Anyone ever use Airbnb.com or similar site when traveling?

CapeCodTenor

Dis Veteran; Dis Dads #865

Joined

Oct 18, 2005

• Feb 27, 2015

• #1

Hey everyone,

Has anyone here ever used airbnb.com while traveling? The thought of renting a room in someone's house or apartment is a bit odd, but the prices can't be beat. And from what I've seen in checking out locations in Berlin, Germany, they also tend to be centrally located. I haven't priced anything yet with hotels, but I would think you'd still come out on top, unless you catch a really good sale on, say hotels.com. If anything you wouldn't have to pay for meals 3x a day, so at least there you're coming out on top.

 

Pugsly

DIS Veteran

Joined

Mar 8, 2002

• Feb 27, 2015

• #2

We booked a cottage in the Cotswolds thru Airbanb and are very excited. Ours was more about space as we are 3 adults traveling and will have to cottage to ourselves.

We also looked at different places in London and ultimately decided on a hotel, which was definitely much pricier, but we wanted a specific location and could not find 'just the right place' with Airbandb.

 

darrenf67

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 13, 2013

• Feb 27, 2015

• #3

We booked a house for 2 weeks in December 2013 in NYC using airbnb. It was the best two weeks and the owner was so helpful and friendly - it made the trip all the better.

 

PrincessElena

Mouseketeer

Joined

Feb 7, 2015

• Feb 27, 2015

• #4

Clark Howard uses airbnb. If it's something he recommends, I trust his advice.

 

TLSnell1981

Tiny bubbles... make me happy... make me feel fine

Joined

Sep 15, 2006

• Feb 27, 2015

• #5

We haven't used it yet, but are seriously considering it.

 

E

EMom

Comes from a long line of all fork ...

Joined

Jul 2, 2007

• Feb 27, 2015

• #6

We have used vrbo in Europe and for Florida beaches. I've always been happy.

 

SamRoc

DIS Veteran

Joined

Oct 27, 2003

• Feb 27, 2015

• #7

My dd and her friend went to a wedding in Virginia and used airbnb for a beach cottage. They were very happy with the results!

 

worm761

<img src=http://photopost.wdwinfo.com/data/500/sw.

Joined

Feb 4, 2001

• Feb 28, 2015

• #8

I used AirBNB to rent a house in St. Augustine last summer. Loved it. The reason I went with AirBNB over other companies is that you give your money to AirBNB and they hold onto it until 24 hours after you check in. If you aren't satisfied then they will refund you your money or offer you a discount on another listing. The renter doesn't get paid until then. I like the protection of the middle man.

 

J

jam217

jam217

Joined

Apr 2, 2006

• Feb 28, 2015

• #9

I have used VRBO to rent places in San Francisco and Key West and didn't have any problems. I've found it's equivalent to renting a hotel room and you get a lot more space.

 

kaseyC

Mom to 3 lovely Princesses

Joined

Mar 25, 2002

• Feb 28, 2015

• #10

We used AirBnB for an apartment in Venice, Italy and one in Munich, Germany last summer. The whole process was wonderful and the owners of both apartments were great. The owner in Venice even stocked the apartment with breakfast staples... bread, cereal, milk, coffee, tea and such. Both were in great locations and exactly as pictured on the website. I also loved the fact that the money goes through AirBnB and the owner doesn't get it until after you check in. We are using them again this summer for a 7 night flat rental in London in June. We are a family of 5 and renting apartments especially in Europe where it's extremely expensive and difficult to find a hotel room/rooms large enough for our family.

 

Handbag Lady

Disneyland Bride 2000

Joined

Jun 15, 2005

• Feb 28, 2015

• #11

I haven't. I looked at their site and they don't give addresses. How do you know you are not booking a place that says "near city center" and it ends up being five miles away? One person's near is another person's incredibly long walk.

 

firecracker725

DIS Veteran

Joined

Apr 12, 2010

• Feb 28, 2015

• #12

We've used them to stay all over Europe. We love it.

 

CapeCodTenor

Dis Veteran; Dis Dads #865

Joined

Oct 18, 2005

• Feb 28, 2015

• #13

I like that airbnb gets the money and they hold it until after you check in. That tells me that the owners of the apartments/houses will do a good job to ensure you have an enjoyable time. I've not heard of vrbo, I'll have to check it out. Thanks. And thanks for the replies, everyone. Keep 'em coming.

 

kaseyC

Mom to 3 lovely Princesses

Joined

Mar 25, 2002

• Feb 28, 2015

• #14

Handbag Lady said:

I haven't. I looked at their site and they don't give addresses. How do you know you are not booking a place that says "near city center" and it ends up being five miles away? One person's near is another person's incredibly long walk.

Click to expand...

AirBnB has a map feature where it shows where the properties are located. It has filters that allows you to choose a certain neighborhood/area of the city. Many property descriptions will also give you the nearest public transportation stop as well.

 

ridlee

Earning My Ears

Joined

Oct 12, 2010

• Feb 28, 2015

• #15

We are using AirBNB for our upcoming trip to Chile. We rented a loft apartment in Santiago for 5 nights at the end of our trip. The price can't be beat and I am excited to have access to a kitchen. The reviews on the loft we are renting were great. I am hoping that our experience is wonderful because it definitely would help my budget with future travel.

 

Kathryn Merteuil

Barden Bella

Joined

May 11, 2012

• Mar 1, 2015

• #16

I need to check this out. If/when I do some traveling, it might be a way to save some money. Thanks for the tip!

 

The Mystery Machine

Sunrise at my house. :+)

Joined

Jan 4, 2001

• Mar 1, 2015

• #17

Subscribing! I will have to check this out too!