Airbnb
Is This Your Business?3.8
3.8
Author: Kalicia Bateman
LAST UPDATED: March 25th, 2022
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Great options
- Easy to use
- Mobile app
- Over 1.5 million listings
- Lodging in over 34,000 cities
- Available in 190 countries
- Over 1,400 rentals in castles
- Convenient search options to find your perfect place
- A mobile app for easy booking on the go (compatible with iOS and Android)
- Instant booking features once you have an account
- Popularity information such as "This place is typically completely booked"
The Bad
- Additional fees
- Time consuming
- Varied cancellation policies
- 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.
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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Philip Ray Los Angeles, CA
Used in '14 Lake Tahoe. Had good fortune relative left me money in will and we wanted to take our adult kids 2 and wives and 2 teens ultimate family vacation. Tahoe was chosen as we could drive from So Cal and no air fair . We chosenLake Tahoe as We could kayak and skin dive in clear cold water and do adult activities gaming at Harrahs Harveys Mont Blu casinos. Tahoe kid friendly with arcade in Harveys. The large chalet with wifi and high end stainless Stella appliances and pool table foose ball and 3 TV s . It was Challet David you can check out airbnb . The communication seem less and we could email or call owner nice man Bay Area . This wasn't the cheapest rental but suited our needs and my wife who uses walker and somewhat handicapped. We will use in Hawaii on family trip to celebrate my grandson graduating High School. Your money's safe and very easy to take over property and check out .
11 years ago
Jo S.P. Niagara Falls, NY
Hotels will be my last option from now on! The personal and positive experiences my husband and I have had (both hosting guests and staying as guests) have far surpassed even the most expensive and best hotel stay! As a host, I enjoy Airbnb "bringing the world to us." On any given week, we could host guests from Dubai one day, Bogata the next, Nepal the next, and Gary, Indiana the next. The cities/ countries are continually changing. I haven't had the opportunity to do much traveling overseas,so it's exciting to be able to sit with guests and listen to stories about their homeland from their perspective, not that of the media.
We also have the opportunity to share the " best kept local secrets" with our guests.
As a traveller, meeting other hosts and experiencing the wonderful travel tips they have to offer has been equally gratifying.
Travelers should expect that staying in someone's home WILL BE very different than staying in a hotel. You are being invited into the host's home and therefore, you should do your homework prior to requesting a reservation. Things you should look for: house rules, the host's profile, reviews from past guests (I even went as far as sending an email to one of the previous guest's to ask a specific question and was SUPER glad I did!), check in and out times, and cancellation policy (which is at the sole discretion of the host, not Airbnb).
As a host, I do the same thing. I ask a lot of questions such as: What are you coming into town for? Who will be traveling with you? What are your expectations for your stay (ie. Are you looking for total quiet, a party in our yard, lots of hiking trails, a place to gather with family)? The more I ask prior to accepting guests, the less surprises I expect.
And just a note about cancellations from a host's perspective.....if I block out our apartment for you three months out, and you decide to cancel two days before, there's a good chance I will not be able to re-book the apartment and would be out a fair amount of money. There is a good chance I would have been able to get other bookings during the three months the dates were blocked. On the other hand, if you have a real emergency, I will work with you.
All that being said, my husband and I just booked a cross country trip staying at 13 different Airbnb rentals along the way and we are looking forward to meeting our hosts, as much as we are to seeing the sites! Happy traveling!
11 years ago
Gail W Armand Hilo, HI
I am a host and a guest. As a guest, the places I have stayed at have all been nicer than any hotel or resort in the same price range. The hosts have been friendly and helpful. It is possible to have ongoing dialogue with hosts before you go somewhere you have never been, and gain a better sense of how you would like to spend your time there.
As a host, my goal is to offer our guests the best vacation experience they have ever had. Due to the nature of our guest house, most who stay are couples on their honeymoon. Their happiness is our happiness. Airbnb provides a platform where what we offer can be showcased, by reviews and through the wishlists our unique spot appears upon. It is closer to word-of-mouth than advertising.
In the time I have been listed with Airbnb, there has been one guest who was opportunistic in his dealings with us and when he left, stole things from our house. Airbnb extended payment to me from their end for the items taken. Due to their culture of responsibility, this particular guest is unlikely to worm his way into another person's home and leave with their art pieces. Other vacation rental sites do not screen out anyone - it is strictly up to the host to make a decision. It is pretty hard to spot a thief from a rental request.
No site is perfect. Any business with the volume of AIrbnb is going to have some people who cannot be made happy, and some people who are out to cause trouble any way they can. The review by Dave on this site seems unhelpful because Airbnb collects money from the guest and does not release it until the day after check in. So how does one get screwed out of $5000?
11 years ago
edward reese Hyattsville, MD
This has truly changed how i travel. No matter what city or country i travel to, i'm always including AirBnB in my search. I have had great experiences as a customer and looking forward to hosting folks myself at my house someday. Site is easy to use and reviews are helpful. customer service is quick to respond to problems so you feel like you can always ask questions.
7 years ago
Natalia Podolsky San Diego, CA
Customer Service Went Above and Beyond
My experience with customer service was above and beyond what I could have ever expected. I had to reach out about a cancellation due to an emergency and I was treated with kindness, respect, and empathy. Bryan S. and Kathy S. made a not so great experience better. I wish I knew their full names so I could give them proper credit! Airbnb, you have amazing employees on your customer service team.
Thank you,
9 years ago
Jay Keller, TX
I have used Airbnb twice, both in NYC. The first time was a bad experience. My contact person was rude and dismissive, the apartment looked great in the photos but was rundown and subpar in person. The bathroom was rundown and the owners soap and shampoo bottles littered the shower. The bedroom window wouldn't close (it was August!) and the stove didn't work. Also, I was instructed to leave my key at the laundry around the corner when I left but I had to leave early in the morning before the laundry opened so I had no choice but to leave the key on the kitchen counter. I emailed the owner to inform him and received a response three weeks later telling me that was a bad decision and the apartment could have been robbed. All around, a BAD experience. The second stay was the complete opposite! Great communication from the owners, the apartment was spotless, the kitchen and bathroom were fantastic and in working order, the bed was very comfortable and the window unit worked beautifully. I will give Airbnb another chance but I hope my first experience isn't typical.
11 years ago
Ryan Pleasant Grove, UT
My wife and I used AirBnb when we visited Europe in May. Thanks to AirBnb we had the opportunity to stay with Europeans throughout Europe. We were able to live like locals. We also saved tons of money because we were able to cook in the homes. We were also surprised to find that each place was significantly cheaper than a hotel.
Each of our hosts were very nice and helpful. Our host in Paris even took us to the metro station nearby to show us how everything works. Very kind!
We highly recommend AirBnb to anyone looking to save money and live like locals!
11 years ago
SR Redmond, OR
We are Airbnb hosts in Bend, Oregon. We offer 4 short-term rentals exclusively though Airbnb. We have tried other rental portals and Airbnb is by far the best for a number of reasons.
One of the most important aspects of Airbnb is the verification of guests and hosts. We pretty much know who our guests are and why they are visiting. That's ultimately very important to us. Also, guests can see who we are. Other portals like VRBO do not have the same level of trust and we often got scammer inquiries. That does not happen with Airbnb or at least never has with us. We host between 200 - 250 guest booking per year and have never been scammed.
Airbnb also really promotes reviews. Both from guests and hosts. We maintain a 5 Star rating from 80% to 95% of our guests and the remainder are 4 star. I would say that we leave 5 star reviews for 99% of our guests.
Communication between guests and hosts is also highly encouraged and the vast majority of times will avert any issues or misunderstandings.
We have never travelled through Airbnb so we don't have any personal experience in that regard. But the guests we have talked to really like the Airbnb experience as compared to other rental portals.
So from a host perspective we give Airbnb very high marks. They are not perfect in every way but they are the best at what they do and continue to listen to both guests and hosts on ways to improve.
Thanks for reading this review.
11 years ago
Sydney Proctor Oakland, CA
I am a superhost, and have been hosting guests since 2012. Airbnb has always been responsive and supportive. The only thing I would like to see them add is a hotel tax widget so the 11% room tax in Santa Cruz could be tracked and summarized at summer's end. It would make it easier for me to pay the city. My guests have all been fantastic! I have encountered great hosts and properties allong the way as I have traveled. Great company, great vallue!
11 years ago
Robin Whitburn Lady Lake, FL
I have loved being an airbnb host (2 properties) and guest since 2012. With about 50+ hostings with the company, I have never had a bad experience. I have only stayed as a guest a couple of times but it is now my preferred way to travel! Airbnb makes the process easy and streamlined. By being able to see all the reviews for either hosts or guests, I feel a very good level of trust and comfort with each booking that I agree to. I love airbnb!
11 years ago
Kelley Albuquerque, NM
We used them in two different cities....Boston and NYC on vacation this summer and they both were great experiences. I was nervous but I think doing enough research was why we had great experience. I communicated with them before booking to getting a feel. I wouldn't stay with someone that had less than 20 reviews good or bad and lastly stay with someone who has all their verifications completed. We will use again I'm sure but again I know not everyone is the same. I loved this site....
11 years ago
Peggy Abby Federal Way, WA
I have been using AirBnB for over 2 years with nothing but positive experiences. I traveled through Europe last year for 3 months very nicley with only using them.
Now I rent my home and have had the nicest people as guests. I just used htem for staying in Portalnd this last week successfully too!
The staff has been very responsive and helpful the few times I have needed them. I couldn't be more pleased.
11 years ago
Kendle Cole Portland, OR
I had a issue with a host and my hand was twisted to cancel due to not trusting the host, and the host trying to get additional money out of me. I reached out to air bnb after my refund of $20 out of $135 was stated. Air Bnb helped me get the whole refund as well as are looking into assisting me with my new reservations that I had to book. (FYI my reservation was cancelled 4 days before My wedding and this was my Get ready place)
11 years ago
Mario Martin Montgomery, TX
My family and I are arranging a family celebration for 10, and we were at a loss for lodging arrangements for a group of 10 people, with comfortable amenities and convenience. We contacted Airbnb and immediately given affordable lodging ideas and choices. Now, our only concerns are making the best choice with the best value. Airbnb had it all right at the tips of our fingers without hassle.
4 years ago
Scott A. Johnson Orem, UT
Airbnb is my go-to website to find a home or condo to rent while on vacation. The site shares good details and images of the rental properties including reviews by users. The site is easy to search and the maps of where the property is located is helpful.
6 years ago
Wayne Young Little Rock, AR
Airbnb always does a good job giving you a good expectation of what to expect from the home where you will stay. They are thorough and accurate. It is also a easy process to book and pay. Highly recommend if you need a house to stay at short term.
6 years ago
Eddie Rios Ogden, UT
Airbnb has offered us some great vacation properties for rent. They are safe to use, offer great communication to property owners and have easy to understand contracts. Any issues have always been handled easily by Airbnb. Highly recommended service.
6 years ago
Tanner Cook Gilbert, AZ
Airbnb has changed the way that I search for places to stay on vacation. Many times, you’re able to stay and a nice, spacious home for the cost of a high quality hotel. Anytime I go on vacation, I am always checking Airbnb to find the best place to stay
7 years ago
Hannah Pleasant Grove, UT
Arg, it's hard to give Airbnb 3 out of 5 stars. We've had so many great trips on a tight budget thanks to the rentals Airbnb lists. However, you can't get around the fact that it is almost impossible to find the customer service number on the website. That says a lot! And unfortunately, once you get in touch with them, they are entirely useless. We recently had a trip where we had two different communications with the customer service department and in both instances, despite dozens of assurances that they would "get back to us by such-and-such a time," we wouldn't hear back from them for days. They never solved our issues. They legitimately do not care about the customers. The concept of Airbnb rocks, but everything else kinda stinks.
8 years ago
Hayley Lambdin Orem, UT
Airbnb is freaking incredible. I have used it on several occasions. It's so awesome! Way more affordable than hotels, especially in touristy areas, and it's a unique experience. I seriously use it all the time and will most likely continue to use it when I travel!
8 years ago
Sam Winster Rutherford, NJ
I understand that AirBNB has a higher rate to pay because they want to ensure that everyone has a great stay, but I don't mind that. I've stayed in some really crappy places before and I don't mind paying a bit more to make sure that I have a great experience.
I never had any problems with them and the places that I have stayed in, have been great. I've traveled all over with them I will continue to do so. Plus, they are there in a pinch too.
I would recommend AirBNB to anyone looking for a place to stay that's not an expensive hotel.
10 years ago
Paola Ramirez Dallas, TX
I used Airbnb in 4 different countries in Europe. My second host was an hour late to my arrival, I called Airbnb and they made me feel safe and assured me if my host did not show up in the next hour they were going to get me another place to stay. My fourth host tottaly lied about her place, it was filthy and scary, of course I did not stayed there, after my arrival back home, Airbnb refunded me for the unpleasant and dirty place. I will recommended 100%. Safe and great customer service. A+
11 years ago
Rebecca Hudson Greenville, SC
I am an Airbnb user, first as a guest, and now as a host. I have had mostly satisfactory experiences as a guest. One of my stays was not a good fit for me, and I left early, but at $15 a night, I didn't even ask for my money back. As a host, I provide a clean, safe, and comfortable place to stay at a price that is much lower than local hotels. I can't speak for everyone, but Airbnb has been good to me, all the way around, I've met some lovely people, and haven't had any guests who were dishonest or unpleasant.
11 years ago
Maureen Malden, MA
I have nothing but great things to say about AIRBNB. I just got back from a 2 week trip to Italy and rented all 4 properties through AIRBNB......The people were great, the properties were great, the prices were amazing! I have absolutely NO REGRETS about using AIRBNB and can't wait to book my next trip. That is my personal experience, I can't speak for others. It was very easy...all the property listings matched the places we stayed. I made sure to read many/all reviews before booking a property, and always got a timely response. I am very happy with the service. Thank you so much!
11 years ago
davidmckown@cox.net Great Bend, KS
We have our vacation rental home ~ Chalet Rio Hondo - Taos House listed with Airbnb as a Host and have had nothing but good luck with all aspects of renting to Airbnb folks. Their membership seems to attract or screen good quality home renters. From a Host's standpoint the Airbnb web site is accurate and user friendly (just do not try using in linked to Facebook).
11 years ago
Patree Crescent City, CA
I have been an airbnb host for more than two years now. I have people staying with me in a small cottage I occupy. If guests think airbnb is unresponsive, try being a host! I have contacted them about a number of problems they have created for me, and each response has been platitudes about how great a host I am and no actual help. In the latest, they changed their calendar and removed my blocking three weeks in October so I can take a trip myself. I had to apologize to the guest trying to reserve the room during that time and re-block those weeks.
I'm waiting for another rental site for those of us offering a private room in our homes, and I'll jump immediately. Bottom line: I work hard to please guests and airbnb doesn't care about me.
11 years ago
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Anne Sainsbury Orem, UT
I love Airbnb! I have used it a number of times during the past few years after getting married and I prefer using a service like Airbnb now to staying at a hotel. The website is super easy to use and I have not had a negative experience yet with the rentals that we have used. We have typically looked for locations that have a number of good reviews, so I would recommend at least trying to do that. We will continue to use Airbnb for years to come!
5 years ago
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Eliza Jane Arledge Smithfield, UT
Airbnb is always my go to for a trip, especially for large groups. Airbnb is such a great way to stay connected with every one in you group unlike you would be able to in hotel rooms where everyone is split up. Airbnb does a great job making it easy to contact the owner of the house you are staying in and always has clean affordable homes that fit your needs. My experience with Airbnb has been nothing but good things.
5 years ago
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Larson Riverton, UT
Airbnb has been a fantastic option for my family when traveling. Reserving an entire home, rather than staying in hotels while on vacation, is the best choice for our family of seven. We love having room to spread out, and having all the comforts of home. A full kitchen is excellent and saves us from spending a ton at restaurants. The hosts we have stayed with have been extremely kind and welcoming.
6 years ago
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Natalie Drewery ,
Love what Airbnb has done for the travel world. We have had more intimate and amazing travel experiences because of the places we've been able to find through Airbnb. I definitely prefer booking with an Airbnb location to a hotel because it gives me the sense of actually living in the location instead of just being a tourist. It's a great way to help decide if I could make the jump and move to the place we are visiting.
6 years ago
Abigail Land Tallahassee, FL
Great to find a place to stay on vacation. The search filters are helpful to find exactly what you want whether its pets being allowed or beachside it has a filter that is easy to use.
4 years ago
Luke Swierczynski Troy, MI
Every time I've used Airbnb for my vacations they always have some fantastic locations available thanks to their hosts. I'll periodically take a look and see if anyone has cheap rentals for an impromptu trip.
4 years ago
Morgan Tennant Rexburg, ID
Airbnb makes finding a place to stay while on a weekend trip into the city or a weeks-long trip in the mountains so easy! It's very easy to contact the renter and it's super affordable!
5 years ago
Isabelle Hong Pleasant Grove, UT
Airbnb provides quality lodging for relatively cheap rates. I have used airbnb many times and it has been a great experience each time. Airbnb makes you feel at home even when you're on the other side of the world.
7 years ago
Thomas Hullinger Pleasant Grove, UT
I have used Airbnb for my own trips and trips with the family. I love the selection and the information and pictures that can give me a real life picture of what it will be like. I like the individual owners too, they help one to get a better background on each location.
8 years ago
Patrick Orem, UT
This company is so cheap and reliable. It is good quality places that are really affordable. All my hosts have been really nice. All my experiences were great. I highly recommend it.
8 years ago
Chelsea Stewart Salt Lake City, UT
I have used airbnb for years. When I first began using it, it was very basic and small and I LOVED it. Over time it has gotten bigger, harder to use and SO much more expensive. What's with all the fees? Rooms that used to be affordable are so much more expensive. I'll say it again, what's with all the fees? They used to not have them and I miss it. Overall great resource for places to stay that are different and more convenient.
9 years ago
Christopher Haueter Salt Lake City, UT
I have only had good experiences with AirBnB. Sometimes the listings on there are sketchy but you can always find good deals and there is a large variety, so finding the one for you is really easy. Prices are also good making it a great option if you don't want to spend money on a pricey hotel.
9 years ago
Paul Roncallo Port Chester, NY
As a host when it comes to collecting damages left by guests forget it. I sent 5 pictures of damages done in home and was willing to accept a fraction of cost since I did most repairs and cleaning myself.
As a result of the damage done we no longer rent our personal home out. The fact we could not get even $ 150 from airbnb for damage was just a further insult. I did leave negative feedback on family who left our home a mess but they had good feedback when we rented it to them, take that with a grain of salt. I am currently looking for another rental service to take care of my other rental property.
10 years ago
Shon Los Angeles, CA
EXCELLENT! I'm so glad I found Air BnB - wish I had found it sooner. It's only been 4 months of hosting but I have met some of the most amazing people from all over the planet.
11 years ago
Mel San Ramon, CA
Great experience when staying at an AirBnb hosts residence. Easy to use website. Well put together company. Will use them for lodging as well as hosting AirBnb members who need lodging.
11 years ago
Bramdi Canoga Park, CA
Used airbnb in 3 different cities in Italy....all 3 were great!! ...In Venice... it was much better than expected... all hosts were wonderful... I will definitely use it again... in fact the only bad place I stayed in Europe was a hotel
11 years ago
Larry Coons Tampa, FL
I've used AirBnB all around the world since 2011. I have always had a delightful experience and have met the best people. No regrets and always feel safe and secure with all of the places.
11 years ago
Hp Oak Park, CA
I booked an Airbnb in Santa Barbara last December for UCSB graduation weekend in June -- possibly the busiest Santa Barbara weekend of the year and the one in which hotels jack up their rates into the stratosphere. I felt very fortunate to find and book a 2-bedroom condo for 4 at a rate of $178.00 per night. One week prior to arrival the host cancelled, leaving me high and dry. An airbnb host can cancel at the last minute, and the guest, who has paid in full, has no recourse. After several tense hours of searching, I finally located a place for $134.00 more. All airbnb was willing to offer me was a $70.00 credit toward a future reservation. I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and ultimately received a refund of the additional $134.00. Airbnb is all about protecting the host, but does very little to help a guest, who has fully prepaid, when a host flakes out. That policy needs to change.
11 years ago
Julie Ransom Marlton, NJ
I have been a host for six years. I have had a front row seat to experience the exponential growth of the company.
This growth has come at a price. They have a severe shortage of customer service reps, they often launch new tools online without fully testing them, and unless it involves a small amount of money (under $100) they usually side with guests in a dispute.
There are bad actors on both sides. Hosts who see those dollar signs and an easy way to make money but do not keep their properties clean, or are out and out trying to con people out of their money.
There are guests that don't read the listing and expect an airbnb experience to be the same as staying at the Marriott around the corner. There are guests who rent as a means to scope out your place, to later come out and rob you. There are guests who shoot porno movies at an airbnb property.
While these bad actors represent a very small minority, if you consider the millions of airbnb users, it is unfortunately inevitable that this should happen.
I personally think airbnb should put on the brakes for all the marketing it is doing and focus on providing superlative customer service to both guests and hosts and to fix the many bugs in their web site so it's easier for everyone to use.
As a host, airbnb has had a transformative effect on my life. When I started I was unemployed and rented one room out of my house so I could keep the lights on. Now, it's a full time, profitable business with three units I rent out.
If you're a host, don't lie about your property, keep it clean, and cancel only when absolutely necessary. If you're a guest, have reasonable expectations and carefully read the description to make sure it's right for you. Both should vet the other and have a conversation prior to booking the space to make sure no one is strange/weird or a bad fit.
11 years ago
Julia Mehrer Tucson, AZ
Awesome stay for 2 nights in Vancouver! Apartment just as described with the plus of a roof garden to sip wine in under an arbor! My first experience. I look forward to the second in September!
11 years ago
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Kristi Bingham Lehi, UT
I love Airbnb! My spouse and I almost always book our vacations through Airbnb because it’s cheaper and closer to attractions and businesses than most hotels. I’ve never had a bad experience with a home or home owner. The one issue I have is when looking at homes I obviously have a budget, but when I put into the filter for a cheaper home, it doesn’t include all of the ridiculous fees! Some have more or less. I wish the fees were flat rate so the prices I first see are actually similar to what I will be paying.
5 years ago
Pauline Causse Provo, UT
Really easy app to use that makes it easy to find a lot of different rentals anywhere you want. I also really like that you can see reviews on the hosts. It makes me feel better about renting a place when I know it's not a scam, and that the owner is somewhat nice
5 years ago
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Jade Knowles Tallahassee, FL
I having being Airbnb for a couple years now and I love it! This app makes it so easy to find great vacations homes for a great price. I have used Airbnb for my trips to Orlando, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. The hosts that work through Airbnb have been nothing but generous and very understanding.
5 years ago
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Taylor Hall Los Angeles, CA
I have always loved using Airbnb! I always stay in places that give me wonderful new experiences! I love that it’s run by real people. Everywhere that I’ve stayed has been clean and impressive! You can stay in the most homey location or one a bit more adventurous! My husband and I used it for our honeymoon and were not disappointed!
5 years ago
