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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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
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
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
Review Source
Eric Wilkinson Herriman, UT
We used Airbnb to find a home in the same area as our family vacation. It was great because there was a house available 1 street over so we could walk back and forth between homes. The only downside was the Airbnb fee's were steep.
6 years ago
Mason Allen Provo, UT
Can be a source to find a fun vacation destination, but fees pile up way too much. Refund policy usually favors the host, unfortunately. Service fees only return as site credit. Usually not the cheapest option.
5 years ago
