I never book AirBnB's because they refuse to address the core issues of privacy within the homes - such as owners installing hidden cameras. So many private videos are shared from AirBnB's and yet they do nothing about it - simply because they're just the glorified middlemen here and don't have actual staff who physically vet their locations. This is why hotels rule are preferred. IF I book a room in Hilton, I know full well knowing I will receive a guaranteed comfort level. An AirBnB's host's mood determins if I will enter their property or will be stranded in the middle of the road (been there, done that). And I would much rather talk to someone at a reception than type out an email hoping I get a reply.
I booked an AirBnb in Spain, no cameras mentioned in the listing. When I arrived, I found two, one of them pointed at the bathroom door, so most of the bathroom was visible when the door was open. Also, even though photos mostly matched the apartment, the address in the listing was not the real address. The host directed me to a different address in private messages. Reported it all to AirBnb, they ignored it.
Cameras in short term rentals in Spain is another level of insolence. If you rent over airbnb and booking in Spain there WILL BE camera(s) in the apartment. They will frivolously say "it's disabled right now". I have no idea how they are not sued into fucking oblivion. I know about "ocupas", but I am not "ocupas" and I'm paying you 100 euro per night for this shithole with cameras inside.
It creeped me out that I didn’t find a camera in the bedroom. There was one pointing at the bathroom and one at the general living room and kitchen area. The bedroom had so many decorations that I couldn’t tell if there was a hidden camera. I made sure to only change in the bathroom with the door closed, but I (female, traveling alone) still felt uneasy.
Up until then I stayed in Airbnbs plenty of times but I haven't stayed in one since then and don't plan to unless there's no other choice.
I am also deterred by the never ending shady descriptions and filtering. Too many times, selecting something with two bedrooms, and when you look and read closely, it shows a couch in the living room which is the "second bedroom". This and quality issues, and sometimes even blatant cancellations from the owners.
My GF loves it though and has a bigger preference of staying somewhere more homely as opposed to a hotel. Truth be told she has found a couple of great places...
Potential hidden cameras is the #1 reason I prefer hotels over Airbnb.
I've seen Airbnb slowly get banned in many places I've visited over the last 5-6 years. Hong Kong. Banned and heavily restricted. Singapore. Same. Saigon. Same. All of China. Same. Taipei. Same.
I sold all my Airbnb stocks. I couldn't be wrong and maybe they'll find a way but it seems like the world wants less and less Airbnb and not more.
why are they banned ? is it violation of local regulations or is it pressure from the hotel lobby - specifically singapore which has capitalist aspirations.
in my experience, the local regulations are at least somewhat "informed" by the hotel lobby - that was the watercooler talk in/around Honolulu, at least. i still prefer hotels to AirBnBs in almost all cases but i see the benefit for large groups/families.
just curious why they would not let a business like airbnb operate - is it pressure on housing (investors soaking up the housing stock) or is it something else ? By capitalist aspirations I meant friendly to business, and less regulations. I do understand that - housing, like education and healthcare cannot be left entirely to private means.
