Airbnb for pre/post days

[TXTransplant]

Has anyone used Airbnb to book a room for pre/post stays in Europe? We are doing the Amalfi Coast trip in June and are flying into Rome for three days prior to joining the group in Naples.

I actually booked what I think is a great rate at the Waldorf Astoria in Rome. Through my cc, I booked a standard room for $250/night, which includes free breakfast, free wi-fi, free room upgrade, a $25 food and beverage credit, and (I think) transport from the airport. The hotel gets fantastic reviews and looks gorgeous, but my concern is that it's SO FAR out. Looking at Google maps, it would take about an hour to walk to the Vatican/St. Peter's and even longer to walk anywhere else. The hotel offers a shuttle to Piazza Barberini, but it only runs once an hour between the hours of 830 am and 9 pm (so we'd have to get a cab for the early morning Vatican tour I want to do, and any evening tours would be problematic).

I went to the Airbnb website for the very first time today (I know, I'm so behind the times) and found a lot of options for the dates of our stay. My favorite is a studio-type apartment that is literally adjacent to the Pantheon. Nothing on our list of must-sees is more than a 20 minute walk away (the Vatican/St. Peter's and the Colosseum are the farthest). The place got fabulous reviews, and it's significantly cheaper ($160/night). I emailed the host about transportation, and he said he can book a private car from the airport for 50 euros. The accommodations include free wi-fi, but obviously not free breakfast. I think, in the end, I would probably break about even, since we will have the added transportation and food costs.

It's just myself and my 11 year old son on the trip, and I really wanted to be able to walk around the city with him without being absolutely exhausted from the effort. I'm also planning to book some small-group tours, so it's going to be important that we be at certain places at certain times (which may not happen if I rely on the hotel shuttle). I'm tempted to book this place and cancel my hotel reservation but am a little hesitant since I've never done anything like this before. I've been to Europe (including Rome) before, though, and lived with a host-family, but that was all arranged through my university. Anyone care to give me their opinion/talk me into it?

 

[halfpintpeggy]

While we've never used Airbnb in Europe...we have used it several times in different locations here in the states. We've always had terrific experiences with Airbnb. Used it in Nashville, New Orleans, (French Quarter apt. anyone?) New York, Ocean City, etc. My advice would be to check into the reviews by the previous renters. The location you're talking about sounds perfect for your vacation! And with a studio apt. you could always pick up some fabulous, local foods for breakfasts & lunches.

 

[sayhello]

I haven't used Airbnb, but when I was in London this past August, one of the folks in my group rented via Airbnb, and the place was fantastic and well located. I've heard really good things from others, too. As with any service like this, there are always exceptions, so I agree with halfpintpeggy that you really need to read as much of the reviews as you can, and correspond with the host frequently.

That said, I think the location of the Airbnb place *WAY* outweighs any advantages of the Waldorf Astoria (and I agree - I think you got a great rate). Being in the center of things, within walking distance of where you want to go is HUGE on a trip like this. Rome is really a very walkable city, but if it takes you forever to get there from your hotel, you're going to be beat before you even arrive. And once an hour is way too infrequent to rely on a shuttle!

I think that as long as you are comfortable with the place and the host, it sounds like a no-brainer to me!

Sayhello

 

[TXTransplant]

Thanks for the feedback! I've read all of the reviews and corresponded by email with the host, and I feel probably as comfortable as I'm going to about it. The good news is, I can cancel my hotel reservation up to the day before with no penalty, so I think I will hang on to it, just in case.

I think the only reason I'm a little hesitant is because I was really looking forward to staying at the Waldorf Astoria. I love fancy hotels, and this one looks amazing...and for that rate! But, I think I'm going to appreciate being able to walk the city much more that staying at the hotel. It's up on a hill in what looks like a residential area. The only restaurants nearby are in the hotel (and one is a starred Michelin...probably not in the budget!).

 

[RSM]

Hi TXTransplant. I can't comment on Airbnb, but if you are looking at booking small group tours in Rome, consider Walks of Italy. We did a number of tours with them and the guides are fantastic storytellers. Their VIP collosseum and forum tour was awesome (although I think ABD now goes to the bottom and to the top), along with their crypts and bones and catacombs tour.

 

[TXTransplant]

Hi TXTransplant. I can't comment on Airbnb, but if you are looking at booking small group tours in Rome, consider Walks of Italy. We did a number of tours with them and the guides are fantastic storytellers. Their VIP collosseum and forum tour was awesome (although I think ABD now goes to the bottom and to the top), along with their crypts and bones and catacombs tour.

Thanks for the tip! I heard about Walks of Italy from this forum, actually. I am definitely going to use them for the VIP Colosseum tour, and I am debating between them and one other for the Vatican/St. Peter's tour. If I book this Airbnb, I will also probably use Walks of Italy for the evening walking tour (I don't think that one will work out logistically if we stay at the Waldorf Astoria). Since our ABD doesn't include Rome, we are on our own. I did St. Peter's/the Sistene Chapel and the Colosseum the old-fashioned/cheap way when I was in college... and I don't want to do that again!

 

[Woodview]

Here is my take on this .

Go for Option 2

... ...............

Waldorf Astoria .... " Cavalieri " Hotel Rome .... part of The Hilton Chain

Are you sure that the price given is correct ?

Looks good but the price ?.......... maybe you got a really good deal .

............................................

Back to Option 2

As you say a shorter walk to The Vatican ,

Tie down the " Cab " fare from the airport to the Airbnb with the owner of the Airbnb

Breakfast is usually a Continental style of cold meats & breads cost about € 10 per person

Evening meals can be around € 15 to € 20 for good quality at many cafe's & lots of choice

..... if all fails .... I am sure there is a McDonalds nearby

Wine will be good value ....... bring a corkscrew .... with you at the local supermarkets


You do have to plan for an 11 year old Who just might be Bored with this " Old Stuff "


Buy a few bottles of water that can be refilled

 

[RSM]

Sounds like you are doing the Amalfi Coast trip similar to what we did (spent 5 days in Rome at the end of the Amalfi ABD). There is a trip report in the sticky for this if you want to take a look.

 

[RSM]

You do have to plan for an 11 year old Who just might be Bored with this " Old Stuff "--I don't know Woodview. Our son was 10 when we went and absolutely loved all the "old" stuff. Completely engaged with the local guides asking questions. I think Rome is a pretty fascinating city for kids.

 

[TXTransplant]

Thanks for the additional tips! The room rate is correct...I have a Visa Signature card that offers deals on hotels, and I booked months ago (the rate has since gone up to $300/night). I have an email confirmation.

I have been a little worried about my kid and "the old stuff". So much so, that I was originally going to book a 5-hour in-depth Vatican/St. Peter's tour, but now I'm thinking about just the 3-4 hour tour. We did Germany last year, and he wasn't bored for a second. And he has repeatedly told me that he really wants to see the Vatican. By the time we get in on Sunday, it's really only about 2.5 days. I know he will love the Colosseum, and I figure I can bribe him through the rest with promises of all the gelato he can eat!

 

[carpenta]

Love, love, love Rome. The first time our daughter was there she was 10. She loved seeing all the "old building and stuff". The people of Rome were very friendly to my daughter as it seems to all kids. The Colosseum is quite a site and there are always gladiators in costume all around so your son can get a kick out of that. I think you will get a picture of your family with two Romans as part of your trip. He will be thrilled to see how much of the Vatican was built with materials "borrowed" from the Colosseum. Get score on the room. We stayed in the Westin property up by the U.S. embassy and appreciated the walk after a long flight from the U.S..

 

[Woodview]

As a European we have loads of Old Buildings all around us ....... & we take these for granted ........ But New Buildings are the attraction

for the younger generation . Buildings built since 1990 and more modern ones .

The Tallest & 2nd Tallest buildings in Ireland , are here in Cork ( from ground level ) both are only 16 floors high .

One was built in 1974 & the tallest was built in 2010 .

 

[GAN]

Has anyone used Airbnb to book a room for pre/post stays in Europe? We are doing the Amalfi Coast trip in June and are flying into Rome for three days prior to joining the group in Naples.

I actually booked what I think is a great rate at the Waldorf Astoria in Rome. Through my cc, I booked a standard room for $250/night, which includes free breakfast, free wi-fi, free room upgrade, a $25 food and beverage credit, and (I think) transport from the airport. The hotel gets fantastic reviews and looks gorgeous, but my concern is that it's SO FAR out. Looking at Google maps, it would take about an hour to walk to the Vatican/St. Peter's and even longer to walk anywhere else. The hotel offers a shuttle to Piazza Barberini, but it only runs once an hour between the hours of 830 am and 9 pm (so we'd have to get a cab for the early morning Vatican tour I want to do, and any evening tours would be problematic).

I went to the Airbnb website for the very first time today (I know, I'm so behind the times) and found a lot of options for the dates of our stay. My favorite is a studio-type apartment that is literally adjacent to the Pantheon. Nothing on our list of must-sees is more than a 20 minute walk away (the Vatican/St. Peter's and the Colosseum are the farthest). The place got fabulous reviews, and it's significantly cheaper ($160/night). I emailed the host about transportation, and he said he can book a private car from the airport for 50 euros. The accommodations include free wi-fi, but obviously not free breakfast. I think, in the end, I would probably break about even, since we will have the added transportation and food costs.

It's just myself and my 11 year old son on the trip, and I really wanted to be able to walk around the city with him without being absolutely exhausted from the effort. I'm also planning to book some small-group tours, so it's going to be important that we be at certain places at certain times (which may not happen if I rely on the hotel shuttle). I'm tempted to book this place and cancel my hotel reservation but am a little hesitant since I've never done anything like this before. I've been to Europe (including Rome) before, though, and lived with a host-family, but that was all arranged through my university. Anyone care to give me their opinion/talk me into it?

I have used AirBnb/VRBO in Europe several times with no problems at all, in fact the people I've rented from I still keep in touch with. The only question would be do you mind not having the "extra" amenities like housekeeping, etc. As well as this isn't a 5-star hotel, it is someone's home so it may not be your style and being European there are things not the same as you might be used to like showers, or washer/dryer. But you can get a fantastic apartment at a very fair price -this is the view out the window from a stay in London, look familiar:




As far as eating at McDonalds while in Rome -please don't.....

 

[TXTransplant]

I went ahead and booked. The apartment actually looks perfect for just the two of us. Bathroom/shower is small, but I've traveled to Europe before, so it will be fine. I did see a hairdryer in the picture of the bathroom, so that's a plus! I'm not worried about housekeeping, since we will only be there for three nights (I usually hang the "do not disturb" sign when we stay at hotels anyway).

It's funny y'all mentioned McDonald's. When I went to Europe the first time (16 years ago), it was in college, with a bunch of other college students. I was completely against eating at any McDonald's, but the guys on the trip with us were perfectly ok with it. In fact, they liked eating at them because the food was familiar and cheap. I was with those guys when I was in Rome, and I have been inside the McDonald's just outside of the Vatican. I don't think I actually ate anything, though. My son and I don't eat at McDonald's in the US, so we certainly won't be eating at one in Italy!

 

[GAN]

My son and I don't eat at McDonald's in the US, so we certainly won't be eating at one in Italy!

Don't get me wrong -I have nothing against McD's ...but people spend a few thousand on a vacation and eat there?!? Learn a few simple phrases, stroll into a cafe o ristorante, and make some new friends ....and memories for a lifetime

 

[Rapunzellover]

Don't get me wrong -I have nothing against McD's ...but people spend a few thousand on a vacation and eat there?!? Learn a few simple
phrases, stroll into a cafe o ristorante, and make some new friends ....and memories for a lifetime

While I agree, some people have
extremely valid reasons for doing this. For some, all the money spent on the trip leaves no extra cash for more expensive dinners. Others have children that are super picky and want what's familiar. Or allergies that make going to a familiar spot safer. European dining costs and is also time consuming...some would rather get a quick bite at McD's than spend a couple hours in a restaurant that will cost 3 or 4 times more. It isn't always about not knowing languages and being scared of new places.

I personally don't chose this route, but I think it's unfair to belittle those that do

 

[carpenta]

When we were Budapest we walked by a McD's and also a Burger King and it was JAMMED! The locals couldn't get enough I guess. I guess it was "different" so they went for it. In Italy there are so many places that sell "street food" I can't imagine going into a McD's.

 

[sayhello]

Actually, I normally don't eat McD's here in the US, unless I'm really desperate, but I went to the one in Athens because a) it was right there where the hotel shuttle dropped me off and I really wanted to get to where I was going quickly, and b) I wanted to see what they did differently. They had a McGyro, which of course I had to try, and it was pretty good. I would not eat there on a regular basis, but for just this once, it was actually a fun, efficient choice! I had *plenty* of other meals to find lovely, local places to eat great food! (Which I did!)

Sayhello

 

[GAN]

While I agree, some people have
extremely valid reasons for doing this. For some, all the money spent on the trip leaves no extra cash for more expensive dinners. Others have children that are super picky and want what's familiar. Or allergies that make going to a familiar spot safer. European dining costs and is also time consuming...some would rather get a quick bite at McD's than spend a couple hours in a restaurant that will cost 3 or 4 times more. It isn't always about not knowing languages and being scared of new places.

I personally don't chose this route, but I think it's unfair to belittle those that do

I understand your point, and in no way am I trying belittle those that go to McDonalds. Perfect example, Piazza Della Rotunda in Rome(Pantheon) there was a McDonalds(I believe it might be gone now) and it was always packed. Just across the piazza was a Salumeria(http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...10-L_Antica_Salumeria-Rome_Lazio.html#REVIEWS) -you could get one of the best panini you might ever try in about 2-minutes and if that cost more than a burger and fries I'd be shocked! Beyond that they could make a sandwich or a cheese/meat plate to your taste ...and will offer to let you sample anything in the shop. Oh ...don't forget the wine. Yet, people(some locals, which I get) jam into the McDonalds. Allergies are a totally different situation and is difficult enough without a language barrier.

Tutti a McDonalds a mangiare!

 

[Rapunzellover]

Oh, I know you weren't belittling, GAN. I just think that sometimes people are way too snobbish about food. Frankly I don't travel for food. And a trip to Italy is awesome even if all you eat is McD's.