hey yall
just started hosting on airbnb and it's pretty fun
i loved being able to decorate another space without having to worry about STUFF and just making it pretty LOL
i enjoyed meeting the families that stayed with us and telling them abt my favorite parts of our area
it's a like a live and direct Yelp

anyway, have u hosted or stayed via airbnb?
how was/is it?

I've read stories about escort services using Air BnBs as brothels. No thank you.

and LOL at the brothel
i can see it possibly but not hardly likely happening if it's a property u just use for airbnb

and run backpage ads for a week, then it's on to the next air b-n-b.

It's BEAUTIFUL. But of course I expect nothing less.

I've never done Air BNB -- I don't think I could...

it was fun
how u been?

i get it
i wld have to pour over the reviews to really trust it

it's what I do now
I love it -meeting new people-decorating spaces

any advice
that's a long time!
congrats

Hmm advice..I personally am not a fan of the "instant book" option I have been approached by waay too many porn stars and possible prostitutes for me to feel comfortable with that (their true intentions usually comes out after one or two messages). I'm not necessary against my place being used for porn (since its not illegal and I would charge a "porn tax" lol) I just don't want to be lied to

I would say if someone has it listed on their profile that they live in the same city that you have a listing ALWAYS ask why they staying at your place...I had a guy stay at my place for what I believe was a place to empty his bowels without his family complaining. He showed up sweaty rushed me and the next day (it was a one night stay) he blew up my toilet soo bad I had to call a plumber in lol

noted
nvr had a local
thx to u, i nvr will
LOL

and it was not a great experience. Certainly not the experience I was looking for. This was more of a huge house that someone renovated into a bunch of rooms and ran it as like a mini hotel with common areas. There was no interaction between us and any other guests or the people running the show. There was a lack of communication that had us wondering how the hell we even checked in, and then getting locked out later that night. However, I'm not at all counting them out and planning on using it when I visit Portland in a few months.

What I AM looking for is what you described your place to be. My girlfriend and I want to stay with someone who is renting a room in their own place and is someone who is going to be able to chat us up about the area, tell us about places to go, and really make us feel like we're welcomed guests rather than customers. So fingers crossed.

it's not our apartment but our rental apartment upstairs
and we like to interact with our guests if they're interested
which they have been so far
to me that's the majority of the point of it
there was one who didn't really need any information or help
and that's cool too

it was a really good experience. for trips of a week or more, especially with traveling companions, wouldn't think of doing it another way. having an actual home to retreat to on trips is the best - and you end up saving money in ways beyond hotel expenses.

it's great.

Miami, to entertain my visiting NYC guests.
It's the best hands down.
Last time was this past summer, brownstone in bedstuy.
It was beautiful, same sitch like you (extra apt in a 3 story)

My girlfriend and I usually look there first before we look at hotels.
I've used it in Chicago, Traverse City MI, Los Angeles, Santa Rosa CA, and probably a few more I can't remember right now.

I always make sure it is a private residence with our own separate entrance. The only negative experience was in Santa Rosa because the place smelled like weed and we don't smoke. We just wanted to make sure that the owner didn't try and charge us for it.

i couldn't afford the hotel everyone else was staying in and i was a single girl (everyone else was a couple)

i found a spot less than 5 minutes away from where my friends stayed and just uber-ed back and forth so i wouldnt have to drive

i liked it
it was a little strange because i was by myself but i was basically just there to shower and sleep
the price was perfect and included parking

i just booked a short trip to portland for work and i'm arriving a day early so i plan on trying to get a spot for one night through air bnb

the options and cost savings using airbnb are just too much
probably have taken 10+ trips over the last 3 yrs...all using airbnb (oops not all, i stayed in a mama shelter recently)
last month i stayed a block from south beach for $70 a night, in september i stayed in monaco for less than $200 a night
prices too good and i like staying in a home with a kitchen + more space for the money + and getting a residential feel where ever i am

I'm in NYC - about to fuck IKEA up and decorate that second room lol.

we went to DC for a conference and to visit family
booked a really nice looking one BR apartment
get there and see
1. its a garden unit
2. the bed is up so high you need some kind of step stool, which was not provided and at 6 mos pregnant it was really difficult for me to boost myself up
3. no bedside lamp for reading
4. THE ONLY THING SEPARATING US FROM THE OWNERS OF THE BUILDING IS THIS FLIMSY ASS BASEMENT DOOR

basically the people bought a big rowhouse with an in law suite and decided to rent that out
we could hear ALL of their convos
smell all their food
they had two dinner parties the three nights we were there
i was miserable
like all i wanted to do was go to bed at 9pm and that was not happening
we ended up playing white noise via my husbands laptop

they had 38 reviews and NONE of them mentioned this weird non-separation
i wanted to write an honest review but my husband didnt want the chance of screwing up all of our great reviews
which thhey cldnt have said anything bad abt us regardless
anyways
we didnt write a review and neither did they
i still wish i had, because i wld have liked to warn other people

Ugh. Ppl's hesitation to write bad reviews worries me.

Did you at least let them know you were disatisfied and why so they could try and remedy the situation(s).

especially considering your physical status, they should have been sensitive to that as hosts...

did you explain that you were pregnant and basically on a business trip? I'm just curious cuz I've yet to meet inhospitable hosts plus I look for realistic reviews so I can get a full idea of the place.

The last AirBnb I chilled in was awesome but the neighborhood had an air of sketch and I included that in my review. Still received a stellar one of my own.

I'd just say go for it next time and if you wanna be classy, give the host a warning beforehand.


"i wanna hug all u idiotic bastards & then set you all on fire" -Bin

www.twitter.com/bedstuybetty
http://bedstuybetty.tumblr.com/
DROkayplayer: Giving you good puff since May '05

To leave bad reviews

So your review only becomes visible once the other party writes one
You cant really edit once you write your review

i do vrbo all the time
never fuct with air bnb cause it seems like folks renting rooms in their house and i dont wanna be staring at no strangers first thing in the morning

vrbo didnt used to charge a fee when airbnb did. At this point though most savvy renters list on airbnb cause its more well know, youll find more options on airbnb -- but still gems to be had on vrbo or homeaway.

i think they both charge fees now
i find it easier to scan on airbnb as a renter
but ive rented a great beachhouse through vrbo
no complaints

would totally host if I had that kind of space...

get that $$!!

to be fair, there is that article floating around about that host who had hidden cameras all through their shit, filming couples :-/



"i wanna hug all u idiotic bastards & then set you all on fire" -Bin

www.twitter.com/bedstuybetty
http://bedstuybetty.tumblr.com/
DROkayplayer: Giving you good puff since May '05

and We really enjoyed our stay

No complaints, would do it again..

I dont have a space to rent out or I would lol.


I use it as a first option. When travelling with kids I like to have a kitchen. I dont mind being off the beaten path and exploring a bit.


We got a crew of 10 friends that travels together. We always rent housesoutside of NY to hang out for a long weekend 2-3 times a year. Hudson Valley, PA, Catskills,Maine.

i've used it a couple of times and i've semi-hosted when my old flatmate sublet her room through airbnb while she was on holiday. i'm looking for somewhere to stay in venice this summer & will probably use it as i may well be travelling alone & hotels there are notoriously expensive.