Hey. Thanks for the comment, and coming along with us! For sure, things are changing, and the predictability and consistency of a hotel is very appealing given the oftentimes comparison on price. Glad you found us!
Airbnb used to be a good deal. Now I find it’s cheaper and easier to stay in a hotel even including extra meals out. Hotels are also more flexible - no hassle to pick up keys, no taking out the trash. I travel 4-6 weeks a year for fun and have fully switched to hotels and in Europe hostels. Thanks for the analysis.
Hey!! Thanks for the good words and coming along with us. We hear you, and looks like more and more people are agreeing...How do you select hostels, and what are your decision factors for hotel vs hostel when you go hostel? Thanks:)
💯 price difference is negligible. I get housekeeping, often more conveniently located, staff 24hrs, maybe a bar and restaurant that’s fun to experience. I had some cracking good airbnb experiences in the early 2010s. Nowadays not so much. I’m off to Penang for 2 months soon and I’m staying at a hotel. Just easier.
I stopped going abroad on holidays, my holidays now are at home, barbecue in the garden, walking by the river, diving in the river, cyclying... eating at nearby restaurants. No stress, no scams, sleeping in my good old bed...
Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along. Sounds like a pretty good deal:). We love being home and acting like we are on holiday, too. You can’t beat the room cost:)
@@michaelrudnick7159 same here charge you then expect you to do a total clean, one place we stayed at had frogs living in the bbq. Should have checked before we cooked partner was about to light it up and i said check to see if its clean. Absolutely filthy. Well thats my experience. Not any more, motels for me in future.
Thanks for the comment and coming along! Yeah, we're hearing more and more about this combination of high fees and chores. It varies, but seemingly more and more it's getting to be more work many places.
$250 for "Cleaning" that YOU have to DO YOURSELF. Basically, they Are using their Airbnb licenses to ROB from You. The "hosts" decided to become LEGAL thieves.
Hey, Gary. Thanks for the comment and coming along with us! Yes, that's the kind of thing we're seeing, too. The add-on's really add up!! If you need a lot of space and it's close, it may be worth it, but more and more we're right there with you. Were you in Mexico City?
AirBnB is too expensive and quality too uneven. I have heard too many horror stories where AirBnB provided ridiculously poor customer service, and in some cases endangered customer safety.
@@michellestevens2454 The glory days of Airbnb came and went in about 18 months: from about 2015 to the middle of 2017. You had to be a little brighter and more open than most both to be host or a guest. Once chickenshit “entrepreneurs” and typical jackass customers piled on, it was over.
Taking time to read all the reviews and read the details regarding the listing, including the house rules is very important to both the potential guests and the honest and hardworking hosts like me who genuinely want to make sure that the guests have a wonderful stay.
@@BillLaBriedepends on the room and how many travelers. Solo or couple then a hotel. Traveling with a family who require multiple rooms and a kitchen then airbnb is gold. We always rent a 3 bed / two room / full kitchen.
It’s definitely a different scenario these days. We really only consider places with lots of reviews, many times also looking external to the Airbnb site.
Another reason why Airbnb charges are now much higher is many owners paid inflated prices for real estate during and after pandemic and have to make more money to meet their mortgage obligations. Until most of them are foreclosed out of their properties their charges will remain high. Greed never pays.
Prefer hotels. Safer, staff onsite to assist, most come with breakfast, they clean your room, they change your sheets. Never will stay at an air b & b.
Thanks for the comment. It's for sure getting tougher to find the right mix of offer and value, and to your point, sometimes it's just worth it if it's easier.
I've never really understood the appeal of Airbnb. Why would you stay in some random person's completely unregulated space? They could have cameras on you and who knows what they have done to the sheets or bedding. It's much easier to go to a hotel.
Thanks for the comment and coming along. For sure you've got to be careful, and admittedly you don't know what you don't know. We've had mostly good experiences, but we're picky about where we go and only book if there are many good reviews. That said, you're making a point that many are asking, and that is "why risk it?".
Hey, Deborah. Thanks for the comment and coming along. We hear that a lot, especially recently. It's more the "hassle" than money many times, along with the consistency of knowing what you're getting. Glad you found us.
@@dchiddengems The host started blowing up our phone with text messages while we were at our son's wedding reception. I told her I had no idea what she was talking about, we never opened the sofa. Then she escalated the complaint/claim to Airbnb. I told them the same thing. Within an hour we heard from Airbnb again that she called Ikea and her sofa was still under warranty so they closed the claim. It's a shame, because we enjoyed our stay in our hometown where there are not many places to stay (it's not a vacation destination), visiting family and friends. We would definitely have rented from her every year, but not now. We did not appreciate her trying to get a free sofa from us. We take care of places where we stay, hotels included, like they were our own. Most places are cleaner when we leave than when we arrived. She gave us a good review. We did not give her a review.
My wife and I traveled a lot and frequently used Airbnb. The past couple of vacas we just stayed at home because there were things to do around the house, and realized how much more RELAXING it is not trying to figure out where to go, what to see, schedules, etc.
Thanks for the comment, and coming along!! A stay-cation!:) Did you explore your city like a tourist or just relax around the house and enjoy the comforts of home? We love exploring like tourists, too. Going out just like you would in a new city and exploring places can really open up things right in your own town. Thanks again and enjoy!
I always stay in hotels, regardless if I am on business or private visit. The only time I rented appartments was in Greece. I went to the website of the town I intended visiting, got a list of appartments for rent there, contacted several of them, found appropriate housing and booked it. No AirBNB no BS. And it worked!
Thanks for the comment and coming along! Sounds like you found a good rental in Greece. Did you find it was a good value? Why'd you go for the rental versus the hotel there? Thanks again.
HOTELS CLEAN YOUR ROOMS, PAY their Housekeeping Staff with the Nightly Rate because ANY of its Business Type has to CLEAN the PLACE and is PUBLIC HEALTH, is part of RUNNING that type of Business; I find that Forcing Guests to PAY CLEANING FEES is a SCAM.
There is no reason to call it a scam. In the end, you pay the full price and that's shown when you search for a place to stay. They can call it whatever they want, you pay the full price, and that's the price to compare. Now, I agree that airbnb is too expensive at this point. But what isn't?
Thanks for the comment, and coming along!! For sure, the business model has drastically changed. It's interesting to watch how things like taxes, regulations, and customer expectations are changing, too. It'll be really interesting to see how things evolve in the coming years. Thanks again and see you out there!
I prefer a hotel with a Kitchenette in the room. Can cook if I needed and I don’t have to clean the room other than throwing the stuff in the dishwasher and be done. I don’t have to worry about being charged extra because I didn’t take the trash out or do laundry. I stayed in an Airbnb once and do not see the appeal.
Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along. The hotel with kitchenette is really growing in popularity, for exactly the reason you mention. Many times the rooms are "suites" that give extra room as well. Nice hybrid and no trash runs:)
I love staying at Hilton Homewood Suites. Having a kitchenette allows me to eat healthier when traveling. On a side note my friends and I like to joke about how many items on restaurant menus Isn’t fried or loaded with carbs
Hey!! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us!! Yikes!! Got your exercise, huh? Yeah, we for sure have learned to look for low floors and elevators, especially in Europe. Live and learn:) Glad you found us.
Thanks for the comment, and coming along. Yes, the camera discussion is concerning, and whereas we presume the extreme majority of places don't have such things, it's an odd feeling to wonder about it. Kinda sad that a few bad apples has such an impact. Thanks again!
I was just in London and got an AirBnB on super short notice and the cost was easily half of a hotel. Plus I couldn’t find a hotel room anyway. Not everything is bad. It was a great stay and full amenities. Whatever.
Hey. Thanks for the comment. For sure there are many great Airbnb experiences still out there. We also had a great stay in London, with wonderful "traditional" hosts and a great property for a big savings for a month. We are definitely not saying it's all gone, just that there are trends to watch, and to make sure you do your diligence as you travel. Thanks again.
We travel a lot, have always used AirBnB or vrbo, both in the states & abroad, and have had 100% fantastic experiences. Renting a house with bedrooms for everyone, a full kitchen, multiple bathrooms, and spacious common areas, is infinitely preferable to 2-3 hotel rooms. Yes, the extra fees can add up, but I’m still team AirBnB or vrbo for the comfort & space of a house versus a hotel room or rooms.
I stayed at a very charming Airbnb with five of us staying including a two year old. I enjoy all the different options at different times… for different reasons.
Thanks for the comment, and coming along! When you've got multiple people and especially kids it's really nice to have what an Airbnb can offer. Glad you've had great experiences, and that you found us. Enjoy!!
I’ve never stayed at a Airbnb before. It was the cleaning fees that turned me off. I understand that hosts have lists of cleaning tasks you need to do before leaving. Then they want $75 in cleaning fees. I don’t get it.
Sweetie, that's ridiculous Cleaning is $20 an hour by one person and it takes about a half hour to clean a 4-star hotel room for 4 to 6 including full bath, full kitchen, 3 beds, and supplies for all amenties Then about 95% of people don't tip so that's literally worth about $10 for 'cleaning' Even laundry for one or two beds for one Airbnb won't take long or cost much, and would you really use Their towels? The hot water in a motel could melt paint, those towels and linens are Clean 😂😂😂😂😂
Hey. Thanks for the comment and coming along with us. Yes, it's not the same as a hotel, for sure!! There's been a lot of talk about the "chores" many hosts require, and often the cleaning fees are way higher than even $75. Makes us appreciate the hotels, too.
I have an Airbnb and it’s really hard to find cleaners. They charge $250 for a four bedroom. I agree guests shouldn’t have to clean besides leaving things decent and filling the dishwasher. I do it because I like to use my property for family gatherings and you can’t do that if you rent out full time.
I did rent an AirBnB only once, we went on family of 4 trip to Paris and I made sure to rent a genuine apartment rented by a person and not a company…we ended up renting from a single mature lady that live alone, she rents sometimes not all the time, for her she explained that when she rents she goes sleeping at her mom place and the money gain by renting help her to be able to travel, because of this extra money she is able to travel if not she couldn’t afford…it was a good experience but I guess we were lucky…
Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along! We had a very similar experience in Paris. We actually loved the apartment and became friends with the owners. There are for sure still some great options out there. You just have to find them!:)
Turns out there are several new hotel chains that are offering kitchenette. And living rooms plus plus laundry facilities either in the room. Or. A community laundry room on site. Coupled with swimming pools , free breakfast , daily maid service and some giving a social hour with free drinks and even sometimes free snacks or also sometimes free evening meal Time to take another hard look at some competitive hotel chains. Along with their credit cards that have points.And when you open a new credit card , you get loads of free points and free rooms .I never understood airbnb.
Hey David!! Thanks for the comment and coming along. For sure, there are a growing number of options out there, just like you mention, and we're using them ourselves when they make sense. What's been tough for us, though the gap is narrowing, is for long stays of a month or more, where often ABB still comes out better in certain situations. And the benefits you mention are SO NICE when you're used to not having them. We for sure are changing our behavior, to your points. Glad you found us, and see you out there!!!
There is another element, the level of demands of the guests has increased. Today, guests are not satisfied with old and used furniture, and poor accessories, they want much more. And since they purchase hospitality services and the host purchases good reviews from them, he is forced to upgrade the apartments through renovation and furnishing.
Thanks for the comment, and coming along. Nice point. For sure, it can be a "chicken/egg" discussion when it comes to expectations. Today's guests generally aren't looking for an air mattress in the extra room, and that costs money. Given the competition, as well, we presume hosts have to keep up with their local competitors. That said, with prices and fees going up, guests are reluctant and not at all happy if they're not getting the value they expect. Appreciate your great points!
Hey. Thanks for the reply. Yes, traditional b and b's are a real option, and usually come with the things most folks want, including hosts that spend time with you. Thanks for coming along!
In San Francisco there are currently almost 8 thousand. I don’t see how prices could be going up and the quality is going down. Ive seen a 200 dollar cleaning fee plus we have to clean before we leave. There is no saving or benefit with cameras and rules like no one in the backyard after 8pm. Totally given up and now stay at hotels only.
Hey. Thanks for the comment and coming along! The fees is one thing, but hidden cameras seems to be another recurring question. We've not encountered that one that we know of, but for sure it adds another wrinkle to this discussion. Glad you found us.
Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along. Yes, same with us. It’s fundamentally changed and we have reduced as well. Are you using hotels? Which sites do you use?
Hey. Thanks for the comment and coming along. We’ve had many, too. For sure they’re still out there, and we look for them. Just gotta make sure you find the good ones.
Florida Keys, Palm Springs and areas like this have had the price of housing go up some times by double. I hope these owners go bust and lose money selling their properties. These people have no goal except profit and have destroyed the pricing in many neighborhoods.
Thanks for the comment, and coming along with us. It is really interesting to watch the property values in areas with high short-term rental concentration. Along with the overall economy, the short-term rental market's impact on the housing costs will for sure be something to watch.
Airbnbs are generally a good deal for people with families. The kiddos have extra play space and the adults have larger areas to hang. Add a pool and bbq and they are a perfect summer getaway.
Thanks for the comment and coming along. For sure, they offer more value and space when you've got multiple people and kids. Having separate areas without separate rooms along with a yard and maybe more is for sure attractive for larger groups.
There are some really greedy hosts. Meanwhile, I just got into the game and my prices are lower than renting locally, and short-term tenants are highly vetted, so it stays filled and I still make a profit.
Hey! Thanks for your comment and coming along. For sure there are many, many great hosts and still many good values out there. You’ve just got to look harder and be cognizant of a lot. Where are you?
So this is an Airbnb owner here. It doesn’t make money. It’s not worth it. About 5% of the customers you don’t want cause they make a mess bring 20 people around cost 4-5 times the cost of utilities. They’re going to get reduced in number because of the 5% of customers that nobody wants and that will create scarcity and out the prices up
Hey!! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us. Really appreciate your feedback. We've heard about things like this, and that sounds really infuriating as an owner. Is your experience good with most of the others? Are you staying in the game?
@@dchiddengems not worth it. Out if it. Will try to a section 8 rental next. Airbnb lots of cleaning and 5% of guests are super entitled and think it should be free. Most guests are great but still cannot compete and make a profit. Airbnb is not profitable even with small mortgage and very low interest rate. Airbnb takes a huge cut. Could do outside of Airbnb but then no protection against the 5%. Overall it’s not worth it. Sorry. The bad landlords are likely the ones who make it profitable. Airbnb does not filter out the bad guests.
The Airbnb fees are too high and the cleaning fees that hosts impose are often ridiculously high. There should be a cap on cleaning fees. In my opinion, as a former AirBnB host, cleaning after guests depart is part of the job/obligation...there shouldn''t be an additional charge. hotels don't charge a cleaning fee....Just make sure you are charging enough per night to make it worth your while.
Hey. Thanks for the comment and coming along. We agree! Since cleaning is a necessary part of running the business, incorporating it into the fees like a hotel makes sense to us, too. This way whatever the situation is, the host can know they're covered and the guest can decide if they want to go or not without a lot of add-on's. Glad you found us.
Thanks for the comment and coming along with us. This comment about "hassle" has come up more and more lately. Not about cost, but just the hassle of it. Was it anything in particular that turned you off?
Hey, Erin!! As always, THANK YOU for being along with us. We are so glad you found us:) Hope you two are well and either on or getting ready for your next adventure, and see you soon!!
I just had this happen to me, was looking at apartments in Madrid for September which is not even peak season and they were also ridiculously expensive, north of $3,000/month, so then I started looking at rooms with attached baths which isn't ideal but that is all I could afford on my $1500/month budget, I see a good deal for $1000 and request to book it... host rejected and says price has gone up, now it's $1,900/month - FOR A ROOM 30 minutes out of Madrid! I told him no thank you. Another guy rejected my request and asks me to read terms and conditions first and then send me a signed affidavit that I have read TOS and accept them before he accepts my request, this is all too ridiculous. His argument is that too many people have not read his terms and conditions so he now needs signed proof before he accepts requests. I also told him no thanks.
Yup. We are staying in Madrid at a pretty good AirBnB, but it initially cost $2600/month. When I clicked reserve, it was $3,400 (taxes, cleaning service, AirBnB fee). Similar for our September booking in Madrid. October was so expensive that I think we´ll return home early.
I stayed at an Airbnb once and never again. Over priced and spent the last night of my trip cleaning the place, washing their towels and taking out the rubbish. I don’t want to do that on holiday! They also charged a cleaning fee.
Thanks for the comment and coming along. Your comments sound familiar. Chores on holiday isn't fun, and more and more it's something people are giving a second look. Glad you found us:)
It's exactly as you said: In the US, Canada and Europe, it's only worth it for longer stays and large groups. In Central and South America however, you get amazing value on Airbnb, especially since hotel costs have skyrocketed (my own experience, no credible sources to back this up). Hotels simply can't give you the same value at the same price over there. I would assume that the labor cost difference between the US/Canada/Europe and Latin American countries (management and cleaning) is the main factor.
Hey!!! Thanks for the comment and coming along. For sure there are some relative deals to be found out there. We've seen this in South America, as you mention. The less expensive labor and general lack of taxes can add up to a big difference versus more expensive areas, and especially those that add a hefty tax like Mexico City. It'll be interesting to see how things evolve. Glad you're coming along with us. See you out there!
Also their cancelation policy is horrible. I was unable to travel to France due to riots and strikes. All flights were canceled. Still couldn't get a refund
I frequently stay in Airbnbs and I’m also an Airbnb host. As a guest I’m annoyed by the endless checkout duties and absurd rules. I would never leave a property in an indecent state, but I should not be expected to thoroughly clean a property before leaving if I’m playing cleaning fees. To dissuade this behavior, I never leave five stars for hosts with unrealistic expectations. On the other hand, as a host, I understand the temptation to be overly strict. I have had guests leave my property in an unimaginable state (excrement, big parties, smoking inside). Still, this is the risk you take as a host, and I don’t think strict rules deter this kind of guest. I don’t want my only interactions with guests to be listing what they can and cannot do, it just doesn’t feel hospitable. I’ve heard that Airbnb customer service is spotty, but I have had excellent experiences as a guest. Earlier this year I stayed in an apartment that had a light odour of gas coming from a water heater, which the host refused to accept was the result of a leak. Airbnb was extremely responsive, and urged us to immediately find alternative accommodation at their expense.
What I hate the most about airbnb is the ficticious advertising. Sure, they'll post photos of the apartment/room and when I get there, the place is a dump. One time, I got an apartment in Newark, only to learn it wasn't an apartment but a seperate studio attached to a house with 3 other people living there. They also lied about parking, saying the house had a parking lot but the other tenants to the house used that spot. The place could only hold 2 cars, which was a huge problem. I had canceled halfway into night 2 which was too late if you ask me and got a hotel room.
Hey! Thanks for the comment, and coming along. That's tough! Did you get a refund? What did you do for parking? For sure you've got to really look hard at what you're getting. We've accidentally booked a studio one time, thinking it was a separate bedroom. It did call it a studio, but we totally missed it.
@@dchiddengems It was listed as an apartment in Newark 😂 I called and asked multiple times when I got there and they explained that it can be classified as an apartment because it had a seperate parlor, kitchen and bathroom. It was still attached to the house. And I got a partial refund which was about a third of what I had paid. I booked for 6 days 🥲
It made sense when the idea was that you wouldn’t get as much as a hotel offers, but it would be way cheaper. Now you don’t get as much as a hotel offers and it’s more expensive. You also get to be the maid while paying a cleaning fee. You don’t have to be Alan Greenspan to understand why this doesn’t work.
Solo or as a couple I prefer hotels, especially hotels with executive lounge access as a means for snacks, booze and socializing with other travelers benefits. Airbnb is only better when an entire family is looking to be comfortable. Airbnb made luxury hotel deals more affordable so I am glad they coexist
Nice video ! A couple of weeks ago I booked an UBER, paid and 5 minutes later I got a message that the price has changed and I needed to confirm and pay 3 times up what agreed and already paid … so guess what FU Uber ! … around midnight (6 hours laters) they refunded me …..
The shift from a making a few extra dollars by renting out the extra space to a mostly greedy investors profit machine platform has ruined ABNB and very negatively impacted local residential eco-systems.
Thanks for the comment and coming along with us. For sure, it's been a big shift with many unintended consequences. It'll be interesting to see how things settle out as demand shifts away and housing demand evolves. We're watching closely. Thanks again!
Hey again!! Thanks for the comment, and we hear you. It seems a lot of folks are seeing and getting frustrated with the current state. We for sure are modifying behavior when we can, and are hoping things will smooth out soon ,including for us, hosts, and especially the local communities impacted by all this. We've seen it, for sure, and there's a need to bring some changes. Thanks again for coming along with us, CNYC!:)
@@dchiddengems In My Experience, I had a Couple of Good Experiences at Airbnbs. But pretty quickly I started having Seriously Bad Experiences. Like the hosts, especially the FEMALE hosts, Changing their COLORS on me once we were there for more than three days. They weren't the Same Person that Greeted us the first day, So a lot of them STOPPED Getting toilet paper and Cleaning Supplies after that first Week, or even the first 3 days; and mind that I am a Single Mother with a Disabled Child and in a foreign Country that I don't know. And the hosts would just Stop getting the Shampoo and toilet paper after the first Week, and Cleaning Supplies to KEEP their OWN PLACE CLEAN. I had to BUY CLEANING SUPPLIES from MONEY, which prevented me from USING MY VACATION to EXPLORE the NEW PLACE. And these Airbnbs were FAR AWAY from the cities I wanted to Visit; So ALL my vacations were RUINED by Airbnb. MONEY WASTED.
I’ve stayed in a lot of abb for work, but now have gone back to hotels. They see it’s a work booking and pile on the cleaning fees, there’s too many oddities and different standards. Some are well run but most are run by people who shouldn’t operate what is essentially a bed and breakfast without the breakfast.
Thanks for the comment and coming along. Interesting...never thought about the fees and requirements varying for work booking. So you're all-in on hotels now for business. What about for personal travel?
During early Covid when air flights were cancelled, I had to cancel my Airbnb. I couldn’t get there. Long story short, the host refused to return my money and Airbnb support was no help. Yes, that soured me with Airbnb. Before this, I used them all the time.
Thanks for the comment and coming along. That's tough, and understand how you can be frustrated. You've really got to pay close attention to the cancellation policies, and we usually only book those with policies that give us some leeway. Covid was a different time and literally not being able to get there is tough pill to swallow. Thanks again for the comment.
It was cheap when they subsidized the prices to get growth. Now as they are public no more subsidies from VC coming in means they have to get to real prices and surprise surprise, they are now in the same range as hotels
Thanks for the comment. We've not heard of subsidies from the company. Are you aware of that happening, and if so, how? We've for sure seen the evolution of the fees by hosts as they deal with running businesses and presumably general inflation post-COVID. We for sure are looking hard at hotels for the low hassle, predictability, and general ease of cancellation when it makes sense. Thanks again!
We used AirBB because we were a family of 5 and hotels required us to rent 2 rooms. That and the ability to cook made it a great deal. Now that the kids are gone, for a couple, we can stay in one hotel room, and given the AirBB cost increases, hotels are just a better deal. Bummer, I liked the non-corporate feel of AirBBs. Drip pricing is just infuriating and turns off customers. Corporate hotels are more honest in there pricing!
Thanks for the comment, and coming along. You sound like a lot of folks we hear from: makes sense with larger groups and kids, but less and less worth it with couples and singles. To your point, also knowing what you get and having a bigger brand behind a hotel can be a nice feeling rather than the variation of the hosts on Airbnb's combined with the general increase in the cost. Thanks again!!
Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along. There are some, but you have to find them among many others. We had a great one in Mexico that provided fresh cooked breakfast every day. It was great!
I used to use AirBnb exclusively when I traveled. It USED to be a good deal. Not anymore. I don't even consider AirBnb these days and only stay at hotels. The fees and prices of AirBnb have gotten out of hand so it's no longer an option for me or my family.
Thanks for the comment, and coming along. Interesting, and similar to many we've spoken to. It's simply changed, and while at the same many places are giving out more chores and are being less predictable on quality. We're shifting ourselves, many times, to hotels, but still use ABB for long stays in areas where we find the right combination of location, property, reviews, host, and price. But more and more that's the hard thing to do, and oftentimes requires a lot of research. Thanks again for the comment!!
Hey! Thanks for the reply and coming along with us. So often, that's now the case. We've definitely had some great interactions with "real" hosts but more and more that's not the case. Glad you found us!!
Hey!! Thanks so much!! Chris really enjoys it, and has learned a lot over the last year or so. Really appreciate your good words and coming along with us!!:)
We stayed at an Airbnb in Old San Juan, PR. Huge mistake!! Water was shut off, only hotels (with their own private water supply), government offices, parks, large retailers and restaurants that paid for water trucks to come and fill tanks, had water. This wasn’t unusual, evidently, it never made the news. Some people were using the ocean as a toilet. Also, it was hot. No AC, due to intermittent electricity, not a pleasant experience. We had to buy gallons of water from convenience stores to use the toilets and for hygiene. No shower. Never again. Too much of a local experience.
I booked a place in Mexico through Agoda which is a normal hotel booking site. The owner canceled our reservation a few days before the teip and reposted it at double the price. Zero contact from the owner. Other websites that list individually owned places can also be a problem. Stick with a hotel.
NO EXAMPLES. Just general industry figs. Without specific apartments Vs specific hotels it's v confusing and hard to make judgments. BTW a 2 bed apartment costs £50 to clean here in UK minimum which is passed straight on. As host I haven't found demand falling but I can't make international comparisons without specific examples
Hey. Thanks for the comment and sharing your info. For sure, there' s no way to represent every market, and these are industry numbers, but seem to be backed up with a lot of peoples' experiences. That cleaning fee sounds reasonable, but many aren't. To your point, we never want to paint with too broad a brush, and still enjoy Airbnb's when it makes sense. Thanks again for sharing with us.
I really like the concept or AirBnb but the prices are just to absurd for what you get. Not only are prices the same as hotels the fees are absurd. Two years ago we did a 3 week vacation around Europe and we booked a couple of AirBnbs although it was not a problem having to coordinate with the hosts was just a hassle on top of that they would post deceptive photos of their bookings. We did a 2 week vacation this year but booked all hotels and it was such a hassle free vacation, even helped since we arrived early to some cities and all the hotels gladly would let us store our bags for a couple of hours before check-in so we could walk around the city.
Hey. That sounds familiar, and you bring up another good point on the storing bags, etc. Something about not having to work too hard on vacation makes hotels look pretty appealing. Glad you found us, and enjoy!
Airbnb are now firmly in the mainstream hospitality business. Even if there are still some Airbnb hosts offering a spare room in a house, those booking, are often disappointed because the expectation is for self contained accommodation. Airbnb slowly but relentlessly encouraged their hosts to offer guests a boutique hotel experience, which is fine, but it isn't what it started out as. If renting out a spare room, why would the host be wanting to provide tea making facilities and an ensuite bathroom? Hosts that try to stick to the founding principles just end up with negative reviews because customer expectations were no longer aligned with the "spare room" ethos. Airbnb is now a business and it is only a matter of time before it has to become more regulated as it is simply unfair that the mainstream hospitality industry are subjected to regulations that Airbnb businesses are allowed to bypass.
Thanks for the great comments and coming along. Great points, and makes total sense. To your points, the business has really evolved, and is fundamentally changing to what it used to compete with. Therein lies much of the reasons for the current environment. It'll be interesting to see how the business competes as it deals with the current changes and further evolution. To your point, getting away from the core offer comes with changing customer expectations, likely regulation and costs, and inevitable questions about how the business co-exists with competitors and customers. Thanks again!! We'll be watching with you!
I travel a fair amount. For a long time Airbnb was a good thing. In the last 18 months or so I have spent more time in Hotels than Airbnb. The price savings for Airbnb are generally gone. With a name brand hotel you know what you are getting. Some of the Airbnb I have stayed in were real dumps. Also with a hotel rewards program you can getter prices and in some cases included meals, usually some kind of breakfast. I'll keep checking Airbnb when I travel however the golden days of a decent Airbnb significantly cheaper than a hotel are gone.
Thanks for the comment and coming along. For sure, times have changed, and like you, the predictability of hotels along with the perks and inclusions makes us think twice, even when saving a little money. And while we like things like a washer/dryer and more space, more and more we're looking twice before pulling the trigger, and then many times going for the hotel for the reasons you mention. Thanks again!
Thanks for the comment and coming along. For sure, we've seen the STR market affect communities. Many communities are working on it, and it will be interesting to see how this evolves. Thanks again!!
Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along. For sure, with larger numbers of people and especially kids, Airbnb can still be a good choice. Just take the time to research and find what you need. Enjoy!!
Inaccurate listings and you can’t trust the reviews! I used to love AirBnB. I have celiac disease so need a kitchen to cook my own food. Recently the price has gone up and quality has gone down. Often the listings are inaccurate. We stayed in one that advertised a queen bed but it was a double and one that said it had two bathrooms but only had one with a separate shower. We recently had a very bad experience at an AirBNB and left a negative review. The host simple took the listing down and re- listed as a new listing. So you can’t even trust reviews.
One other factor to avoid AIRBNB is the ridiculous lengthy contracts the landlords want you to sign that are not dissimilar to apartment leasing documents.
Hey. Thanks for the comment and coming along. We've had this come up a couple times and are hearing more about it. In Paris our host told us it was a local requirement. For sure it's not getting any less complicated in many places!!
I have not used AirBnB in years as everyime I have tried to use it and with comparing prices and location its always the hotel that is cheaper. As a single short term stayer Hotels are cheaper (oh and always booking with the hotel is so much easier, faster and at times cheaper). I booked a stay in Madrid using Expedia and then had to add a day onto the stay and called directly the hotel. Their fee was 50 euros cheaper than the one I already boooked. Oh and booking directly has the advantage of changing the booking or getting a refund etc, didnt realise Expedia already took my payment way before arrival at the hotel and if you ever try to change it via their website its a horror show of AI annoyance. I think their goal is to make it so inconvenient, annoying and difficult that you either give up or just dont bother (either to cancel the booking, or getting a refund etc). My lesson learned is compare prices, book with the hotel (Air BnB is not cheaper single short term stayers) and have a contact person at your destination if something changes.
Cheaper and More Convenient too!! Hotels are usually located in a Good Area, Closer to the City/town where you want to Go and they CLEAN YOUR ROOM, without Charging You Extra all the time; it's part of Running that type of Business and is Required part of their Business; but Airbnb Owners ARE SCAM ARTISTS. And a lot of Airbnbs are FAR AWAY from the City/town where you want to Go.
Hey! Thanks for coming along with us. For sure, for singles, short stays and especially both hotels are just so much easier. And booking direct after comparing is a great top. Enjoy!!! Where are you heading next?
I was going to get an Airbnb Cabin in Maine. It was a small cabin in Maine with a hot tub and fire pit. In the small print “there was a fee for not covering the hot tub when not in use”. The small print also read “ the entire property (including the hot tub) was monitored by cameras”…ughh no thank you. I’ll stay at the Hilton.
Hey! Yikes. Thanks for the comment. That's a lotta cameras and a lotta rules. We've heard a lot from hosts/owners about the "small percentage of guests" who make them do such things, but it's tough when you're a respectable guest and just want a little privacy, huh?
Airbnb never was an option for me. If I go on vacation somewhere I want a hotel room. Not somebody's rental property, not be hit with insane cleaning fees, no hassle.
Hey! Thanks for the comments and coming along. This sounds familiar...you, like many others, want a no-hassle, predictable experience that doesn't risk your precious holiday time. Even if it costs the same or more. Sounds like you're all-in on hotels. Do you ever travel with larger groups? If so, do you use hotels? Thanks again!
When I went to Cartagena, Colombia with two sisters and a brother, we rent an Airbnb. The person told us there was hot water and it wasn’t and also the neighborhood was full of prostitutes during the night. The ceiling was black of humidity coming from the sea because it was close. I decided never again rent this. We had to wash dishes and take the trash out. These are vacation, I prefer hotels. Also, for security and guarantee. We can know the hotel name and locate it for a possible claim but trying to make a claim to this lady was impossible, even on the website.
I found that so many AirBnBs aren’t cleaned very well, and the furniture is always so uncomfortable. The customer service at many of the places I have stayed was awful. I would rather stay in a hotel.
Thanks for the comment, and coming along. Yeah, that's one thing we have had some issues with, even when most things were good: uncomfortable sofas and beds. And many hotels have really upped their game on beds these days. Thanks again!
You mentioned a tax for airbnbs in Mexico City; I’m assuming the government there has been collecting taxes on hotel stays forever, so that doesn’t make sense. The fee creep is the biggest reason for price increases. And as you pointed out, it was an increase that was not obvious based on the initial quoted price. Almost like it was intentional. AirBnB quite possibly was never a viable option for most travelers on the basis of value. After its “loss leader” honeymoon, it was destined to be a money grab, and ultimately priced itself out of the reach of a lot of people. And exacerbated social problems along the way. Uber was going to beat taxis on price. Airbnb was going to beat hotels on price. How gullible does Wall Street think people are? Turns out, very gullible!😢
Hey!! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us. For sure, these days, especially on platforms where it's so easy to hit "yes" and commit yourself in a speedy and efficient way, you've got to do your homework. And hear you on the investment buy side, too. Things can get a little wonky, and people can create frenzies that fundamentals and the market usually correct. So glad you found us, and thanks again for your comment.
Hey!! Thanks for the comment, and coming along with us. And LOVE YOUR SCREENNAME:) It's for sure a complex issue, and as you mention, fees and the fundamentals of businesses, management companies, and other add on's beyond the original model have layered on a lot. A few years ago, Mexico City didn't have tax on Airbnb like hotels, so it made a huge difference for ABB. A few years ago they added an ABB tax, and it's big (like 20-25%) on top of everything else. We paid more for Mexico City than most anywhere else. It's definitely time to get it rationalized, especially with the social issues you mention and we've seen directly. REALLY happy to have you come along, and see you out there!
Ok, I will share the single biggest reason for anb hikes. Its income tax. Yes, airbnb started to insist on tousist registration and tax identification for the host. For the first 10 years or so many airbnb flew right under the tax radar. So depending on where you are suddenly declaring you have to hike your prices accordingly.
Thanks for the comment and coming along. Haven't heard that, but guess it makes sense. So for a long time all this revenue was free of tax? Especially as this transitions from incidental revenue to businesses doing it, guess it is inevitable that taxes would come. Thanks for sharing.
Every Airbnb i used in Europe was pretty much an expensive fail. I personally never use it but my girlfriend used to book on it until she convinced herself it's a stupid ideea.
Thanks for the comment and coming along. A lot of folks are coming to the same conclusion. It can be surprising to see what it is once you arrive, and with the prices getting generally more expensive the question is really "is it worth it?".
@@dchiddengems Yes, fee for five nights. Budapest, Hungary so obviously a bit cheaper. Great city, I visit 1-3 times per year. Quite a lot of americans during the summer actually.
Unfortunately Airbnbs were a great deal for a quite some time while Airbnb was taking advantage of hosts not understanding the true costs of renting their space. Renting an Airbnb for cheap is allowing Airbnb itself to profit off of folks inexperience the same way Uber can take advantage of drivers that don’t decrease their earnings by the depreciation value.
I can't afford to travel and pay for hotel or AB&B, I visit my family and stay et their place, and pay for groceries and restaurant. It is a better deal and I am welcomed. I can afford that and the cost of transportation. I dont know how people can afford to travel and take vacations. I suspect that camping is the best option for many, and many have converted a minivan or their car into a camper to travel in an affordable manner.
Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us. Great way to do it!! You can really spend a lot of money just sleeping somewhere. It's great you've got family that welcomes you. We have friends who camp, but haven't done it ourselves. Have you? Thanks again.
I havent used airbnb since 2021. It really doesnt make sense anymore. I tried to book a holiday through airbnb this year but again hotels were the same price and way better. So booking it is
Thanks for the comment and coming along. For sure, taxes and fees add up everywhere, but for sure Airbnb's have really been spiking many places. Thanks again!
Thanks for the reply and coming along. For sure there's some cost to cleaning a property, especially larger ones, up to a professional standard, but more and more, to your point, they're getting expensive. Hotels of course include it in the rate, so it's already baked in. Have you done Airbnb's yet?
AirBnB's scummy "Hide the price" idiocy has caused me to NEVER even open the site. Not worth the effort and the pure anger I feel that they won't fix something that their customers hate so much. Hopefully a new company without the scummy practices will come along and put them out of business.
There were dozens of Airbnb competitors but ABnb won out because they raised the most money and subsidized those cheap initial rents so people could save money AND make money Now that they sucked in people as hosts they crank up rates so end prices explode. ABnb is not a good deal and service is so patchy. It is unsustainable
Hey! Thanks for the good words, and coming along with us. Yes, Chris (behind the camera in this video) does all the editing. This is Michael (fron of camera on this one) replying, and I've got to tell you, he's really figured it out. I have no such skills, so I try to leave him alone:) Really appreciate your kindness, and so happy you found us. See you out there!
@@dchiddengems wrong unit shown on website, no view, was meant to show Water views. Will stick to Motels in future. The other unit sliding door falling off bathroom. and just totally dusty. I always thought air bnb meant it included breakfast nope not in two that I stayed at. And not impressed with the add on prices that you get after your payment made.
Thanks for the comment and coming along. While we understand the need to make sure it's "professionally" cleaned up to a standard, the question of how the fee is set, charged, and what chores come along with paying the fee seems to be the bigger concern for most folks we talk to. To your point, if you're being charged for it, keep the chores away!!:)
I enjoy exploring foreign locations. But I now do it by watching You Tube walkabout videos. I've even been to the top of Everest and K2 mountains on You Tube.
