Our Italian Adventure: Rethinking AirBnBs

PART 120: It might be interesting to share how we pulled off living in Italy for part of the year. I will post some steps and what we are learning along the way.

We love every minute of it, and what was once a dream is our life!

We live in Tuscany in the Fall, then back again in the Spring, and in California for the rest of the time (in a previous blog, I explained why we live in Italy only part of the year).

Step 1: As we explore areas in Italy, we are discovering some gems worth sharing. Some are well-known tourist magnets, and others are lesser-known but always amazing.

This week, let's explore our experience with Airbnb versus hotels while traveling in Europe.

Step 2: When Airbnb first gained popularity, our experiences were all positive. We loved the convenience of having a kitchen and washing machine while traveling across Europe. However, as Airbnb became more widespread and dominated the short-term rental market, our experiences started to vary significantly. Now, we find ourselves preferringing to stay in hotels rather than personal rentals.

What caused this change?

Step 3: Recently: the hits.

Last year, we flew to Budapest and stayed in a fantastic Airbnb directly across from the Hungarian Parliament building. The view was incredible, and the apartment was very comfortable. Although we couldn't get the TV to work, that was fine since we spent most of our time exploring the city. We would definitely stay there again.

We also spent a few days in Assisi and discovered an Airbnb high above the streets, offering stunning views. The apartment featured a full kitchen, large windows, and a cozy living room. The price was reasonable, and we consider it a great find.

Step 4: Recently: the misses.

I had planned to stay in Rome for a week in September but had looked for a place a month before my trip. I had few choices since September is a busy month for the city. I knew I wanted to be close to Piazza Navona, so I found a small Airbnb that seemed to suit my needs. The reviews mentioned that it was small but included all the necessary amenities.

For me, it was the Airbnb from hell. When I walked in, the clever lighting made the place look nice. However, it was summer, and I soon realized the air conditioning didn't work. When I messaged the owner, he told me to open the window (there was only one window, which was in the door). Once I did that, the place quickly filled with mosquitoes. I was left with the choice of either sweltering in the heat or being bitten by mosquitoes. Another issue was that if I had the window open, anyone could walk up to my door, look inside, and see me on the bed. The "bed" was problematic, too; it was an old futon with a stuffed mattress that felt like a rock.

After the first night of not sleeping (between the hard bed and the mosquitoes), I called Airbnb. They said they would contact the manager to repair the air conditioner, but he never did. I called them again and again, and they basically told me to wait while they insisted he make the repairs. Finally, I took matters into my own hands, found a lodging run by a monastery, and transferred there.

Apparently upset by my complaints to Airbnb, the owner left me a nasty review.

More recently, we took a road trip to France and booked an Airbnb in Lourdes. The reviews were positive, and the photos depicted a sleek, modern apartment with a new kitchen and bathroom.

However, we found a very dark apartment in a shabby area of the city. The parking was in a catacomb-like structure below the building. When I reached to place some food on top of the fridge, I was alarmed to find it covered with dust. There was mold in the shower, and the bed was so close to the floor that it was a strain to get into. It was also smaller than we had imagined, making it difficult for two people to sleep comfortably. To make matters worse, the bathroom smelled of sulfur or sewage. The advertised central heating wasn't working; the owner told us it wouldn't be available for another two weeks. The apartment was cold.

Though we learned that the heating schedule depended on the French government and not on the owner, our issue was that central heating was advertised on the listing on the Airbnb website, but we were not told that there was no heating until we walked in. We felt that heating not being available during certain months should be stated beforehand.

My partner found another Airbnb, and we transferred there. It was clean and modern, but when we tried to turn on the heat (since the place was still cold), we received a nasty message from the manager. She warned us that they would take action against us if we turned on the heater before the scheduled date in late October. So, we endured the chill in the house but decided not to return.

In our area in Italy, we booked another Airbnb (Monte Amiata in Tuscany) for a few nights upon arriving because our house wasn't ready yet, and we needed a place to stay. Once again, the apartment looked great on the Airbnb website, but we found a cold house with only a wood-burning fireplace in the front room for heat. To light the fire, we found a small plastic cigarette lighter sitting on top of it. The bedroom and bathroom had no heating, and two broken coffee makers were on the kitchen counter.

We were too tired to deal with it, so we bundled up, fell asleep, and left the following day.

Step 5: Why the misses?

Why are there so many hits and misses with Airbnb these days? Based on my experience, there are several reasons for this:

1. The market is oversaturated with Airbnbs, which can lead to lower overall quality.

2. Airbnb photos can be misleading, often highlighting angles that make the accommodation look better than it actually is.

3. Many listings lack exterior photos. Have you noticed that few Airbnbs include pictures of the outside of the building or the surrounding neighborhood? Have you ever wondered why?

4. Some owners take pride in their rentals, while others are primarily focused on profit. This can result in a lack of attention to important details like cleaning, providing snacks or coffee for late arrivals, and upgrading furniture or amenities.

Step 6: The problem with reviews.

After we checked into one of the Airbnbs mentioned earlier, my partner asked, "How did this place accumulate so many positive reviews?"

We used to try to avoid bad Airbnbs by carefully reading all the reviews, but we've found that, more often than not, the reviews fail to identify the problematic listings. Why is that?

Based on my experience, I prefer not to leave negative reviews for someone's Airbnb, even if there are flaws. If the owner has been friendly and helpful, I feel reluctant to criticize them publicly since it's their personal business, and I don't want to harm it. After a trip, I also prefer not to dwell on any negative aspects of the experience. Also, leaving a negative review could jeopardize my chances of securing a good Airbnb in the future, as hosts can read the reviews on the platform.

Why do people leave positive reviews for places that should raise red flags? I can only speculate that travelers have different priorities. Some may be simply grateful for a bed in a great city center, a grocery store nearby, or the proximity to tourist attractions, especially compared to hotel prices. Others might focus on the helpfulness of the owner, emphasizing the positives and neglecting to mention the negatives.

As a result, we often find that reviews on Airbnb overlook significant issues with a property. When unsuspecting travelers arrive, they may share our thoughts: why didn't anyone warn us about this?

Step 7: Where from here?

We just returned from Nice yesterday. My sister and her companions rented an Airbnb while we found a hotel by the port. Shortly after she arrived, she messaged me: "There are problems with our Airbnb. We are going to try to get into your hotel."

Since our hotel was fully booked, they were stuck. On the other hand, our hotel had sea views, a great breakfast, was near the promenade, and was reasonably priced. I had researched the reviews and found them all to be positive.

The lesson learned: Renting an Airbnb is increasingly like rolling the dice, even after reading the reviews. Hotel reviews are more honest and provide more detailed information, enabling one to make a more educated decision about where to stay.

After investing so much time and effort in planning a trip, I don't want to jeopardize the entire vacation because of an Airbnb that doesn't meet expectations.

Step 8: Your experiences with AirBnB?

We invite you to share your recent AirBnB experiences in the comments section. Do your experiences align with ours, or are they different?

More next time.

My new novel is on sale now for $2.99! "Onward: A Life on a Sailboat" is a tale that will draw the reader to the Amalfi coast, the deserts of Algeria, the south of France, and beyond. https://a.co/d/3hhJkxE

Amazon Italy- my book "Lei mi ha sedotto. Una storia d'amore con Roma": https://amzn.eu/d/13nuZCL.