We’ve lived solely in airbnb’s for over a year now. In Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, Wanaka, Waiheke Island, Thailand, Bali, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, New York and will be in Europe next year. Probably spent over $100,000.
I think I understand how the airbnb game works (for some people) … you live in a nice house (which it is), and you jack the price so high that if someone is crazy enough to pay the rate, you grab your family and go to Fiji or the bach or whatever. But this is way over priced. This rubbish about once-upon-a-time it used to be Wellingtons blah blah expensive house is weak, and who cares.
On a positive note, it is a sweet place. Central heating, double glazing, warm and quiet. It is almost right at the top of the cable car. And close to the botanical gardens. Our host was friendly and communicative.
My complaint is that it is over sold, and overpriced. For approximately $1000 per night somewhere to hang my clothes be nice (the wardrobes were full of other peoples stuff). Insulting really. I had my clothes piled up on a chair. It looks like the family ran out the door just before we arrived. I don’t want to look at wardrobes, rooms, and cupboards jammed full with someone else’s stuff. And there are people living downstairs (although they are nice folks and very quiet), with their cars on the driveway (the host does disclose this in the listing). I just didn't feel 'at home' somehow. We’ve stayed in much nicer, much bigger, and much better places for the money. Our favourite place in Welly was unavailable for our trip, and is less than a third of the price. We actually prefer it. Here's where we're going next (Queenstown example) https://www.airbnb.co.nz/rooms/25082037 and is about the same price.
Hosts probably get away with this silliness because kiwis can be so non-confrontational. But the purpose of reputation systems is to allow future guests to make an informed decision. And being nice defeats this purpose.