A Word About Air B and B

Brett and I have done something we have never tried before during this spring of travelling.  We have stayed in Air B and B’s for any stay longer than 3 days. Brett and I like the idea of living like a local and Air B and B offered us the opportunity to spend more time away by cutting the cost of our accommodations and allowing us to shop for and cook our own meals when we wanted to.  This allowed us to cook breakfast, and pack lunch and eat out for supper if desired or simply shop and live like a local in the neighbourhoods we chose to stay in.  I thought I would write a word or two about Air B and B and our experience so far.  

As any good traveller knows it is best to do your homework. Read about where you are going, check reviews with an open mind and research what other travellers and travel professionals have to say about your plan.  This would be my advice with Air B and B as well.  However that having been said, I think it is also important to understand where the reviews are coming from.  Upon first glance it seems that Air B and B is a bit of a hit and miss, there are lots of negative reviews about the site and issues travellers have had.  One of the common threads in my research were people who had their accommodations cancelled very close to their trip, something that would be a nightmare for any traveller, but I noticed that this happened most in North America, not in Europe where I was headed.  

Another common complaint, one even from a colleague back at home, was that you had to be careful that you actually got a bed, not a fold out sofa etc.  The host sites that I searched were very upfront about whether it was a bed or a fold out and I felt like I knew going in exactly what I was going to get.  Time would tell when we checked into our apartments.

Our first Air B and B host Sylvie, in Paris, listed an apartment which I booked for 4 nights right near the Musee des Armie, a must see for our young travelling companion.  According to the ad, the apartment was in a private alley with parking and had a bedroom and a futon, full kitchen, and one of those quaint though not quite functional French showers and bathrooms.  It had all the appliances one would need in a kitchen and laundry facilities, a necessity after 16 days of travel. It was Sylvie’s own apartment and she met us at the entrance to the alley with the fob of the gate.  It was not easy to find but with a GPS and a few trips around the block, we did it. To be honest the apartment for 4 nights cost us less than a hotel for 2.  We also had a change of plans and decided to only stay 3 nights and I asked for a refund for the other night.  It came without question within 24 hours of our change of plans. Brett struggled with the French bathroom which was extremely small and he bumped his head several times, but there were pictures of the bathroom in all it's glory on Sylvie's Air B and B site, I knew exactly what we were getting, he didn't look that closely at the photos obviously. The apartment was exactly as advertised and we were literally steps from all of Paris’ major attractions. This would be a great place to stay if you are in Paris.

Courtyard at Sylvie's Apartment in Paris

Sylvie's Apartment in Paris

Our second stay was in Santa Maria la Caritas in Naples.  It was chosen for it’s proximity to Naples proper, Pompeii, Vesuvius, Ercolano, Sorrento, Salerno and the Amalfi Coast.  It was exactly that, close to everything, right in the heart of the Naples area.  We were hosted by Salvatore and his lovely wife Mary.  It was a one bedroom apartment with all the amenities and even a pool, though our time there was not warm enough to use it.  Again the apartment was exactly as advertised and our host Salvatore, who was out of town on the evening of our check-in, even sent his brother to rescue us from the city centre when we were left without a working GPS, and no data connections on our devices and were horribly lost.  We were treated to fresh homemade cheese and smoked artichokes on Easter Sunday and made to feel very welcome. Our laundry hanging on the line was moved when it rained and we were very grateful. The apartment would have benefited from a dehumidifier but I am not sure those even exist here. Again a very positive experience both with our hosts and the apartment.

Salvatore and Mary's Air B and B in Santa Maria

Moving on to Florence we booked an apartment at the Popartment, a modern artsy place just outside the city centre run by Pia.  This apartment boasts a 24-hour concierge and had two bedrooms and full kitchen as we were traveling with a friend from back home.  The facilities were awesome, the staff were unbelievable and we would recommend this place to anyone going to Florence.  A 10-minute bus ride into the city centre, but far enough away to not be chaotic.  The apartment was newly painted, well appointed and very comfortable.  We originally booked a very large suite with two king rooms but were given a smaller suite with a king room and a twin room.  Our original booking was an apartment for 6 and we were only 3 so the change made sense to us. Both rooms were the same cost. From dining suggestions to the printing of boarding passes and tour vouchers, to a welcome basket with snacks, juice, and goodies, Pia sees to it that you have a wonderful time. She offers laundry facilities and cleaning products, personal care products and whatever else you might need. It was a perfect stay.

Popartment with Pia in Florence

Our last Air B and B booking has been in Rome where I am writing this from.  We are hosted by Nicolo a kind and attentive young man who seems to be at our beck and call. He responds to email within 10 minutes and pops by to be sure we are in need of nothing. He has booked cars to the airport, brought toilet tissue, offered to print passes, you name it.  He has gone through the local transit system, organized places for dinner, and generally made our stay in Rome very pleasant.  Our apartment is a two bedroom, two bathroom full kitchen with living and dining rooms and is literally a 15-minute walk from Vatican City.  Again exactly as advertised.

Nicolo's Vatican House Apartment in Rome

So our experience using Air B and B over the course of this trip has been nothing but positive.  We have met lovely people, be hosted by people who were honest and proud of their homes and their community and would stay in any of them again were we in the neighbourhood. My advice; email your host a few times before booking to see how quickly they respond; read, read and read some more all of the reviews that a host gets, ALL of them; carefully look at pictures and read descriptions so that you know what you are actually getting and lastly do your research about the neighbourhood you are booking in.  Our experience has been a positive one, four times over.  

Cheers,

Rachel