This was published 6 years ago
Readers' tips: Airbnb's new policy gives the illusion of positive experience
A Traveller reader finds out the hard way that on Airbnb, a room is not just a room.Credit: Peter Braig
TO B OR NOT TO B
I recently booked a month-long rental on Airbnb in Sydney. I'm a transplanted Aussie living in New York. I haven't visited Sydney in five years so this was going to be a working holiday. Two days before I arrived, the host emailed to say he had changed rooms with me and his girlfriend had moved in. There were no other similar listings left on Airbnb so I thought a room is a room and it would all be fine. Boy, was I wrong.
I walked into the apartment and it looked nothing like the photos posted on Airbnb except for the kitchen. I made a passing comment that the apartment didn't resemble the pictures. The host took me up a spiral staircase to my room with an en suite. The upstairs bedroom was over the living room and kitchen. I was shocked the room didn't have a door or any privacy. I told him this wouldn't work as I'm a light sleeper. He promised that he and the girlfriend would be careful with noise and such. I'd never choose to share with two people since the living vibe is different sharing with individuals or a couple. Also from the downstairs kitchen you could see right into the upstairs bathroom.
The Azadi Tower, or King Memorial Tower, in Tehran.Credit: EmmePi Travel / Alamy
I contacted Airbnb via email and after no response for 24 hours, I tweeted them and received a response in 15 minutes. They suggested I look for another rental and sent me links to three properties that I would have to pay for again. I was running my business full-time and trying to catch up with friends. I didn't have time to find another space, nor the money to pay again, when I didn't get what I paid for originally.
The host twice offered to swap rooms and I agreed but his girlfriend nixed the idea both times. The couple were home nearly every night so I got no peace or quiet and the girlfriend would blare music while she prepared dinner, then they'd blare TV the rest of the evening. Because of the noise I was out nearly every night I was there.
After nine days Airbnb decided to close the case as I wasn't prepared to pay for another space. They said: "We have gathered information provided by you and your host and after reviewing the listing we found no violation on the host side."
I asked them what evidence the host provided to validate his claim and they never responded. So a completely different living area, a bedroom without a door, living with two people instead of one, no quiet and no privacy.
Of course after this experience I wanted to write a review on the hosts page. But, if you're not aware of the review policy on the site, both the host and guest have to post a review or else they don't show on Airbnb. This gives the illusion that everyone is having a wonderful Airbnb experience even if they are not.
ILANA EBERSON, NEW YORK
TIP OF THE WEEK
THINK LOCAL
Anyone thinking of going to Iran might consider using a local tour company. On our recent trip we booked with Pars Tourist Agency (key2persia.com) and they handled everything in a friendly and professional manner. The cost was considerably less than the comparable length tours from more well known companies marketing in the west.
The tour price included the invitation letter to enable us to obtain a visa on arrival. As the immigration official stamped our visa he cheerily said "welcome to Iran" and offered us a chocolate from the bowl on the counter. This kind of hospitality is widespread in Iran.
We were impressed with every aspect of the tour, including our knowledgeable English speaking guide.
Iran is an interesting country, with a rich history, beautiful gardens and architecture and very friendly people.
Judith Kilroy, Medowie, NSW
NORWAY ON TRACK
Norway State Railways (NSB) gets 11/10 for customer service! During a recent trip to Norway, we were to catch a series of trains and bus to travel 540 kilometres from Oslo to Alesund. However due to track works for the first part of the trip, the train was replaced by a coach and the four-hour train trip became a five-hour road trip which meant we missed our connecting train. We thought we were going to have wait five hours for the next train but instead were amazed to be met by a taxi that had been pre-booked by NSB to drive us 110 kilometres to the next stop, at their cost. When we got there we found we had also missed the next bus connection and so the rail office promptly arranged another taxi to drive us the next 100 kilometres to our final destination. It would have cost NSB about $1200 in taxi fares but it was all managed by them with no fuss and great efficiency.
Robyn Smith, Mount Waverley, VIC
BAG LIMIT
Air travel is murder on luggage. We over-pack our bags and have been known to sit on them to get the zip closed. The luggage handlers have to work flat-out to tote them here and there and have been seen to throw them about fairly aggressively; so they get damaged.
I have seen it suggested to buy cheap bags and replace them as needed. Trouble is, these can be exactly what you get, cheap bags that don't work that well. My recommendation from experience is to buy a good bag with a replacement guarantee.
I have bought Antler bags from Myer's as our needs change. They have a 10-year warrantee and Myer's in Geelong has been great in dealing with Antler in Melbourne for us. When the wheels were damaged on our first bag it was replaced in no time.
The replacement bag recently (after five years' travel) sustained a broken base. Not expecting to be eligible for another replacement I was pleasantly surprised to be told that it was still under warrantee. The helpful staff at Myer's made phone calls and followed up with me too. So I now have a brand new Antler suitcase, fully guaranteed for another 10 years.
Thank you Myer Geelong and Antler for such good service and pleasant surprises!
Lorraine Corcoran, Ocean Grove, Vic
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.