Airbnb experiences in August

We had some great apartments last year in Italy. The one in Rome was especially lovely - view out the window of the Colosseum and under $150 Canadian a night (back when our dollar was stronger...sigh).

This year we stayed in a lovely place in Weehawken, NJ (just a room, but we could use the kitchen if we wanted and hang out in the living room or back yard). The owners were friendly, the apartment was clean (more of a three story duplex), we were one bus stop away (about 10 min) from Port Authority in NYC. And it was less than $100 USD a night even with the cleaning and airbnb fees. And the place was relatively new, super clean and free parking in front of the house. And less than 10 min to the waterfront for amazing views of NYC skyline. If we ever return to NYC and this airbnb is still avail, I'm def going back.

We have a trip in less than 2 weeks to France and I have 4 airbnb's lined up (Paris, Carcassonne, Salon de Provence and Villeneuve Loubet). We've been using airbnb since 2011 and I've been pleased with the majority of our stays - and the money we have saved over a hotel - I can just imagine. For ex...less than a 10 min walk away from the place in Weehawken is a Sheraton...where the rooms START at $260 a night! Parking another $25. So almost triple what we paid for the airbnb - and I feel happy knowing this money was going to a young professional couple to most likely help them pay their mortgage. And with our poor exchange rate on our Canadian dollar we need to save where we can. Our upcoming place in Paris (another room, not a whole apartment) is $250 for 3 nights including all fees and it looks amazing in the photos (very bright and colourful - the bathroom alone is worthy of the stay), has great reviews and is about a 10-15 min walk to Eiffel Tower! Can't wait.

And then there's some of us that would love to know where you actually stayed :) I'm doing my homework, of course, but if you loved it, please share, even if it's directly! I'm looking really hard for something in Rome for May of next year and I just can't decide. London I've got covered, still debating Paris, but Florence, Rome and Venice are still in the air.

I've also had good luck with Air BnB. My only negative is their charging my credit card when the reservation is made--many months before I depart. If I'm staying many nights, that's tying up a lot of cash for quite sometime.
I do appreciate getting a request to rate the property immediately upon leaving. At the same time, Air BnB is getting the property owner to rate me as a tenant at the same time.
They're going to be a major force in travel in the future--worldwide.

Heather...what is your price range/budget? Are you looking for apartments or rooms?

Our airbnbs in Venice and Rome and Florence were all apts, our upcoming Paris is a room...for us, Venice and Rome were both over my usual budget because my mom was with us and we needed an apt with separate sleeping area...

Here is my reviews of the three places we stayed last year (not including Florence which was in 2012)

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy-reviews/airbnb-in-atrani-rome-venice-for-3-or-4-people

I've just returned from my first experience with Airbnb, in Switzerland, and had a fantastic time. Thanks to some of my friends here on the Forum for giving me a leg up.

Absolutely fabulous place, a reasonable price, incredible views, and lovely people.

It gives me lots of comfort to try Airbnb now after reading this thread. My spouse and I are planning a retirement trip to Europe and it is now T-10 months. It's going to be about two to three months long -my current estimate. I'll post our itinerary in about two weeks and hopefully we'll get some feedback as to how we should proceed.

Glad you had a good stay Nigel! Are you a convert now? :)

Yes, Nicole, I think so, if they are all as nice as this one was.

For the original poster, make sure that if all your stay is within the Schengen area you don't exceed 90 days in the Schengen area in any 180 days.

My husband and I have had very positive experiences each time we have used Airbnb. We booked our first Airbnb accommodation 2 trips ago in 2013. The next trip in 2014, we used Airbnb for 2 accommodations. For our upcoming trip to Spain in 2016, we have booked all of our 5 accommodations through Airbnb. Personally for us we kind of like paying ahead. It means not having to get major euro upon arrival to our first destination and less atm stops.

I love Airbnb. We have used it all over the USA and Europe. I just finished booking Croatia and Slovenia using Airbnb. The one time we had a problem was a couple of years ago in NYC. We had booked a three bedroom apt. for a 3 generation big get together. The last minute (1 day before we were arrived) the people pulled out and left us hanging. My husband and airbnb went to work finding us a new place. There was nothing to be had so Airbnb paid for 3 hotel rooms in the same location. It was not the trip we had planned but it was GREAT! It was also nice to know that Airbnb did the honorable thing without a second thought. Now I have to think twice before staying in a hotel. Ok now I sound like a commercial...

Could not agree more! In 2014, we stayed in fabulous and inexpensive places in Amsterdam, northern Germany and Cambridge, England. Since then, a great few days at a central Airbnb in San Francisco. Looking forward to my next stays this May in Tuscany and Lago Maggiore in Italy. it's wonderful to be able to meet locals (your hosts) and feel a part of a place...all while enjoying nicer and more affordable lodgings! I have yet to have a bad Airbnb experience.

Use Airbnb all the time. My rule of thumb in selecting a spot is: the hosts image must be displayed, not their pet, nor some iconic landmark, or a happy face. There are a minimum of 12 positive guest posts and given time differences they respond to my initial inquiry within 24 hours. Some hosts I've stayed with years past are now dear friends. It's a great way to see a city, through the eyes of your host as well as engage with a global community. And Nige spot on my good man, spot on!