May 4, 2016 at 8:21 am
The wife and I are looking at getting out of town in a couple weeks, possibly, and to save a couple bucks (OK, possibly a lot of bucks) on lodging, we started looking at AirBnB...
So, anyone who has experience with AirBnB, how was it?
I'd presume a lot would depend on the host you stay at / with, and I've read some of the horror stories of people who've used it to rent out their places (Yeah, finding that your guest was going to be hosting an orgy at your place? Kinda not a good experience...)
Thus far, in a quick search on the AirBnB site, it looks like we might be able to find a place for half what we're looking at in hotel, in the same area (as in within walking distance of the hotel we're looking at.)
Thanks all!
Jason
May 4, 2016 at 8:31 am
I had a good experience using AirBnB when I had to look a place before finding an apartment.
My mom rents a bedroom and she recently traveled through Europe using AirBnB.
I would certainly recommend it, but you should follow the reviews to know what to expect.
If it helps, here's a link for $20 credit. http://www.airbnb.com/c/lcazares9?s=8
May 4, 2016 at 8:36 am
Luis Cazares (5/4/2016)
I had a good experience using AirBnB when I had to look a place before finding an apartment.My mom rents a bedroom and she recently traveled through Europe using AirBnB.
I would certainly recommend it, but you should follow the reviews to know what to expect.
If it helps, here's a link for $20 credit. www.airbnb.com/c/lcazares9?s=8
Cool Luis, thanks!
May 4, 2016 at 8:39 am
Unfortunately, I don't have experience with AirBnB, although I'd be curious to hear more. My wife and I have a vacation planned up in Québec this summer, but I wanted to (1) save money, and (2) experience local culture, so I stayed away from large hotels and looked into B&B's and inns.
After doing some extensive homework, I booked a couple of B&B's in Montréal and Québec City that were reasonably priced and looked like they were in great locations. I am now very excited about my summer vacation!
Side note: I also considered hostels. I found a couple that actually looked very promising (there was one in Montréal that I almost booked), but we decided to spend a little extra for the B&B route.
Edit: Sorry, our Québec City lodging is actually an inn/small hotel, not a B&B, but it looks very quaint and charming! Can't wait for my vay-cay!
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May 4, 2016 at 8:45 am
I forgot to include the http in the link address, I've corrected it now.
May 4, 2016 at 9:12 am
I've used it a few times and, on the whole, it's been a great experience, particularly if you're renting a room in someone's house. Most folks who advertise on there are the sort of friendly, outgoing types who are interesting to meet and, as long as your respectful of their home, they leave you to your own devices when that's what you want. Overall I've found it way more fun and interesting than staying in hotels.
I have had one bad experience though. We were rented a damp room with a sprung bed and broken shower by a miserable landlady who, and I kid you not, banned us from laughing after 6 o'clock.
I'd say go for it but check the reviews first.
May 4, 2016 at 9:23 am
I've had quite a few friends use it to get around Europe and not heard any horror stories. I'd definitely give it a go if I found it cut the costs on a budget trip.
As mentioned above, hostels can be another good route, some do really good private rooms and feel like any other budget hotel. If you can cope with the other people using hostels... 😀
May 4, 2016 at 10:00 am
Personally, I would never pimp out my own home to strangers while I'm away. It seems creepy. Also, inviting complete stangers to stay overnight in the guest bedroom in exchange for a couple hundred dollars (or less) doesn't sound appealing either. There are too many idiots out there, and I'm choosy about whom I share my personal space with. It would take a special type of person to do that.
However, the concept of AirBnB is interesting for other reasons. It can be perfect for folks who flip houses. You could buy a foreclosure property on the cheap when the housing market it down, invest some money to fix it up, and then rent out the property piecemeal on AirBnB until the housing market recovers and you line up a buyer. It would probably generate more revenue than leasing long term and not having tenants would make selling the property less problematic.
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
May 5, 2016 at 5:22 am
So last night I set up an AirBnB account to get a better feel for what's available where we're looking at going.
Amusingly, one of the hosts is quite literally next door to one of our fun spots, as in the picture out the window was looking at the front of the fun spot!
Now we just need to get our refi on our home completed with our credit union so we can see if the budget will carry this trip, or if we're going to be on a "staycation" that weekend...
Again, thanks all!
May 5, 2016 at 10:19 am
jasona.work (5/5/2016)
Now we just need to get our refi on our home completed with our credit union so we can see if the budget will carry this trip, or if we're going to be on a "staycation" that weekend...
Hey, worst case, if $$$ is an issue (I know it always is with me), there's nothing wrong with a staycation! I've found that sometimes, some of the best things to experience are right in my own backyard!
Also, I'm a big fan of The Frugal Traveler. I can't say I've ever tried anything that's posted, but the experiences are fun to read, nevertheless!
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May 5, 2016 at 11:16 am
Ray K (5/5/2016)
jasona.work (5/5/2016)
Now we just need to get our refi on our home completed with our credit union so we can see if the budget will carry this trip, or if we're going to be on a "staycation" that weekend...Hey, worst case, if $$$ is an issue (I know it always is with me), there's nothing wrong with a staycation! I've found that sometimes, some of the best things to experience are right in my own backyard!
Also, I'm a big fan of The Frugal Traveler. I can't say I've ever tried anything that's posted, but the experiences are fun to read, nevertheless!
True to staycations not being bad, although sometimes you just need to get away, even for a weekend...
May 5, 2016 at 11:36 am
jasona.work (5/5/2016)
Ray K (5/5/2016)
jasona.work (5/5/2016)
Now we just need to get our refi on our home completed with our credit union so we can see if the budget will carry this trip, or if we're going to be on a "staycation" that weekend...Hey, worst case, if $$$ is an issue (I know it always is with me), there's nothing wrong with a staycation! I've found that sometimes, some of the best things to experience are right in my own backyard!
Also, I'm a big fan of The Frugal Traveler. I can't say I've ever tried anything that's posted, but the experiences are fun to read, nevertheless!
True to staycations not being bad, although sometimes you just need to get away, even for a weekend...
I'll admit I'm not above slumming it on occasion to save money. Regardless of where you are in the US, you can always find a Motel 6 advertising $40 rooms, that is if all you're looking for is a place to shower and crash at the end of the day. If it's just you alone or with kids, then it will get you by. However, if you're married, then your spouse may (probably) reject that option. :unsure:
"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho
May 5, 2016 at 1:07 pm
Eric M Russell (5/5/2016)
jasona.work (5/5/2016)
Ray K (5/5/2016)
jasona.work (5/5/2016)
Now we just need to get our refi on our home completed with our credit union so we can see if the budget will carry this trip, or if we're going to be on a "staycation" that weekend...Hey, worst case, if $$$ is an issue (I know it always is with me), there's nothing wrong with a staycation! I've found that sometimes, some of the best things to experience are right in my own backyard!
Also, I'm a big fan of The Frugal Traveler. I can't say I've ever tried anything that's posted, but the experiences are fun to read, nevertheless!
True to staycations not being bad, although sometimes you just need to get away, even for a weekend...
I'll admit I'm not above slumming it on occasion to save money. Regardless of where you are in the US, you can always find a Motel 6 advertising $40 rooms, that is if all you're looking for is a place to shower and crash at the end of the day. If it's just you alone or with kids, then it will get you by. However, if you're married, then your spouse may (probably) reject that option. :unsure:
Nah, the spouse would go for it, we typically don't stay in "fancy" hotels when we go places.
But, for where we're looking to go next month, we'd rather stay downtown (which costs more) so we can just leave the car parked and walk or take public transit to the majority of where we'd want to go.
May 5, 2016 at 2:07 pm
Eric M Russell (5/5/2016)
if you're married, then your spouse may (probably) reject that option. :unsure:
Tell me about it. Case in point: there have been a number of times where I've come across a good-looking place, with the one drawback being a shared bathroom. Trouble is, my wife insists on a private bathroom.
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May 5, 2016 at 2:14 pm
jasona.work (5/5/2016)
But, for where we're looking to go next month, we'd rather stay downtown (which costs more) so we can just leave the car parked and walk or take public transit to the majority of where we'd want to go.
This frequently works into my planning as well. One of my guidelines is, "how easy is it to get to where I want to be from where I'm staying?" Usually, I'll either look for something within walking distance, something with easy transportation nearby, or make sure there is easy (key word!) parking nearby.
Last year, my wife and I did a weekend getaway in NYC. Rather than staying in Manhattan, we got a B&B on Staten Island (half the cost of a Manhattan hotel) which was right in front of a bus stop that took us to the Staten Island Ferry. Likewise, the Montréal B&B I got for my upcoming vacation is only a stone's throw from a Metro station.
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