I’m leaving for Portugal next week and then two weeks in Spain. My friend and I have rented air bnb’s for our stay. I just read Rick’s Facebook post about not using air bnb in Spain. Our bookings in Spain are still refundable so there’s time to make a change. But where do I look online for non air bnb bookings that are not hurting locals by taking up the housing market? I still want two bedrooms and a kitchen. Where are those listed and how are those preferable to air bnb? I’m happy to go with a local owner, but that is still taking an apartment that a local can’t afford to rent. What’s the answer? Thank you!!
Posted by
106 posts
Can you post a link to the post you are referring to?
Posted by
123 posts
Personally, I don't think you need to avoid using AirBNB in Spain if you would be better off with a small apartment instead of a hotel room.
For one thing, whether an apartment is listed on AirBNB, or it's rented by a local management company, or it's off Booking Dot Com, it theoretically could be rented to local residents instead. Whether you rent from AirBNB or another source ultimately has no positive or negative impact on the local rental market.
More broadly, all of these land use laws have pluses and minuses for the country. Spain benefits enormously from tourism. Spain benefits from having affordable housing in city centers. If the country you're visiting weighed the pros and cons and decided AirBNB is legal, by definition, they're saying the benefits are worth more than the costs.
Personally, I've seen AirBNB restrictions in NYC increase hotel prices without offering much in the way of making apartments more affordable, Ultimately, major tourist destinations need to build more housing for their residents. That's the best solution.
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Someone requested a link to the Facebook post I was referring to, that apparently was posted by Rick very recently. Here it is: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18v5pnSF28/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6969 posts
Looks like that was NOT posted by Rick Steves, rather it was posted by someone who goes by "Faizin." Anyone with an account on Facebook can post there (just as anyone with an account can post here - we are not all Rick Steves).
That said, there has been plenty of discussion here, there, everywhere about the impacts of AirBnB and other holiday rental services on housing costs for those living (or formerly living) in popular tourist destinations. It's a contentious issue. (You'll see...)
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Oh, thank you. I feel foolish now for assuming it was RS.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
9046 posts
Bonnie, no worries—it's easy to get confused on Facebook. I agree that Airbnb rentals is a contentious issue, but given that you already have one and it's in place, I wouldn't worry about it. Enjoy your vacation but on your next trip, maybe think about some other options. I've decided to opt out of Airbnbs from now on for the reasons you mentioned, but also some political reasons.
There are apartment hotels that are good options, or you can look on local towns' websites for apartment listings that are locals who are renting out an apartment or room. I've done that in Germany where they are easy to find.
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thanks for the responses. Guess I’ll look into apartments hotels next time!