Airbnb
4.4
5.7
Overall Score
Author: Kalicia Bateman
LAST UPDATED: March 2nd, 2022
The Good
- Accommodation booking
- Unique experience
- Booking options
- Sorting tool
- Reviews and ratings
Accommodation Booking
Traditional travel booking sites try to get users to book as many accommodations on their site as possible. In this attempt, several travel sites provide the exact same services without providing anything unique to the traveler. Fortunately, there are platforms like Airbnb that make up the difference. Rather than spreading efforts thin to obtain as many reservations as possible, Airbnb solely focuses on their accommodation booking service.Unique Experience
Airbnb offers a unique experience to those looking to stray from the typical hotel perspective of traveling. A network of "hosts" must qualify to list their properties on Airbnb. These hosts can be found in the U.S. and internationally. The ability to stay in the middle of a big city or off in a small, rural town is something that makes Airbnb stand out from traditional booking bureaus.Booking Options
With Airbnb, travelers can book for just a night, a week, or even a month depending on the listing and location. One of the benefits to using Airbnb is that travelers can experience a unique side to their travel destination not otherwise available in a hotel. For instance, travelers can book the following:- Apartments
- Town homes
- Condos
- Homes
- Villas
- Castles
Sorting Tool
Since Airbnb has millions of properties for travelers to choose from, finding the right accommodation can take some time. To minimize the research process, Airbnb instituted a sorting tool. This feature allows users to filter based on the following criteria:- Pricing (range or low to high, high to low)
- Guest star rating - based on what real customers have experienced
- Amenities - what is included in the property
- Proximity - distance to landmarks or airports
- Type - accommodation type whether it is condo, apartment, house, etc.
Reviews and Ratings
Another feature that benefits its travelers are the reviews and ratings. The rating system is also a helpful took to prospective travelers and even for Airbnb hosts. At the end of each stay, the host will rate the guests (based on how their property was treated) and the guests will rate the listing/host. These ratings help those who are looking to book using Airbnb and keeps guests from booking who find it difficult to treat the properties with respect.The Bad
- Restrictions
- Accommodations booking only
Restrictions
While Airbnb is a worldwide platform, not all destinations are available for lodging. Various laws and other restrictions keep Airbnb from being able to work in specific markets. There are also some limitations as to where a traveler can visit and stay. While they do operate in nearly 200 countries, there are some cities that do not allow Airbnb listings. So, if a traveler is set on one of those cities, they will need to book a traditional hotel.Accommodations Booking Only
While Airbnb does provide an entirely original traveling experience, it only takes care of one aspect of the booking process. Most traveling agencies allow their travelers to book a number of their accommodations through their bureau, but Airbnb focuses solely on where the traveler will stay throughout their trip. That means the following cannot be booked using Airbnb:- Flights
- Travel Activities
- Cruises
The Bottom Line
- Unique travel accommodations - stay in properties that would not otherwise be available
- Cut costs on large groups - split the costs per night to save money
- See the world - Airbnb has listings both in the U.S. and internationally
- Extra booking efforts required - travelers will need to book their flights and other travel necessities elsewhere
- Sorting tool - quickly filter through hundreds or even thousands of lodging options
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Jim A Chicago, IL
Don’t use AirBnb! They put their greed for profit ahead of guest safety.
I rented a condo in Houston that had german Cockroaches in the wall. The host knew this and never disclosed this. The host accepted my reservation on 8/23 then had the place treated on 8/26, with future treatments needed. My arrival was on 9/5 and on the 3 morning I seen Cockroach coming out of the sink. Then I notice smaller cockroaches in the shower which blended into the dark shower tile. Plus I noticed smaller cockroaches coming out of the cracks in the floor trim.
By no means was this place safe to rent out or live in. The host knew all of this as she texted me on 9/8 a screen shot of the service the exterminator did on her condo. Which also indicated future treatment in 2 weeks based on scheduling availability. The Cockroach Condo host had no problem NOT disclosing any of this to the Guest, me.
Airbnb, customer support was the worst I have ever dealt with. The constantly have me orbital dialog and would not give me honest answers. I requested multiple times to have my case escalated up to higher management, but then again they played games with me and would never let me work with upper management. The customer support reps I dealt would could not speak clear english and talked in a foreign tone. Their understanding of meaning of words didn’t make sense at all. They made mistakes and charged my credit card higher amounts to confuse the situation.
I requested a full refund as the place was not SAFE to live in from the first day. Not to mention all my personal property was exposed to German COCKROACHES to spread Cockroaches to any new place I travel to. I spend days treating my personal property to kill any cockroaches that crawled into my clothes, boxes, and personal items.
I put up a review on the Cockroach Condo and called out the host for knowing she had cockroaches and was a dishonest person for not disclosing this. AirBnB, took down my review and would not let me post a new one. AirBnB put this host ahead of guest safety as they believe their GREED for profit is more important. I went round and round with a customer service rep, but they claim its the RULES of AirBnB to not let me post a new review. So people, the REVIEW are not honest and you can’t trust them as AirBnB take down the negative reviews.
I requested a breakdown what I was charged, but again I got orbital dialog and never received breakdown of what I was charged. I should have gotten a FULL REFUND, but AirBnB is greedy and sided with the COCKROACH CONDO host. How sick is this???
Walnut Bend Ln, Houston, TX 77042
I book another place in Rockport, which had cockroaches too. I never enter that place again either.
AirBnB has Host that know they have cockroaches.
Who want to rent a place that has cockroaches in it? NOBODY, let alone the HOSTS being dishonest.
Worst experience I have ever had. This company is a 0 out of 5 rating review
5 years ago
