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AirBnB is now available in Cuba

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11–20 of 49 posts

Re: AirBnB is now available in Cuba

#12

I have mixed success with AirBnB as a traveller. I would say 80% of my requests to stay in a place are either ignored or rejected. I'm mainly talking about hosts from the UK. In the end I just stay in Hotels, it's less hassle, often cheaper. As for Cuba, very surprised if they have 1000 properties available. Getting internet access in Cuba is pretty much impossible.

Yeah AirBnB hasn't really taken off here in the UK as it has elsewhere. Not sure if that's a cultural thing (letting your home out to strangers) or something else. Like you said, much better to stay at a hotel or B & B if travelling to the UK

Re: AirBnB is now available in Cuba

#13

I have mixed success with AirBnB as a traveller. I would say 80% of my requests to stay in a place are either ignored or rejected. I'm mainly talking about hosts from the UK. In the end I just stay in Hotels, it's less hassle, often cheaper. As for Cuba, very surprised if they have 1000 properties available. Getting internet access in Cuba is pretty much impossible.

Wow, that's surprising, I've been an AirBnB guest about 10 times and generally had a very good experience. I've had 100% response rate and only once had a problem - which was that the host had a problem with the utilities in the flat and had to cancel my booking a few days before. Annoying, but understandable and well communicated.

Perhaps it's worth looking at your photo and description to see if they can be improved, and also filtering your choices based on the host's reputation and description.

Re: AirBnB is now available in Cuba

#15

I have mixed success with AirBnB as a traveller. I would say 80% of my requests to stay in a place are either ignored or rejected. I'm mainly talking about hosts from the UK. In the end I just stay in Hotels, it's less hassle, often cheaper. As for Cuba, very surprised if they have 1000 properties available. Getting internet access in Cuba is pretty much impossible.

Wow, that's surprising, I've been an AirBnB guest about 10 times and generally had a very good experience. I've had 100% response rate and only once had a problem - which was that the host had a problem with the utilities in the flat and had to cancel my booking a few days before. Annoying, but understandable and well communicated. Perhaps it's worth looking at your photo and description to see if they can be improve…

Not sure if a hosts reputation is affected by them ignoring requests.

Problem is, if I need a room I need to know quick if it's available or not.

Re: AirBnB is now available in Cuba

#16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow, that's surprising, I've been an AirBnB guest about 10 times and generally had a very good experience. I've had 100% response rate and only once had a problem - which was that the host had a problem with the utilities in the flat and had to cancel my booking a few days before. Annoying, but understandable and well communicated. Perhaps it's worth looking at your photo and description to see if they can be improve…

Not sure if a hosts reputation is affected by them ignoring requests. Problem is, if I need a room I need to know quick if it's available or not.

You can see the host's response rate and typical response time on the accommodation page.

And some accommodation will have a "lightning" symbol which means you can book instantly without any waiting for communication required.

Re: AirBnB is now available in Cuba

#17

I have mixed success with AirBnB as a traveller. I would say 80% of my requests to stay in a place are either ignored or rejected. I'm mainly talking about hosts from the UK. In the end I just stay in Hotels, it's less hassle, often cheaper. As for Cuba, very surprised if they have 1000 properties available. Getting internet access in Cuba is pretty much impossible.

Yeah AirBnB hasn't really taken off here in the UK as it has elsewhere. Not sure if that's a cultural thing (letting your home out to strangers) or something else. Like you said, much better to stay at a hotel or B & B if travelling to the UK

Thats interesting. I always thought bed & breakfast was a British "invention". The b&b's (in Scotland) I've stayed at have always been a pleasure, complete with toast and jam. Edit: sorry - didn't read your last paragraph about about b&b. But I would've thought b&b would be in the same market as airbnb?

Re: AirBnB is now available in Cuba

#18

I have mixed success with AirBnB as a traveller. I would say 80% of my requests to stay in a place are either ignored or rejected. I'm mainly talking about hosts from the UK. In the end I just stay in Hotels, it's less hassle, often cheaper. As for Cuba, very surprised if they have 1000 properties available. Getting internet access in Cuba is pretty much impossible.

Are you verified? Do you have good feedback?

Re: AirBnB is now available in Cuba

#19

I have mixed success with AirBnB as a traveller. I would say 80% of my requests to stay in a place are either ignored or rejected. I'm mainly talking about hosts from the UK. In the end I just stay in Hotels, it's less hassle, often cheaper. As for Cuba, very surprised if they have 1000 properties available. Getting internet access in Cuba is pretty much impossible.

Entire Place, Private Room, Shared Room or a mix?

Re: AirBnB is now available in Cuba

#20
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

you know, there are a couple of nice things about AirBnB that $COMPETITOR from Cuba can't easily match. For instance, first-world travelers are already quite willing to trust it with their credit cards. For another, it has global renown and doesn't need to advertise heavily to be found.

There is no competitor, it's an initiative from the state cuba. It's also not like it is heavily advertised. It just was basically the only option until now. I frequently use airbnb, so i know that it's great. Just saying that Cuba the state already had that kind of offering for years, as a fact.

casa particulars are more of a concept than a business entity. It pretty much means "Bed&Breakfast" (without the breakfast). The government involvement is licensing & taxation, although there's a thriving black market as well.

If anything, this will help AirBnB adoption since the concept of renting out a spare room is already widely known.

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