I stayed in a great pace in Kotor, Montenegro in July for 4/5 days with 5 others and in worked out about 25 Euro each for the whole time. Conversely Ive heard some horrid stories from people I met in other places. Depends on the individual renting the accommodation out. If you have a good or bad experience make sure you review them to help others in the future.

In my experience the cleanliness has been top notch. I generally use places that have had many guests before so the host is pretty serious about giving the best possible experience. You see many ads for people who are doing it as a one off or others with extremely strict rules that it isn't worth the hassle doing business with them.

That apartment in NYC. The bed was heaven to sleep in. A kitchen can be handy too if you're sick of restaurant meals 14 days in a row. Whip up a stir fry or fruit salad.

Ive looked at the site but haven't used it yet. They have reviews by people who have stayed there so maybe that might help.

I'm not sure, guess it depends on the individual host. Check out the comments for a place on Airbnb.

From those who have used these sites - How clean have the places been upon arrival?

Are the beds as crisply clean-fresh as you can expect from a hotel?

Bathroom sparkling etc?

I guess I just worry that, because individuals aren't governed by the same health laws as hotels, that they could cheap out on cleanliness.

Yeah I might have a similar deal arranged.

Edited by A16Man: 5/10/2014 11:46:11 PM

Sounds like something that would only have happened in the 50s and 60s....

You're not wrong there.:lol:

And everything looks prettier and more modern.

Plus their logo looks like a vagina

I checked out HomeAway ....it looks good too. Thanks for that. Yeah its strange...why AirBnB get more press. Maybe they are better at marketing. I think part of the reason is AirBnb integrates Facebook as part of its verification process and it seems a bit more validated in line with people on a Social Media level.

Depends. If it's their granny flat out the back and they're the sociable type then yes. Happened to us in the Czech Republic.

If it's their holiday home or flat and it's 100kms from where they live then no. (Like we stayed at in Vienna.)

We used airbnb in Europe but the one we used more was this site. http://www.homeaway.co.uk/lettings/europe/r5

Absolutely brilliant. Not sure why airbnb gets all the kudos when there are other sites similar about the place.

We travelled for 3 months as a family of 5 and stayed in 10 European countries, in 2 bedroom apartments mainly, for an average of $75 AUD/night. (The Euro at the time was $1AUD = 0.8 Euro cents.) But still miles and miles cheaper than grotty motels and hotels in Australia.

Are the hosts sociable as well? As in they will take you around and show you the city,etc.

Surprised some on here don't know it. Of course more Australians are finding out about it. Got myself a nice 70 square meter apartment in NYC right next to Central Park for $120 US a night. No cleaning fee or security deposit either. The price of this place has doubled in the last 2 years though and the NYC council has become really strict on this as it appears to be a breach of local laws.

Of course getting caught out is more a problem for the tenant. Mostly it's the landlord who spots some stranger around his building and investigates. It's been documented a lot in the media and has since been banned in Hamburg and Berlin. It won't be stopped and the stats show how much tourism money the site can bring to cities by making accommodation affordable against rip off hotel prices. It's a shame as a very nice idea has been stomped on in some great cities.

The site is good as you can choose if you want the whole place, a room or a share. Many people do it while they're out of town or they just go stay with a friend while the guest's cash rolls in. Most people on there are honest. My gf had to pick up the keys to an apartment from the corner shop owner so it shows that the community is in on this too.

You can rent out full apartments and homes.

Yes.

My old housemate used it to rent out his room when he went away Dec-Jan. All the guests I had were lovely, honest people. On the very rare occasion you get a dickhead who breaks or steals something, AirBnB fix it up because insurance is included. I'd recommend them for sure.

Forgive the ignorance, what is airbnb? I quickly googled it, and all I could gather is people rent out bedrooms/lofts/sofas/air mattresses in living rooms for you to crash on for a period of time, and the hosts cook you eggs and bakey in the morning?

In other words, it's an informal, global BnB network. :-k

swear by airbnb in Europe, never tried it here.

Yep. I'm currently o/s and have stayed in one in London and are about to head to one in Paris.

Stayed in one in Sydney late last year too.

It's a great idea. Good way to meet locals and get a locals perspective and advice.

For the main destinations you will find heaps of options just think about what you need - also given you may stay suburban you also have to think of the commute - which is significant for a place like London.

Thanks dude. Sounds good. Sounds like more of a relaxed and laid back sort of arrangement instead of the overpriced deals you see online for hotel accommodation....sounds like less drama too.

Yep have used it 20+ times in four or five countries and have never had a problem. Everyone I've come into contact with through there has been great too.

Obviously it's a huge difference staying at a BNB than a hotel, but keep in mind a lot of the stuff on Airbnb aren't actually bnbs, but just places that people rent out when they're not home (ie; a lot of them are commuters that travel for weekly work), or they have several buildings on their property, which I suppose is just like a bnb.

With a bit of research and review reading you can't go too wrong. Good alternative too a hotel if you want something a little more low key.

Anyone here used Airbnb? Any good.
How does it compare to the usual options like Hotels.