topic Re: booking off airbnb web site in Travel

booking off airbnb web site

fingerlakesny — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 11:25:06 GMT

We are going to visit Florida in February. We are staying in Fort Meyers for a week. Has anyone booked a home off the airbnb web site? I was wondering how your experience was. Are their fees for this. This is all new to me! Thanks to everyone in advance.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

amyb — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 12:45:14 GMT

We did...we wound up cancelling last year during Covid times and bad weather also. Anyway...it was easy. Easy to cancel also, no cancellation fees, (all the way up to two wks before.)

I believe there were some fees but it's all explained there, and Hosts are so communicative if you email/message them any questions.

Good luck! We are planning on booking an Air B&B for winter as well...my initial search found a lot already booked and that was a few months ago. And some out of our desired price range (we had hoped to go for about a month.) Gotta start the search again...and we may have to limit the stay to less time.

We were hoping to start "experimenting" the "snow-bird" idea...but for this year, starting so late to book, we may be lucky just to book a little 8-10 day winter vacay.

Good Luck!

ps. I have relatives and friends always using Air B&B now...she's found GREAT deals at beautiful spots all over. Also have 2 friends who are hosts, and been quite successful.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

proudlyfromNJ — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 12:41:18 GMT

@fingerlakesny We used them last summer and this summer in Mass. and RI. A family member did the booking so I don't know all the ins and outs but she said everything was easy. Houses were beautiful, had everything we needed and owners were always available by text for any questions or problems.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

itsmagic — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 13:27:05 GMT

We haven’t used Airbnb but have used VRBO to rent a house every summer for a week. The houses have been great and the owners responsive to anything. About a month ago we did our summer house rental and a bad storm went through one evening. The owners texted us to see if we lost power and to make sure all was okay.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

Neetgal2 — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 13:43:43 GMT

Great experience with VRBO unit. My daughter left a tote bag and we were never contacted! I booked an AIRBNB for this fall and had to cancel due to health reasons by one of the participants. Once I reserved and got the address I went online to get directions and saw the property was in foreclosure?

My daughter should have been more responsible along with her husband with this bag.

I would use both. The fees are shown.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

catmama — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 18:43:44 GMT

I've used airbnb and VRBO several times, both overseas and domestically and have never had an issue. Accomodations have been as stated on the sites and owners were very helpful when needed. I usually go with places that have a high number of reviews and read both positive and negative ones, just like here.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

Travone — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 18:45:15 GMT

@fingerlakesny I've never booked on AirBNB, but I have used VRBO many times and they are owned by the same company.

Make sure you read the reviews and book one that has many reviews, and they are good. VRBO also has what they call premier hosts. These hosts have been around quite awhile and have been vetted.

I just got back from a trip to Phoenix using a premier host on VRBO. The home and experience was exactly as promised.

Fees and alll will be displayed when you book so there should not be any surprises for you.

Enjoy your trip.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

Mellyg — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 03:38:29 GMT

Ive used VRBO and couldn't be happier with the service provided. The description was accurate, in addition, the host was very helpful with a few questions we had prior to booking. He greeted us at the property when we arrived to acclimate us. We ended up inquiring about staying a few extra days, he was able to do so bypassing vrbo and gave us an incredible price.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

Twins Mom — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 05:17:11 GMT

But how does one know the legitimate participants from the bogus ones? What steps do you take to prevent arriving to no lodging?

Re: booking off airbnb web site

Caffeina — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 22:16:16 GMT

@Twins Mom wrote:
But how does one know the legitimate participants from the bogus ones? What steps do you take to prevent arriving to no lodging?

@Twins Mom

On Airbnb you can see reviews for the properties. You can also look at a user's profile and see reviews. You don't have to be a member to read them.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

ScrapHappy — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 22:32:33 GMT

I almost did last Spring. I thought the hotel options in the area we were looking at were too expensive. When I looked into airbnb and added it all up, it came out pretty close to the hotel prices and sometimes more. Airbnb fees differ. We found some that charged $50 cleaning fee, and others $200 plus. Also, some will provide towels, sheets, toilet paper, etc. and some it's bring your own.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

Twins Mom — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 02:53:46 GMT

Hear good comments about ArBnB, etc but read something disturbing that I want to pass on. Young adults rented ArBnB in Nashville. Left keys, computers etc in home while they went out using Uber. Home was entered with no forced entry and cars, etc stolen. Police report that its happening frequently. I don't mean to talk ill of Nashville because I have a feeling this might be happening elsewhere. What a sad state.

Re: booking off airbnb web site

Sooner — Thu, 27 Jan 2022 03:22:32 GMT

How do you know one isn't in a bad section of town? That would worry me. And how do you know the sheets have been washed lately?

Re: booking off airbnb web site

depglass — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 15:22:03 GMT

We used VRBO once maybe 6 years ago. They held our money for 24 hours over the weekend while the owner was not replying. Turns out this was a realtor misrepresenting the property at a very attractive price and it was not available. At that point she said she and her friends had several houses available in the area. (to be rented directly) Her photo was also by a professional. Now that I'm more familiar with these websites I would have turned her in and hopefully got her bounced.