a washing machine, good wifi, and a terrace to sit out on.
I also like having a place to hang out if the weather is bad, or I don't feel well .

Posted by
11052 posts

It really is a toss up. We love the apartment lifestyle, more private, being able to have breakfast without getting into street clothes, having our own W/D. The last two places we rented, in Ortigia/Siracusa, Sicily and So. Kensington, London were fabulous until the refrigerators stopped working, draperies fell down, power went out, etc..We were given a discount to use this year by the London property which isn't happening.

Posted by
1103 posts

From the Harvard Business Review, July 2016:

Like other parts of the tourist industry, Airbnb has become a double-edged sword. Visitors get new experiences and bring in money, but as their numbers grow, they erode the very atmosphere in which they bask and threaten the livability of the city for residents.

From The Economic Policy Institute, January 2019:

The single biggest potential cost imposed by Airbnb comes in the form of higher housing costs for city residents if enough properties are converted from long-term housing to short-term accommodations. If property owners take dwellings that were available for long-term leases and convert them to short-term Airbnb listings, this increases the supply of short-term rentals (hence driving down their price) but decreases the supply of long-term housing, increasing housing costs for city residents.

Posted by
84 posts

ive been travelling internationally for the last 6 years
i stay in airbnb (usually a room with the owner home) , hostels (usually private room ) and hotels (i use booking.com and hotels.com)

it comes down to price , location and if i want to meet people
i travel in off season so dont book ahead , most of the time i decide the day before
ive been lucky and havent had any bad airbnb experiences

Posted by
17628 posts

Admittedly my experience is a bit different, and yet, a lot the same as the typical AirBnb (dislike that term - Short Term Rental is much better) tenant.

I stay in one of two short term rentals for about 4 weeks each year (prior to 2020 at least). Doing so I have come to know the neighbors, the family that owns the breakfast/luggage storage shop across the street, the owner and the staff at the wine bar three buildings up the street, the waiters at the steak house two buildings down the street. These people all know that the apartment is a short term rental and the owner of the rental tells the guests to go introduce themselves and get to know the neighbors. It does add a layer to the experience of the trip and I have read about a few of the experiences in the apartment guest book. Pretty nice.

Having the other tenants of the apartment building greet you when coming and going, having to (or really, wanting to) go grocery shopping, ordering delivery pizza and late night watching of old Fawlty Tower CDs on the Playstation 3 can also add some depth to the experience.

on the other-hand

I sure do enjoy hotel room service and maid service. I like not having to worry about a thing other than walking in and out the door and I have a weakness for really beautiful hotels and Budapest has a number of them.

Posted by
286 posts

Hey, James E, we typically stay in privately owned B&B, Albergo, types of establishments to get more of a local feel, but after seeing this video, we may go Corporate next time we go to Europe! Ha, ha, thanks for the laugh!

Posted by
17628 posts

alohalover, I envy you. I am so uncomfortable around "hosts" that I just wouldn't enjoy the stay. I'm always afraid of putting them out, being too fussy or making some sort of cultural faux pas that I am always uptight.

Posted by
151 posts

Thank you for all your posts..
I LOL at Travelmom for her similar experiences in Spain... "Lol, Gene! Seville was also the only place I have had a late host also! We waited nearly an hour sitting in the inside stairwell. However, it was an amazing legal apartment at a great price! "

Europe, especially Spain has such a laid back mentality that my NYC grown culture does not sync with their easygoing attitude. Two places where our host was late for check in was in Seville and Barcelona.
A host in Barcelona would take 3 days to respond to my email, sometimes ghosting me after I made an appointment. I came to realize this is more of Spain/European culture.
I grew up in NYC, so this kind of laisse- faire attitude is new to me and takes time for me to adjust... and frightening at the same time.

Posted by
1219 posts

Ten trips to Venice, total time about 12 or 13 months, six different rentals, VRBO, Home Away, Airbnb.
All good.

Posted by
3940 posts

We did a 'staycation' a few weeks ago for an overnight a few hours away from home and the Airbnb was so lovely I wish I had booked it for 2 nights instead of one - spent so much time sightseeing and visiting a friend we barely stayed in the room - but the little touches - a welcome basket with organic popcorn, chocolate bar, nachos...and salsa in the fridge (Didn't even have time/energy to try the goodies, though I did take the choc with me ;) ). Tea, coffee, milk, honey, instant oatmeal. Any toiletry you may have forgotten - even toothpaste and toothbrushes (in the package, of course). The gardens were beautiful and we spent an hour watching the birds and squirrels at the feeder while having breakfast. It was an odd one - an 'apartment' set between their living quarters. Two floors with lovely decor and a balcony off the bedroom. We chatted outside with the hosts for a few minutes and met their dog. All this and it was about $20 cheaper than the soulless motel 15 min away.

Posted by
7595 posts

I always research our travel plans extensively, including hotels or B&Bs, places to visit, local tours, restaurants, etc.

I usually compare what I find for B&Bs/hotels with Airbnb. We like to book lodging close to the city center, so we don't have to take a taxi or public transport from lodging to the main sites of the city. This is especially for medium to small cities where public transport is more of an issue. I have found that Airbnb apartments that are available are never in the city center. Guess what, they are in residential areas, away for the city center.

This is why we have never booked with Airbnb. Perhaps if we were a family with 4-6 persons and would need two or three hotel rooms or B&B rooms that we would save $$ going with Airbnb. However, it is just my wife and self. Also, when comparing prices, we can always find a great B&B room with a free breakfast cheaper than an Airbnb apartment.

Posted by
17628 posts

geovagriffith, not in the city centers; quite possibly so depending on your location. The places I stay in Budapest are in precisely the right location but that might be hard to find in many cities; dont know. But it would surprise me as there is more mixed use in the center of many (most?) European cities than one would expect in the US. But I understand completely. I always want to be in the heart of a city when I travel. Good point.

Posted by
151 posts

geovagriffith " I have found that Airbnb apartments that are available are never in the city center."

I understand where you are coming from.
For me, as long as my Airbnb apartment is close to a metro station I am ok with that. Within a day or two, I usually figure out the city's metro system and it takes me wherever I go.
For me staying away from the tourist area is part of a charm of airbnb. - Local restaurants and cafe' that do not charge outrageous tourist prices are right there.
As long as Metro is near, who cares where I stay?

Posted by
4524 posts

City Centre. If one wants within 2 blocks from the central plaza in Madrid, yep. Hard to find Airbnbs then, but near Atocha station, all the museums, some high end hotels and eateries and a Metro stop, there are plenty. Interestingly enough, bus, subway or walking were all estimated on map 'directions' as 18 minutes to Plaza Royal. Every AirBnB in 7 cities in Spain were a short walk from the tourist sites I wanted.
It does bring up the point that they may be more challenging for those with physical limitations.

Posted by
7595 posts

Maria,
I have been to Madrid, but it was in 1984 so perhaps Airbnb has more availability downtown.
My experiences were from our trips to the UK, Australia, South America, Italy, Sweden and Portugal in the past five years.

Posted by
3064 posts

I have always rented apartments in the city centres.
I stay just far enough away from sites like the Duomo in Florence or the Campo di Fiori in Rome to make sure it's quiet enough to get a good night's sleep.
I've never found it difficult to find an apartment in an area I want to stay in.
I also prefer to stay within walking distance of the town's main railway station, as trains are how we travel around.

Posted by
2096 posts

I travel extensively for work. Our hotel allowance is such that I have to stay at the typical Hampton or Home2 Suites accommodation. The last thing I want to do on vacation is stay in a hotel, especially one run by one of the American hotel chains. The only exception is the last night before flying out of Italy. We stay at the Hilton FCO since we normally have an early flight.

We did rent and Airbnb in Loches, France and had a great experience. Usually we rent at an agriturismo or small bed and breakfast. That's led to some great experiences with our hosts.

One of the great things about the internet is being able to make much more informed choices when making reservations. Doing research and making a selection is part of the fun of traveling.

BTW, on this date (August 7) in 1966 I traveled from Lucerne to Venice and set foot in Italy for the first time. It was part of a high school People to People tour.

Posted by
93 posts

I too use apartments regularly throughout Europe - but then I really like to shop the markets and cook while on vacation - to each his own -
After reading the last reply I thought we should start a new thread
When did you first go to Europe??
For me I arrived in London from Canada - St. Patrick's Day - March 17, 1973 - a high school class trip.
47 years later I still get that wonderful excitement when I walk into an airport or train station to start a new adventure . I realised this year, as I cancelled an Italy
trip how much I miss it. Hope for future travels!!

Posted by
196 posts

Such an interesting thread. I almost always stay in AirBnB or VRBO accommodations all over the world. The exception, as others have mentioned, is if it's a one night stay or I need to be near the airport for departure the next day. It's nice to have a shuttle :)

I usually travel solo, but I still rent whole apartments. I like to spread out, cook some meals and feel at home. The biggest reason I stay in AirBnBs is that I feel like I can be more involved in the community. I have to navigate public transportation, the grocery store, etc., and that enhances the experience for me and encourages me to interact with the locals. Almost without exception, my hosts have been helpful and friendly. The one exception was the old man in Rome who wanted to do "Reiki" on me which ended in him putting his hands up my shirt!

Anyway, my sense of adventure draws me to the local places. I have made friends and learned secrets about places that I wouldn't have otherwise.

Posted by
151 posts

Yichhs, Ladyvet... that's creepy old man trick... I would freak out... especially for a girl traveling alone in an empty apartment on a foreign country...
I hope this was just a cultural thing... and not a creepy man being a creep...

Posted by
65 posts

we are a family of four and I prefer Airbnb vs Hotels. When we are travelling, we plan to stay at least three nights in one place. Last summer, we stayed in Paris for 2 weeks. Eat breakfast at airbnb home and eat out lunch and dinner.

While booking, I prefer to book homes with at least 100+ reviews. We know for sure that there are no fake reviews (or I believe so)
so far, it's working for us. Never had an issue.

With airbnb, you get to stay with locals, which we enjoy.

Why not hotels?
Hotels are usually located near attractions but it's hard to get a room with 2 queen beds in Europe. We don't want to stay in two rooms. My kids are still young.

Cheers

Posted by
4613 posts

My vote is with hotels in Europe- specifically ones that include that huge buffet breakfast. I get SO accustomed to that breakfast that I feel letdown when I first return home.
Safe travels!

Posted by
2281 posts

hey hey gene
everyone has their own opinions, to each their own about airbnb/vrbo. i'm not a fan of them. had a horrible experience in london. great communication/email until arrival. owner out of country, sends 17 YO teenage daughter with her friend with one key. has no clue about apt, we need to call mother with no response from here (communication ended), she was out of country. 2 bed/1 bath turned into i bedroom, 2nd was living, dining and bedroom, washing machine was on lock mode had somebody else's clothes soaking in water, how long who knows, dishwasher broken, no lights in bathroom or handrail in slippery shower. her place was deleted from airbnb. after london went to paris and was great.
we usually have 3 or 4 of us friends traveling, apts are great and we split the cost. have used:
cross-pollinate.com
booking.com
tripadvisor.com (vacation rentals)
citymundo.amsterdam (website down now and don't know if things will change)
i have bookmarks that saved sites to use when i need to
places recommended here on RS, but i do the research, friends dislike it and leave it up to me then run it by them.
so many changes with short term rentals and license numbers to rent now.
travelers say they want to "live like a local" throws me off. what does that mean: knocking on their door to meet them, inviting them to your place for a cup of coffee, glass of wine and appetizer. we rarely saw anyone and if we did could not communicate with the language barrier. got more recommendations from host, in stores, shops, restaurant wait help and enjoyed that. don't need any feedback, it's my own thoughts and opinions.
when booking hotels, read the fine print and look at pictures, tells a whole lot. email the hotel any questions you have, cancellation issues, room and bed sizes, shared bathrooms, cash on arrival, luggage storage, elevators-stairs/steps to climb with bags, arrival and depature times (too early can you check in or stay past departure time), rooms/bathrooms are smaller in europe, stars of hotel do not mean low to high class, it's the amenities you get (A/C, breakfast, balcony, view), wanting cheap/budget in big busy cities, hard pill to swallow (do your research), think of a big city near you and ask the same question.
good luck in whatever suits your fancy, be well prepared with what you have chosen and reserved so you'll have a happy vacation and no grumps allowed.
aloha

Posted by
1542 posts

I stay in apartments, with the rare hotel stay. I search local tourist board websites, which are top notch in Germany, Austria and France. For Britain, good, Italy not so good. Any USA rentals have been through VRBO, a Cape Cod rental site, and a couple of Airbnb's (which I don't use anymore because of its passport requirements). I used Sykes for the Cotswolds once, and Traum Ferienwohnungen for rentals in Alsace and on the Mosel: both websites have nice layouts and are easy to follow. There are many cottage rental sites for Britain.

There are no laws requiring one to spend lots of time in the kitchen. My evening cooking is limited to boiling potatoes and boiling/scrambling eggs, frying bacon or prociutto, salads. There's always cheese on toast (my favourite meal). And I must sit on a sofa or comfortable armchair.

"I hope this was just a cultural thing" - I doubt it. Reiki is not a Roman custom.

Posted by
17628 posts

My vote is with hotels in Europe- specifically ones that include that
huge buffet breakfast. I get SO accustomed to that breakfast that I
feel letdown when I first return home. Safe travels!

Pat, we agree on something.

Posted by
2767 posts

Apartments are my preference, through Airbnb or another platform. I only pick one with lots of recent excellent reviews, and nothing that seems too inexpensive compared to others in the area. On Airbnb, i book with super hosts almost exclusively. Never had a problem. Some are better than others but all ranged from nice enough to fabulous.

Why apartments? Space, vibe, flexibility, and FOOD. I don’t usually cook real meals (but I do sometimes), but having the fridge for snacks and pull-together meals (cheese, fruit, yogurt, charcuterie) is essential. I don’t want to eat 3 meals a day of restaurant food. My waist and my digestion can’t handle it! I often do one fairly nice meal a day then either this type of thing, or cheap takeout eaten in the apartment. Also wine in the evening. Sometimes I don’t want to hang out in a bar, I just want to buy a bottle of wine and drink a glass or two on my own balcony in the evening. Hotels often frown on this, especially in France.

I like hotel breakfast in theory - but in practice it rarely works. It often starts too late, I like to get up early and do photo walks at 6AM. And in many countries I like the quick pastry-and-espresso in a cafe instead of a full production of breakfast.

I like the space, and often get places with balconies or roof decks. The space applies even more when traveling with anyone other than my spouse. Full separate bedrooms but a living room to hang out in privately is great!

I like to come and go as I please, which you can do in a hotel but when I’m out for 10 minutes-back for 30-out for a few hours - back again - repeat - I feel weird with the hotel clerk noticing. That’s my quirk and only applies in small hotels. Problem is that besides that little detail I prefer small hotels!

Finally I like rural areas, hiking, etc, but not camping. Airbnb or similar is the only way I know of to rent a reasonably priced single family house/cabin/cottage well away from any neighbors.

Posted by
151 posts

Mira.. I couldn’t agree with you more.
Except for the little quirk, I complete get where you are coming from. 😄
As I said in my OP, my biggest quirk is trying to get over a fear of being abandoned in front of somebody’s apartment with incommunicado host... is that irrational? 😊

Posted by
3940 posts

Mira re:cooking - I actually like visiting the grocery stores over there and seeing what I can find - now, sometimes that's an adventure in itself. Last year in Bolzano we had a cute spot with a kitchen and since most of the restaurants nearby seemed pricey and none of the food appealed, decided to cook a meal - got some chicken cutlets, pasta/sauce, carrots...but thank goodness the grocery store was only a few minutes walk - I bought what I thought was butter cubes but it turned out to be cubes of yeast, I think. Back to the grocery for butter. Oh, there is salt in the apt but no sugar (for tea) - back for a hunt for sugar and I did 3 spins around that grocery before finding it in a bottom corner shelf behind a display. But I love to see what I can pull together and some nights you just want to relax in your room/apartment and being there to cook is a good excuse to stay in.

Posted by
196 posts

Nicole,
I spent three weeks in Italy a few years ago searching for cream for my coffee! I never found just what I wanted but I learned a lot about milk and coffee in Italy :)

I miss traveling so bad. I hope we get to go back soon. I'll even drink tiny cups of strong black coffee if necessary.

Posted by
5835 posts

https://news.airbnb.com/our-enhanced-cleaning-initiative-for-the-future-of-travel/

In May, we will launch the new Cleaning Protocol, with enhanced
procedures and guidance on how to clean every room in a home. These
guidelines will include a learning and certification program to
empower our host community. And guests will be able to identify and
book accommodations included in this program soon after hosts enroll.
This effort builds off of Airbnb’s strong historical track record of
cleanliness: To date 94 percent of all Airbnb reviews show that guests
are satisfied with cleaning, scoring it at 4 or 5 stars after their
stays.*

The host Cleaning Protocol will include specific information on
COVID-19 prevention, such as the use of personal protective equipment,
like masks and gloves for hosts or their cleaners, as well as
disinfectants that are approved by regulatory authorities. A CDC
recommended 24 hour wait period before entering is also required, as a
precaution to address the possibility of particles that may remain
airborne for a few hours. The protocol will be available to all
hosts and we encourage them to commit and adopt these enhanced
cleaning practices.
Listings enrolled in the Cleaning Protocol will
be available for stays immediately after the enhanced cleaning is
performed.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/best-western-ceo-says-airbnb-cant-promise-the-cleanliness-hotels-can-during-pandemic-174412208.html

Kong makes the case that hotel chains are safer and cleaner than
Airbnbs right now, thanks to the [American Hotel & Lodging
Association] AHLA’s “Safe Stay” program, which establishes uniform
room cleaning protocols.

“All the major hotel brands have implemented that,” says Kong. “And
people should feel very safe and secure and comfortable staying at
major hotels. That’s a little different than Airbnb, which is not
regulated and also does not provide the same reassurance.”

Posted by
17628 posts

Kong makes the case that hotel chains are safer and cleaner than
Airbnbs right now, thanks to the AHLA’s “Safe Stay” program, which
establishes uniform room cleaning protocols.

Of course, “Kong” is the CEO of Best Western.

Then who is assuring that the AirBnb owners follow the guidelines correctly?

Here are the hotel chains that appear to be on board in the US, but do they follow similar policies in Europe? “Probably”

ccor, Aimbridge Hospitality, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels International, G6 Hospitality LLC, Hilton, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Loews Hotels & Co., Marriott International, My Place Hotels, Noble Investment Group, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotel Group, Red Lion Hotels Corporation, Red Roof, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Here are the top chains in Europe. Do they have the same policy in place as the US chains? “Probably”
ACCORHOTELS, JIN JIANG (incl. RADISSON HOTEL GROUP), IHG, MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, BEST WESTERN, WHITBREAD,
HILTON WORLDWIDE, MELIA HOTELS INTERNATIONAL

And what about your favorite Boutique Hotel in Sorrento? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

So boiled down, the one advantage to air B&B, etc. Its cheap. Everything else tips the other way if you want to consider quality, safety, reliability, convenience, lack of hidden cameras (true, Google it) and even, dare I say, luxury. As always there's cheap vs quality. No judgement, just some people only care about cost, while others believe in the idea, "how much money can you line your coffin with?"

Posted by
3940 posts

"Everything else tips the other way if you want to consider quality, safety, reliability, convenience, lack of hidden cameras (true, Google it) and even, dare I say, luxury"

I've stayed in some really lovely airbnb's and I've stayed in some really 'dive-y' hotels (and vice versa). I have a couchsurfing friend in Maine who went airbnb with his farm and let me tell you, he went all out - offering guests honey from his hives, flights of beer that he made himself, lavender products from their thousands of lavender plants, wine tasting (from grapes he grew on the property), amazing gourmet breakfasts (the last time we stayed I got homemade waffles and a cold maple lavender 'soup', and the evening before homemade ice cream and grilled pineapple), a gorgeous home full of his beautiful wood working items (the dining room table alone!!), a pool, a beautiful deck with a huge bbq, a pond with a small waterfall, and lovely conversations with a well travelled host. He even hosted weddings the property was so gorgeous so yeah, I'd pick that over most hotels out there. (Alas, he has too much to do and finally gave it up this year).

Also, you don't think there aren't creepers out there who have installed hidden cameras in hotels...?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2020/01/27/why-you-should-start-screening-for-hidden-spy-cameras-when-you-travel/#595693975afd

From the story...In the past year, just a few of the places spycams were discovered include a Sydney hostel, a Miami Airbnb, and hotels from Tehri, India to Cape Cod, Massachusetts and from Zhengzhou, China to San Francisco and Minneapolis. In South Korea, a crime ring was busted after secretly filming and live-streaming the actions of over 1,600 motel guests.

Also - no one wants to see me naked, that video would be deleted right away. ;)