> For larger groups and families I have used other services where I can communicate directly with the owner
Which are those services and how do they differ from Airbnb?
Which are those services and how do they differ from Airbnb?
In general, we’ve found VRBO cheaper than Airbnb. In fact we only used them for the first time this year because we went to another country and Airbnb seemed like the best option. Airbnb’s chat interface seemed better than anything VRBO offers, but other than that the experience wasn’t significantly different.
We’ve only had one issue that I can recall. An owner ghosted us on our way to San Francisco and we had to scramble to find a place on our way there (we had a few days as we visited Sequoia and Yosemite). Not having the place we expected in the city meant we had to drive into town to do touristy things when we expected to have our car in a secure garage. Of course our car then got broken into, which is exactly why we wanted a place with secure parking in walking distance to the touristy stuff.
One host asked us to let us know when we would arrive. I didn't respond as it wasn't any of their business and after check in.