Comment by Anonymous9823 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by Anonymous9823 | Hacker News Reader

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I've used AirBnb around the world (entire apartment, not shared), so let's look at the advantages you mentioned...

1. You typically get more space than a hotel, and a kitchen. Currently I'm living in an entire 2 story house in a city center that I rented off AirBnb. It was a third of the cost of a cheap hotel room for a short term stay. Remember, you can negotiate prices on AirBnb, I've never paid full price, and typically get 20 - 70% off depending on the length of stay.

2. Personal touch. A lot of the places I've rented were in a family owned home, with separate apartments. On a number of occasions the host has taken time to pick me up and drop me off at the train station, for free. They've also taken time to go out for drinks, or just to walk around their city for an hour or two. When you're traveling to a new city, having a local family that's lived in that location for the past 20 years show you around, is a unique experience, and one you don't get with hotels. I've also had hosts leave me gifts, souvenirs, free wine in the fridge, plates of food on the counter, etc.

3. You feel like a local. Hotel rooms are extremely generic, and you feel disconnected from the city. Staying in an apartment or home, you get a better experience for the culture.

4. Free internet, not nearly as common in hotels.

Anyway, most of his concerns can be avoided by reading the reviews for the host. Also, send the host a few messages back and forth to see how reliable they are, and how quickly they respond. I've spent half the year living in all sorts of AirBnb apartments, and don't plan to consider hotels again anytime soon.

I would generally agree with you, but your thinking is along the lines of "cheaper", in every point.

Cheaper sometimes gets more expensive and then you change the opinion. The author mentions he was a heavy AirBnb user, just as you are. It's interesting to read about the causes that make one's perspective change.

I mentioned prices because that's just icing on the cake. Leave them out if you want.

1. I get more space, currently 2 bedrooms, a living room, and full kitchen, compared to a hotel that would offer a single room with just a bed.

2. Better experience in regards to culture. I feel like I'm in a home, that's decorated with local tastes, and not the same abstract painting behind the bed, and long counter with flat screen TV in nearly every single hotel room.

3. Get to meet people. Half of my stays, I end up going out for coffee or drinks with the host.

Price isn't my main concern, and if prices were equal, I'd still go for AirBnb. The reasons above are why that's my opinion.

Now, advantages of a hotel, because let's be honest, there are going to be some.

1. More reliable. I haven't had an issue in any of my stays, but you're more likely to be waiting to meet a host, then waiting at the check-in of a hotel. I've read AirBnb reviews where the person arrived, and host relocated them to a different apartment because the one they selected wasn't ready. You don't have to worry about hotels randomly changing addresses last minute.

2. Hotel rooms are basically sterile, and you know they're going to be extremely clean, sheets will obviously be fresh, etc. AirBnb, you're relying on the host. Homes and apartments typically have little quirks. Maybe a door doesn't close all the way, maybe a light is burnt out over the stove, etc. At one place, I found a container of half eaten sour cream sitting in the bathroom when I arrived. Obviously whoever cleaned the apartment just overlooked it somehow, so I tossed it in the trash and went on with my life. I know some people would freak out over these little details, and for them, a hotel room is preferred. I accept them, because I imagine myself as a guest in someone's home.

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