This was my first booking through Air B&B. I couldn't be more disappointed about the whole experience. I was looking to book 3 nights in Istanbul/TR in a bed and breakfast.
First of all, I had to give all my personal and financial information before my booking request was considered. After the initial "pre-confirmation" I was offered a room for the first two night, than move to a different Rm for the last night. I declined the offer and after long written communication back and fort I ASKED KAMIL TO CANCEL MY REQUEST. I received his response as "we hope to guest you in another time".
So, I found several hotels I would call the next morning from the airport in Istanbul. Unfortunately my cancellation request had no value with the Airbnb participant Kamil, my acct was charged for the full amount the next morning. Apparently Kamil received a cancellation from someone else and ignored my cancelation request and decided to give me the room instead!!!!
There was not much I could do. As I said earlier, my payment information was already in Airbnb's system before My request was going to be considered?!? I WOULD NEVER EVER DO THAT AGAIN. I suggest you don't either!
Any way. I did not wanted to spend any more of my time trying to maneuver Airbnb and ventured to stay three days in Kamil's B&B. I communicated with him my expectations; "please make sure that the A/C works well, beds are comfy, and room is quite.
What was sold to me was a cheap hotel room not a B&B. The A/C was fixed to 75 degree Fahrenheit, in August. I ended up having to call the Airbnb-US (very high long distance rate on my cell phone), After several failed attempts to get the personnel fix the A/C. It was past 10:30 pm in Istanbul. TV was not working either, there was no elevator, and the bathroom tiles were spotted with what looked like mildew stains. The overall condition of the room was very poor! I told Taylor S, of Airbnb that I would be looking for an alternative accommodation tomorrow and asked for full refund of my money. I received her email confirming our conversation shortly after that. She said that will contact the host next morning and let me know how I can proceed. I never received anything more from her in regards to "how to proceed".
The A/C cooled the room somewhat and I felt that I had no way getting my money back. Next morning I talk to the host and got them to move us to an other building, in to a smaller room with better A/C. I found the rates much cheaper on several travel side and got them to reduce the rate a little.
However, nothing is worth the aggravation and lost time!
They should not even be on Airbnb. It is a hotel not a "B&B"