AirBnB - educate me, experience, tips

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Batman

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Topic # 204970 25-Oct-2016 11:20

Hi I'm almost giving up finding accommodation in Singapore for family of 5. The max that you can ever get in an accommodation close to an MRT station is 4. Even that's rare. 3 is the max for most. No motels, no motorcamps etc.

So I'm looking at AirBNB. Options aplenty!!!

What I don't want is to show up and have to sleep on the streets.

Any tips?

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

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Reply # 1657328 25-Oct-2016 11:27

My only airbnb usage has been in Singapore but only for 1. Everywhere is small, as space is at a premium so be warned.

Slightly OT, I stayed 8 minutes from an MTR station and I still got rather warm but not a big problem as aircon is everywhere. Taxis are a viable option for a group but not sure about 5. Most are 4 person max so you may need to work out who has 5 person taxis or get two. They pretty cheap too despite the high costs of car ownership in the country.

Batman

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Reply # 1657332 25-Oct-2016 11:31

Most taxis will decline to take 5. Hence MRT is essential :) Found a few good ones on AirBNB

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trig42

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Reply # 1657360 25-Oct-2016 11:54

Check their feedback. I haven't heard any horror stories from people I know that have used AirBnB. Don't know anyone that has used in Singapore however.

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Reply # 1657407 25-Oct-2016 12:44

I don't suppose travel insurance covers airbnb bookings?

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engedib

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Reply # 1657420 25-Oct-2016 13:01

joker97: I don't suppose travel insurance covers airbnb bookings?

I also went through the same a few months ago, and we ended up staying in Johor Bahru (JB). The airport transfer was around $80 (family of 4 with loads of luggage in a van) and the price for accomodation, food was a 1/3 or 1/4th compared to Singapore.

We got a nice 2 bedroom apartment in JB for around NZ$400 for a whole week through AirBnB.

Also in JB you can get Uber rides for cheap as chips, and Legoland is also closer. We only ended up going to Singapore one day compared to the 2-3 we planned because there were so much stuff to do around JB.

Cheers,

qwertee

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Reply # 1657421 25-Oct-2016 13:01

Have used AirBnB in London for 4 nights. No problems.

Please read reviews, the more the better as it gives you a 'feel' for the place before you book.

Look at all photos as often they are taken in the best 'light'. If a reviewer says that the photos

are accurate, then its big plus.

If the host has a 'superhost' badge or medal, it increases your confidence.

Check in time is mostly around 3pm, unless the host agrees to let you in earlier.

Ask if you could leave the luggage before the usual checkin times if you are arriving early.

Your credit card gets charged when you book but the payment

is made to the host when you check-in. There is always a cleaning fee, and also check the cancellation policy, as some hosts do have quite strict policies.

Good luck.

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Reply # 1657575 25-Oct-2016 17:15

qwertee:

Have used AirBnB in London for 4 nights. No problems.

Please read reviews, the more the better as it gives you a 'feel' for the place before you book.

Look at all photos as often they are taken in the best 'light'. If a reviewer says that the photos

are accurate, then its big plus.

If the host has a 'superhost' badge or medal, it increases your confidence.

Check in time is mostly around 3pm, unless the host agrees to let you in earlier.

Ask if you could leave the luggage before the usual checkin times if you are arriving early.

Your credit card gets charged when you book but the payment

is made to the host when you check-in. There is always a cleaning fee, and also check the cancellation policy, as some hosts do have quite strict policies.

Good luck.

Thank you that is a good starting point.

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

Batman

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Reply # 1657576 25-Oct-2016 17:15

Does anyone know the commission/cut that airbnb takes?

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jarledb

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Reply # 1657619 25-Oct-2016 18:29

If you want to save $45 NZD on the booking (and never used AirBNB before), you can use this link when booking: www.airbnb.no/c/jbergersen (will give me the same discount next time I book).

AirBNB is pretty open about their fees. They charge the host 3% and they also charge the guest a booking fee (you will see how much when you book).

We always try to book with AirBNB when we travel, have not had one single stay were we have felt that we would have been better off at a hotel. When you book a full apartment/house through AirBNB (and check the feedback) I don't think you will have any big surprises.

If you are staying in a bedroom (like we do most of the time) with the hosts, it can be a bit hit and miss if they are people you get along with tremendously. We have had experiences ranging from feeling like we were staying with friends, to not feeling all that welcome. But nothing that has scared us off using AirBNB next time we are traveling. When you book a full apartment/house thats not really an issue.

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kendog

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Reply # 1658495 26-Oct-2016 19:43

We recently stayed in 11 different Airbnb appartments around Europe.
My advice, use superhosts, read all the reviews, contact the host before booking, be nice when contacting the host, book in advance so you have more options to pick from, confirm a week or two before arriving.

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Reply # 1658508 26-Oct-2016 20:09

Adding to what has already been said - ask the host about the neighbourhood. This will give you a feel for the person and will also help inform your decision. Also, use Google maps to take a look around the neighbourhood. A bit of research helps prevent surprises (we ended up in the middle of a red light district with one place, so I research carefully now).

Also, on arrival at the place, turn on taps and check that plumbing & electrical work, and that everything you expected to have there is actually there. Do this with the host present so you can sort out any issues right away. If the host is not present, document any issues (notes, plus photos).

Last tip: be very, very careful if you go to cities where accommodation is very hard to get. Vancouver is a prime example. People are renting on AirBnB instead of putting places out for monthly tenants but they are renting places that cannot legally be used for short-term tenants. It's tough to book then find the body corporate has changed the locks and your gear is locked inside with the host not being allowed access to recover your stuff. If in doubt, ask the host if his building allows AirBnB rentals. If the reply is "don't tell anyone in the building" or "say you are my cousin" then find somewhere else 😉

kendog

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Reply # 1659215 27-Oct-2016 18:00

Elpie:
Last tip: be very, very careful if you go to cities where accommodation is very hard to get. Vancouver is a prime example. People are renting on AirBnB instead of putting places out for monthly tenants but they are renting places that cannot legally be used for short-term tenants. It's tough to book then find the body corporate has changed the locks and your gear is locked inside with the host not being allowed access to recover your stuff. If in doubt, ask the host if his building allows AirBnB rentals. If the reply is "don't tell anyone in the building" or "say you are my cousin" then find somewhere else 😉

This is very good advice. When we stayed in Berlin we were struggling to contact the host, then he told us not to talk to neighbours, or if we had to say we were friends of his parents. It all seemed very suspect, so I did some research and found out Berlin had made it close to ilegal to rent via Airbnb. We were very relieved once our stay was finished and we had not had any major problems.

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Reply # 1659253 27-Oct-2016 19:49

Ok guys see how I go ... all tips noted ...

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shk292

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Reply # 1659261 27-Oct-2016 20:32

We rented an apartment in Singapore last year through AirBnB. It was a nice enough place, but a bid odd in that there was washing out to dry on the balcony and some food in the fridge, also some things (eg one aircon unit) didn't work properly. This apt was obviously not allowed to be used in this way, because the letter insisted on meeting us elsewhere in our hire car and then we were told to say we were his friends.

Having said all that, it was a lot cheaper than any hotel of decent quality for a family of 4, and had a very nice pool. There seemed to be a good variety of places to choose from in Singapore

We also got an apt in Paris, this was very nice and good value, and the host was excellent.

I'd echo the advice above - feedback is king!

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Reply # 1659262 27-Oct-2016 20:45

Hmm ... I wonder why not allowed to be used as airBnb - what could be the reasons?

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