Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
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Re: Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
#2Can 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?
Re: Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
#3Can 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 t…
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.
Re: Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
#4The title understates the issue (and has typos, but whatever). It's not just that Airbnb didn't do anything for the guests they knew where doomed by their booking with a scummy operator[1].
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.
Re: Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
#5Can 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 t…
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.
Re: Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
#6Can 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 t…
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'…
>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 ...
Re: Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
#7Can 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 t…
> 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.
Re: Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
#8Can 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 t…
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.
Re: Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
#9Can 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 t…
So you can get access to a full kitchen and fridge and save money by cooking meals.
Re: Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay
#10Either my parser is broken or this headline is... "Airbnb quietly shut down a top host amid scathing reviews but guest were to stay"?