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If you still want/need to use AirBnB for cheaper travel, renting a room instead of a whole apartment is actually better. Then the host is an actual host and the reviews are more meaningful. I’ve gotten to know some pretty cool people that way. It’s a trade-off of course, as the set of potential issues is different.

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But won't you get a room in an apartment shared with other guests then?

Where do you think the savings come from?

If you aren't willing to accept some kind of reduction from hotel accommodations, you aren't willing to save money.

It's one thing renting a room in the host's own living apartment (like the old couchsurfing) and another renting a room in a shared rented-out apartment. The latter one might be plagued way more by the mentioned fake reviews.

This - I wish they had categories for "host lives here too" and "this is a boarding house." You can usually figure it out by scrutinizing the reviews, but I'd like to see it overtly stated.

Ahhh, I see your point. I misunderstood you.

Thanks for explaining!

I’ve never had this happen, it was always at host’s place. Granted, that was some years ago, maybe things have changed!

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