Airbnb gets a bad rap. In the media, you hear about the catastrophes such as partiers who trash their space, Airbnb taking rental space away from local residents or Airbnb not giving refunds. I'm here to tell you that in ten years of staying in Airbnb properties on my travels those are not my experiences. Not only has Airbnb given me friendships and experiences I treasure but it has also enabled me financially to travel long term. I do prefer staying in a private room in the owners' home rather than renting an entire apartment however there are some instances where it is more convenient. As a renter myself I am sensitive to the need for affordable housing for local residents which is why I prefer not to rent an entire place for myself.
Wherever I go it's a flipping disaster and I'm okay with that.
Tip for people who don't want to wait in line at the Eiffel tower: go to the Montparnasse Tower. This way you get to have the Eiffel Tower in your pictures plus it is slightly cheaper. You can visit the nearby very interesting Montparnasse Cemetery as well.
Here's Miss Sadie cuddled up on the futon in my room. Desperately in need of a haircut but adorable just the same.
And then I went to Manchester and pulled a pint at the rovers.
Okay you can't see the hoop in this picture but it was there. It was actually his daughter's room and he was renting it out to help fund a trip to Uruguay for he and his ten year old daughter. Even though all of Ezequiel's family is now in Barcelona he wanted to show her his home country. I was the last paying guest in the room. Another lock problem. I noticed THREE locks on the apartment door that first night and thought oh boy maybe I had better lock one of them. Well I put the chain across. I decided I had better try opening it just to make sure I could and I couldn't get it open. Luckily we had been communicating by What's App (audio) and I called him as I just could not get it to open. After me sending pictures and him explaining over (and over) I finally found the tiny button you had to press in. Ezequiel was so patient with me and I felt like a fool. Another unique Airbnb experience that was stressful at the time but it was resolved and now I laugh about it. I did get to meet Ezequiel my last evening there. In the meantime, there were other guests staying in his room who were a bit noisy but earplugs work.
Perhaps I walked in Jane Austen's footsteps!
So let's go back into the mists of time and I will share my favourite Airbnb stays in the order I stayed in them. I won't be leaving links however if you are interested in a particular one message me and I will shoot you the link.
An apartment in Paris - December 2011/January 2012
My very first Airbnb was in Paris where I rented a room in the Montmartre area of Paris. It was actually the owner's bedroom. As she was in India she had a pet sitter for her little poodle Sadie. He was the one who gave me the keys and had great patience with me as I just couldn't "get" the lock system. I probably would be able to handle it now but it was two different locks that went different ways and I kept turning them the wrong way!! I ended up getting one of the building residents to let me when I got back that first day. In the end I used his much less complicated entrance and he used mine which was fine as long as no one was using the bathroom as that was the connection to my room! The idea of a Paris apartment is so romantic isn't it? The reality is hearing what sounded like elephants bowling above you! Those beautiful wooden floors aren't soundproof! Buy hey, I was in Paris! Oh yes then I had to knock on another resident's door as I couldn't get out the front door of the building - turns out there was a big button on the wall that you punched to unlock the front door of the building. Now I know! I was left coffee, cereal, fruit and milk for breakfast but who wants that when you are in Paris with the wonderful boulangeries. Not me!!! I loved the feeling of walking in and out of that apartment building and feeling like a resident even though it was blatantly obvious I didn't belong with my pathetic high school French and my unfashionable clothing. I bonded with little Sadie and we spent New Year's Eve together while her petsitter went out partying. That Paris apartment was far from perfect but I am so glad I experienced it.
Wherever I go it's a flipping disaster and I'm okay with that.
Tip for people who don't want to wait in line at the Eiffel tower: go to the Montparnasse Tower. This way you get to have the Eiffel Tower in your pictures plus it is slightly cheaper. You can visit the nearby very interesting Montparnasse Cemetery as well.
Crashing on a couch in Indianapolis - October 2012
Yes I've even stayed on a convertible sofa in someone's living room. Chris and Carolina were my lovely hosts when I visited Indianapolis. I was on a six-week Greyhound trip around the United States and I missed my bus from Kentucky (let's not go there..) so I lost one night there. Why Indianapolis? I was on a quest to walk all of the fifty American states and state capitals. I say "was" as not sure I will finish it now...we shall see. Carolina served a breakfast of cereal and toast before I set off for an 11 km walk in downtown Indianapolis which I really enjoyed. Indy is a great city.
Upon my arrival back at the house late that afternoon I asked what food Indianapolis was famous for as I always like to try the local specialty. Turns out it's a pork tenderloin sandwich. They said I had to go to Edwards Drive In (I googled it and sadly it closed earlier this year thanks to that horrid five letter word beginning with c) and realizing I had no car they drove me. I treated them of course and they were so thrilled they mentioned that in my review. We had a nice evening chatting before turning in and then it was back onto the 'hound" the next morning.
It doesn't look too appetizing but it was good.
A shot gun house in New Orleans - February 2014
My friend June and I went to New Orleans to walk a half marathon and stayed in a traditional shotgun house. What is a shotgun house? These are traditional houses that are narrow and long with a veranda at the front. Rooms are constructed one after the other. You can shoot a gun right through to the back of the house if you so choose! (we decided not to) Our host Miriam lived at the back and we had two rooms, a bathroom and a kitchen at the front. We each had our own space which was great. Miriam was kind and friendly and even drove us downtown to the start of our marathon. The neighbourhood was interesting and while we wouldn't have walked around at night I loved staying in a normal New Orleans neighbourhood rather than with a bunch of tourists. We either walked or took a short bus ride into the French Quarter. I have nothing but happy memories of my time there. Well New Orleans is my favourite American city and I've been there three times so I can't help but have a good time!
I loved staying here!!!
Music is nonstop in New Orleans. The city's history is rich and the Cities of the Dead are a must-see. And the food..the food....for beignets I recommend Cafe Beignet. Cafe Du Mond gets all the glory but I prefer the quieter Cafe Beignet on Royal St. Shrimp poboys, Jambalaya....oh I am drooling! Just go to New Orleans!
A room with a view in Madeira - January 2015
Once again my friend June joined me for a week-long visit to this beautiful Portuguese island. Having heard wonderful things about Madeira from my English and European friends I can happily say it did not disappoint. In fact, I will be truly disappointed if my wanderings don't take me back to this place but for longer next time.
We stayed with Jorge and his family in a wonderful home he had built just outside of Funchal (which was easily accessible by bus) and within walking distance of the lovely fishing village of Camara de Lobos.
I never got tired of this view from our balcony! There was quite a bit of wine consumed from this viewpoint.
Jorge and his wife were lovely hosts. He picked us up at a designated bus stop in Funchal upon our arrival. They provided breakfast for our first morning and then we were on our own but that was fine as the room was clean and cheap. The bus stop was just outside on the main road going into Funchal. He also recommended three walks for us to do which we diligently completed. The first one was a bit scary when we were walking on very narrow pavement...
Intrigued? Read more about here! This picture was not taken at the worst bit - I held both arms out to balance myself so not time for pictures!!!
The other two weren't as bad. To be fair I think we did take a wrong turn along the way for this one - in fact I know we did! We also did the Baia D'Abra and the Nuns Path - for the latter walk he dropped us off and picked us up later. Speaking for myself here I don't know if I would have known about these walks if he hadn't told us.
Liverpool - March 2015
In Liverpool, I stayed in a room in a Victorian house in Birkenhead. My host Anne was a love and we would spend evenings sitting in her kitchen with a bottle of red wine surrounded by dogs and setting the world right. After a yummy breakfast cooked by Steve her husband, I would head off to do all the Beatley things across the Mersey river as well as a quick trip to Manchester to tour the set of Coronation Street. Anne was a Corrie fan as well which was fun. She "got" it.
I had a comfy bed and a tea kettle - what more do I need?
Are you home Paul...oh that's right. He moved out of this place quite a few years ago.
And then I went to Manchester and pulled a pint at the rovers.
On my last evening there Anne fixed me the famous Liverpool dish Scouse...
Yes those are beets in the stew. This is why Liverpudlians are called Scousers. Scouse is basically a stew with meat, potatoes, onions and whatever else you fancy. It was so kind of her to do this for me - I provided the red wine!
I was sad to leave and if I ever go back to Liverpool for an overnight trip I'll be sure to stay there again.
Streatham, London - March 2015, etc. etc.
My next Airbnb was in Streatham, South East London. I obviously liked the place and the host as it's now my "home away from home" in London! Claudia and I immediately became friends and I enjoyed the antics of her son Alessandro as well. I have stayed there almost exclusively since then. Claudia and I always go for Afternoon tea when I hit town as well as at least one evening in the nearby Railway pub. Of course, there is wine in the garden (and sometimes barbeques!) and tea in the colder weather...okay there could be wine too! I have met my wonderfully fun and lovely Oz buddies Loraine and Linda there and it is so interesting to meet others at the morning breakfast table. I really feel at home there and I can't wait to walk into the shop across from the station to top up my Oyster (London transit card) and have Kevin, owner say "you're back, how long this time". At least I hope he still recognizes me!!! I love having this special place in London. I think this is what enables me to wander far and wide making London my base as I've got a place where I feel at home and someone who is always pleased to see me. (I think - ha!) I can also stash stuff under the stairs in between trips....I have a carry bag waiting for me right now with my shampoo, soap, my Capital Ring book and other stuff that I didn't want to carry back because of course I was planning to be back later in the year. Uh huh..
In 2015 I wanted to experience staying in different parts of London. Besides staying at Claudia's place I also stayed with a dogsitter in Southgate, North London, with a couple in their trendy new apartment in Limehouse, East London and in a family home in Brockley, SE London. Every stay comes with a story or two.
Reykjavik, Iceland - June 2015
On my way to and from my six-month adventure in 2015 I stopped off in Iceland. On the way back I stayed with Henry in central Reykjavik. My first preference had been at a place near the Harbour where I had stayed in October 2013. While the host was okay I had fallen in love with the dog - an Icelandic sheepdog named Rosa!! Sadly that was already booked and the host has since left Airbnb. However, my room at Henry's was just fine with a comfortable bed and sofa. He loved music, travel and adventures so needless to say we had lots to talk about. On my last evening there he fixed a delicious seafood pasta dish. Did I feel awkward with a male host? Not at all. Henry wasn't the first nor will he be the last.
This was the view towards the centre of Reykjavik from just outside Henry's building which is on the right.
I wandered around wonderfully quirky Reykjavik as well as taking a couple of day tours. Just seeing these pictures makes me want to go back!!!
Gorey, Jersey, Channel Islands April/May 2016
It wasn't so much the host (who was very much distracted with a brand new baby) that made this a favourite but the actual location. How often do you get to stay in a place right under a castle in a house that is featured on postcards, tea towels, fridge magnets...and I've got them all!
See that cream coloured house with the balcony on the right side of the picture? That was my temporary home for a week. My room was the middle window on the second floor (or first floor if you are in the UK ) Not only that but the bus stop was the other side of the hut on the right. I couldn't get much better than that. Gorey Castle was fun to visit as well. I am a huge fan of the naturalist Gerald Durrell so of course I had to go to his wildlife park which consists of endangered animals. I had visited Jersey previously way back in 1988 and it was always on my "revisit" list so I'm glad I could get back there. I highly recommend it as a holiday destination.
I love public transport and the Jersey bus system is wonderful. I got myself a pass and visited all sorts of beautiful places.
I had to have some Jersey ice cream with the famous Jersey cream on top!
Here's the fridge magnet!
Malaga, Spain December 2016/January 2017
I spent three weeks over Christmas and New Years at Pilar's flat in Malaga. This was my view every morning...
The walking path went right into downtown Malaga. Sadly I wasn't able to walk that far as this was a "last holiday" before my knee replacement surgery. I took day trips all over the Costa del Sol as well as a short getaway to Seville.
My room was small but did the job and I had a desk to do my writing. I shared the bathroom with Pilar and whoever was in the room beside me but it was never a problem. Sadly Pilar has had to move so this room is no longer available.
Pilar told me about a lovely restaurant opposite her building where I had my first meal and my last!!! And a couple in between of course!!
Here's a token photo for the cat lovers. This is the restaurant and in the background you can see Pilar's building in between the pillars.
Pilar also recommended I go to Pedregalejo which is a beautiful area of Malaga that was just a ten-minute walk from the apartment. I loved it! I actually had my Christmas meal there (freshly grilled sardines and salad - not something I'll repeat but it was an experience!) and visited at least three times.
After all my daily wanderings during those three weeks it was always nice to come back to my "home".
Barcelona, Spain January 2018
I was on another extended trip based out of London (four and a half months!) so for my crazy long weekend trip to Barcelona in late January I decided to go cheap. It was a short metro ride from the centre and was clean and comfortable. Even if my room had a basketball hoop in it!
Of course, Barcelona is known for the spectacular architecture of Antoni Gaudi. It definitely did not disappoint. I was a bit anxious about visiting Barcelona due to it being the "pickpocket capital of Europe". I heard of and read many horror stories. However, I had no issues despite riding the metro and wandering all over the place including the notorious Las Ramblas. I wore my cross-body purse, did not pull out my phone or a map in public (so yes I did get a bit misplaced but it gave me the excuse to stop for a coffee) and used a small camera. I also wear a money belt under my clothes and I have done this for many many years and so far so good.
Helsinki, Finland - June 2019
In Helsinki I stayed with Ani who had a small flat complete with sauna (pretty much a standard feature in Finnish homes) in the Herttoniemi area in the east of the city. My room was small and just had a curtain separating me from the main apartment however once again it was the hospitality that made this one of my favourites. Every evening Ani and I would sit on her lovely balcony watching Baltic ferries glide past in the distance - she with her ever-present coffee and me with the latest wine cooler drink I'd picked up from the grocery store. I also tried out that sauna on my last evening! She was always interested in what I had gotten up to that day and advised me not to miss the beautiful new Helsinki library. And she made pie!!!
Whether it was sitting on the balcony enjoying the view, ticking all the "must sees" of Helsinki off my list or having my mind blown by the beautiful new library I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Helsinki.
Bath, UK - December 2019/January 2020
I stayed a week with Hilary, Alan and their dog Henry in the beautiful city of Bath. As a dog lover it's always a bonus when my hosts have a dog and I was even asked if I wanted to dogsit the following September when they visited Canada. I declined as I had other plans but you know....2020..... As we were the same "vintage" we found out we liked the same music. When I told them I was going to see James Taylor in April (ha, ha...finally seeing him May 1) they were so excited. Upon my arrival they immediately invited me to join them for a delicious turkey curry. Breakfast was included (a yummy one) so we would sit and talk music and travel while the tunes played. I kept busy sightseeing each day but everything closed down on New Years Day. At breakfast New Year's morning they asked if I wanted to go for a walk with them so of course I said yes. We walked over to nearby Charlcombe and in the afternoon we drove over to Bristol to see "Little Women" at the cinema.
My room was clean and comfortable.What else do you need?
There are other hosts and homes that I enjoyed as well - after all I've stayed in forty one Airbnb's with at least three more coming up later this year in Edinburgh, Orkney and Gloucestershire.
When I book an Airbnb I check the reviews carefully and I try to book Superhosts (hosts with a five-star rating) however I tend to go with what feels comfortable to me. Of course things happen...my Airbnb host in Halifax canceled on me three weeks before my trip as her bathroom renos were behind. She recommended someone to me and while it was okay I wouldn't stay there again.
I sometimes still stay in hotels, guest houses or regular Bed and Breakfasts when there is no option for a convenient or reasonably priced Airbnb or if I am only going to be somewhere for a day or two. A lot of Airbnb hosts are working full time so have check-in times later in the day which may not be convenient if you are arriving earlier in the day. You always have to be mindful of service fees as well as they can put the unit into the same price range as a hotel. I miss the old fashioned Bed and Breakfasts of the 80's and 90's when someone rented a room or two in their home now that the kids had left. These days most Bed and Breakfasts are more like inns and while that can be fun sometimes my budget doesn't allow that too often. Airbnb is as close as I can get to old school Bed and Breakfasts. It goes without saying that as the hosts are local they recommend places that most tourists don't know about. In fact some registered Bed and Breakfasts are on Airbnb.
As an Airbnb guest I have reviews from my hosts as well and I'm happy to say they are all positive!! Having a successful Airbnb stay requires honesty and trust on both sides.
Unless there is something distinctive about them (like the "Yellow Submarine" room in that hotel in Singapore) the hotels I've stayed in are a lost memory. However I remember all my Airbnb hosts and the interaction I've had with them. It has added a deep richness to my holidays. I'm looking forward to many many more!
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