Does Anybody Have Experience With Airbnb?

"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
02/28/2018 at 10:38 • Filed to: None

Since I will be driving 6 hours to the Nashville Oppomeet in June, I decided to get a place to stay for both Friday and Saturday. UnderSTeerEnthusiast mentioned trying an Airbnb, something I had not thought of. It seems like a pretty good (and maybe cheaper) option compared to a hotel.

Who all has tried this before? Is there any sort of hidden fees or anything I should know about? Just curious as to what the experience was like, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

DISCUSSION (20)

Azrek > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 10:50

Yes, I’ve used it and had great success and potential chaos. I will ‘splain.

I got a nice bedroom/bath in a closed off portion of someone’s house. It was comfortable and clean. Parking was interesting as was getting a key. But then it was smooth and comfortable.

However, after I used that place my account got hacked and someone tried to use my CC to book a room for 4 in Oslo. I caught it immediately and shut it off and removed my card from my account.

A quick search on Google shows that this is a common problem. So yes, you can use it and get a good deal, but buyer beware of your personal data.

Patrick Nichols > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 10:52

Because I like my privacy (even if it is shared with freinds), I generally only prefer an airbnb when you have the whole house to yourself and then it is only cheaper (for a nice place) when you’re at or above the occupancy. We get a house with a bunch of people whenever we go to hockey tournaments. Because they tend to be off season for men’s league the rates are usually pretty good too.

DipodomysDeserti > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 10:53

I’ve used Airbnb in the US and Europe and always had a great experience. I’ve never had any hidden fees. Only surprises were the free alcohol that was left for me when I stayed at one in San Francisco after driving thirteen hours up the PCH from San Diego with two young children.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 10:59

I’ve stayed in a few with family and had 3 really good experiences and 1 so/so. The so/so one was just a rough house but reviewers made that known and the price was lower than other houses so it wasn’t a surprise. Another time the owner accused us of stealing a photo book(and kept following up about it for months). No problem with fees or other costs.

Ram_Riot_6 > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 11:05

I’ve only used it outside of the US but have stayed where I had a private room/shared common area and others with the entire place to myself. I didn’t have issues either time and would definitely do it again.

Milky > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 11:19

Actually used AirBnB in Nashville and got this place with some friends.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19531903?location=Nashville%2C%20TN%2C%20United%20States

Not this specific room but the same person has a few apartments in the building. Close to downtown and secure parking.

facw > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 11:37

It’s been fine in my experience. Seems a good deal to me, but better if you are travelling with several people as opposed to by yourself. Places I’ve stayed have had a cleaning fee, but that wasn’t hidden. Everything else has been very straightforward. It can be a bit trickier to handle checking in and checking out, depending on the host’s setup. And of course if there are maintenance issues, they probably won’t be able to resolve them as well as a hotel would. However, you can often save money, and get a bigger, more functional space than you would at a hotel.

t0ast > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 11:42

I’ve used it about 7 times so far while traveling in Japan and once in the U.S. (Lake of the Ozarks). Try to shoot for places with at least a few reviews. I much prefer to go for ‘whole house’ listings, but could be convinced to do otherwise with a reasonably separated layout. Just pay close attention to the pictures, because it’s easy to make some small places look larger than they really are (though maybe that’s just more of a Japan problem).

The worst I had to deal with was a place with no hot water, non-functional internet, and a totally unreachable host, but after complaining to AirBnB, they gave us the option to relocate or refund 50% of the cost. We chose the later, because the rest of the house was perfectly fine and a large local festival made the former impossible.

Outside of that, my experience overall has ranged good to great. Hosts have been friendly and responsive, the properties have lined up pretty well with their advertisements, and problems encountered have been no worse than what I’ve encountered in hotels (like a temperamental AC unit or smelly bathroom). The AirBnB app/website works well for host/guest communication and I have yet to encounter any unexpected fees.

Ash78, voting early and often > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 11:44

I have yet to use an Uber, let alone one where I get naked and/or fall asleep.

Just saying.

450X_FTW > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 12:30

I’ve used it in Germany, California, Michigan, and Tenn. It’s awesome, never had a bad experience. Highly recommend it. It’s all my wife and I use anymore when looking for vacation places (that and VRBO which is more cabin/cottage rentals, AirBNB is more downtown atmosphere)

Matt Nichelson > 450X_FTW
02/28/2018 at 12:33

I’ve used VRBO before and really liked it. If this is like that then I think I will look into it.

Matt Nichelson > Azrek
02/28/2018 at 12:38

Good that you caught it when you did at least. Definitely don’t want my monies hacked.

Matt Nichelson > Ash78, voting early and often
02/28/2018 at 12:39

That made me snort. Good job.

450X_FTW > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 14:01

Honestly I’d say it’s the same exact method of booking a place to stay, just that one is based in the city, one is based in the country.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 15:50

Used it 3 times, had 3 great stays for cheaper than a hotel. No complaints so far.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Matt Nichelson
02/28/2018 at 19:01

I used it twice in Nashville at two different residences. Both were just my girlfriend and I, in rooms that had one bed so if you were coming alone (or with someone) it wouldn’t be too big or small. If you’d like a link, let me know.

Matt Nichelson > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
02/28/2018 at 19:19

Cool. Yeah I would like to take a look. Thanks!

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Matt Nichelson
03/01/2018 at 09:15

So awkwardly enough, neither are on anymore (or not available). The first was in the Five Points/East End area and the second was Inglewood. Both areas are a reasonable Uber away from downtown, If you’d like to drive back to your place and head out downtown with the crew that night.

Matt Nichelson > UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy
03/01/2018 at 11:11

That’s fine. I did a little looking around and I already have Saturday night booked at Mainstay Suites in Brentwood. I may just go ahead and add Friday to it since they are running a special right now. Two nights for right at $200 right where we would be meeting is a good deal I think.

UnderSTeerEnthusiast - Triumph Fanboy > Matt Nichelson
03/01/2018 at 23:27

Yeah that’s not bad at all actually. I think an airbnb for two nights was like $183 last time