Airbnb is one of the most popular accommodation apps in the world. However, the structure of Airbnb is such that the number of complaints is higher than for other types of accommodation. This is why users need to be careful.
This is because of Airbnb’s unique operating structure. Firstly, most Airbnb hosts are not professional hosts. Many people rent out their whole house or a room in their own home.
There are, of course, cases where an entire apartment is rented out and a professional accommodation business is run.
In any case, many problems inevitably arise from this unprofessional type of accommodation, and users need to be careful.
Check what floor the room is on and whether there is an elevator.
This is the easiest case to come across when first using it.
It varies by region of the world, but in some regions (especially East Asia), almost all buildings have lifts, so many people naturally assume that all buildings have lifts, even in areas with different cultures, and only book accommodation on the 5th and 6th floors.
However, in some regions (typically Europe), it is very common for buildings to have no lifts on the 4th or 5th floor, and in extreme cases, even 7-8-story buildings often do not have lifts.
Climbing the stairs to the 7th floor with a suitcase weighing more than 10kg is not a good sight.
Especially if you are going to stay on the 7th or 8th floor, you must ask for the floor number of the room and whether there is a lift, as hosts often deliberately hide the floor number.
Are you living with the owner?
In fact, this is quite common when using Airbnb. So if you don’t like it, don’t use Airbnb. Because Airbnb is basically a hosting app designed for interaction between local hosts and travelers, there are many cases where people live together in the host’s home and have only one room to themselves.
Of course, it doesn’t matter if you like interacting with local hosts, but if that makes you uncomfortable, it’s better not to use Airbnb at all.
You will need to check if you share a bathroom.
This is an easy part to overlook, but you need to check that you are not sharing the bathroom with anyone else. There are many beginners who make reservations on Airbnb by only confirming that it is a single room and thinking that the bathroom is, of course, private. However, there are many cases where you only have one room and a shared bathroom. This can be a serious problem for people who value hygiene or privacy, and hosts often do not provide proper explanations, so be sure to check beforehand.
Location
Do not believe the host’s claim that the accommodation is close to a tourist attraction or that the host can get from the accommodation to the attraction in a few minutes. There are more cases than you might think of accommodation that claims to be within minutes of tourist attractions by car rather than by public transport or on foot. Be sure to check the location of your accommodation on Google Maps to see how long it takes to walk or take public transport to major tourist attractions.
A new host is a gamble.
Sometimes you will see a new host with almost no reviews. Usually, these hosts offer their accommodations for a very low price, but it is still a gamble. A new host with no reviews is probably inexperienced. Also, it is almost impossible to confirm whether the host’s personality is good or bad and the quality of the accommodation. Let’s judge for ourselves.
If possible, use it as a superhost.
A superhost is an Airbnb host who has been recognized by the company for their long-term experience, good ratings, and accident-free record. In popular tourist destinations, there are many superhosts available. There is no reason to choose someone other than a superhost.
A big, unexpected problem with Airbnb is the check-in process.
When using Airbnb, several issues may arise during the check-in process. As Airbnb involves staying in the host’s home, access to the accommodation is only possible when the host is present or nearby. Therefore, it is necessary to coordinate the check-in time with the host in advance. If the guest arrives earlier than the agreed time, they may have to wait outside until the host arrives. Similarly, if the host is delayed or unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, you have to wait outside. Some professional Airbnb hosts prepare self-check-in by providing instructions on key retrieval.Nonetheless, the check-in process at Airbnb can be more exhausting than that of traditional hotels and hostels.
Be sure to check the air conditioning and heating facilities
Air conditioning and heating are commonly found in lodging establishments and homes worldwide.
However, some low-level accommodations, as well as ordinary homes, do not have air conditioning or heating in certain areas. It is important to ensure that proper air conditioning and heating facilities are available, especially when travelling during the summer or winter.
Be sure to check before booking. In some cases, the host may claim to have an air conditioner, but in reality, only a fan is available. Therefore, it is important to verify the presence of an actual air conditioner.
If you are a female traveler, consider using a female host.
The intent of Airbnb is for guests to stay at the host’s home. In other words, the host has unrestricted access to the traveler’s room. Of course, there are no difficulties in the majority of situations, but there have been instances where superhosts commit sexual crimes against visitors. This is easily discovered on Google News. If you’re concerned, this is absolutely something to think about.
Let’s also check the host’s trip history.
When you visit an Airbnb host’s page, you may see not just reviews from guests who stayed at the host’s home but also reviews about the host’s use of Airbnb. You can carefully glimpse the host’s actual personality. In some circumstances, checking is a smart idea. It is important to note if the host’s review of another Airbnb in the neighborhood indicates that the host has a nasty personality.
Be aware of hosts who urge you to pay directly.
When you make a reservation, some hosts may offer a discount if you pay for the room directly via paypal rather than through the Airbnb app. Of course, it would be ideal if you received the discount and had no problems during your stay, but if you do not book through Airbnb, no one will be held responsible if any problems emerge.
The risks are significant, so make your own decision.