This was the worst Airbnb experience I have ever had. I have used Airbnb over 10 times in the past few years and I loved every one. Those 10 Airbnb were small Mom and Dad businesses who had a room to rent out and they were committed to their little, part time business. Because extra income is important to these Mom and Dads, my reviews are always very positive because I don’t want to hurt their business.
Margarets Airbnb is definitely not a Mom and Dad business. Margaret runs a business where there are 3 rooms on the first floor and another 4 rooms in the basement. When full there could be 10 people running around the house.
When I booked, I looked at the photograph of a lovely double bed, fluffy pillows, and huge double room. When I arrived I was surprised to see so many cars. When Margaret showed me the facilities on the first floor there were 3 bedrooms and I saw one which was the exact photograph of the one I had booked. I said to her is that my room and I was told that was not my room as that room was already booked…..to her son who had to decided to come and stay for a few days.
We then walked down through the most untidy bowels of the house and my room was a small cubicle, single bed. I cannot recall if therewas a window. Another negative review said the cubicle measured 3.20 x 2.50 m.
I laid on the bed and my heart sunk. I text her to say this was not the room I had booked, I wanted the one up stairs. She said “Oh well, my son will just have to use the room downstairs” When I asked her why she felt comfortable treating people like that she said it had been a mistake on her part as her printer was not working. I find this hard to believe.
When I asked if I could have a key she said “The lock on the back door does not work so everyone just lets them selves into the house through the unlocked back door” That is unsatisfactory.
I think it is very deceptive to run an advert where you give the impression that you are the only guest in the house, and when you arrive you suddenly realise that you may be surrounded by another 4 people on your floor, plus another 4 guest from downstairs.
I will still use Airbnb as I love the concept, but I will be more aware of how many rooms are in the house. If the advert says tell tale signs like ROOM 1, or UPSTAIRS ROOM, or BLUE ROOM, I will contact the host before booking and ask more questions. Thanks