I joined Airbnb in 2017 just before I travelled with my husband to Spain but I become hesitant as the idea of staying in someone's residential home did not sit well with me. Couldn't do it again in August 2018 and August 2019 when we travelled overseas. So I tried it for the first time as a last minute booking for Cape Town to spend the New Year for 7 nights. We were a family of 7 (2 adults and 5 children).
The the host, Alex contacted me on WhatsApp after the booking was confirmed. Check-in was smooth as the family helper, Victor, was waiting for us. Alex was also communicating with us just before check-in.
The house set up was just perfect for us. My 2 boys were in their room and the 3 girls in the other room with 3 single beds ( one awesomely suspended) . Alex and his family made plenty of space in the wardrobes for us, which was not expected. We could fit clothes for more than a month, that's how much space was created for us.
The house is in a highly guarded suburbs in Hout Bay called Penzance. The are security cameras installed around Penzance, monitored 24 hours a day. We could see security guards walking up and down the street.
There is a BP Petrol Station with a Pick n Pay mini market express shop about 5 minutes walk from the house. There is a shopping mall 5 minutes drive further with a Woolworths and Pick n Pay for groceries.
We all loved the house and actually spent 60% of our time relaxing in the house. The kids enjoyed swimming everyday.
On check-out, Alex and his family arrived to greet us. It was nice to meet the owners of the house in person.
Thank you Alex and family for giving us our first Airbnb experience which was outstanding. I will now look at Airbnb positively for my next travel.