Tried AirBNB for business trip - Never Again
Jan 28, 2017, 2:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: A3*G, Fairmont Pl, Accor Pl, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Amex Platinum
Posts: 182
Tried AirBNB for business trip - Never Again
My business partner and I tried AirBNB on a recent business trip because we are getting tired of hotels and stay in small Italian towns most of the time - so it seemed like a good option.
Drove 4 hours to a confirmed AirBNB reservation. It was closed. Called the number - they forgot we were coming. Raining outside - had to wait 2 hours for rooms to be ready. Shotty internet. etc. etc.
Host was very nice and we quietly left without complaint - it was mostly our fault for booking it for a business trip.
While AirBNB may be nice for personal travel to allow more varied experiences - we wont use it again for business - because it can lead to more varied experiences . . .
Drove 4 hours to a confirmed AirBNB reservation. It was closed. Called the number - they forgot we were coming. Raining outside - had to wait 2 hours for rooms to be ready. Shotty internet. etc. etc.
Host was very nice and we quietly left without complaint - it was mostly our fault for booking it for a business trip.
While AirBNB may be nice for personal travel to allow more varied experiences - we wont use it again for business - because it can lead to more varied experiences . . .
Feb 6, 2017, 8:34 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
1) Did you communicate at all with the host prior to the stay? The first time I used AirBnB, I communicated with the hosts a few times before showing up to confirm dates, times, locations, etc. Bad on the host for forgetting, but communication is key, I've found.
2) Would you have had to drive 4 hours either way? Assuming this is more to suggest that you were tired and would have appreciated the host and room being ready when you arrived, and that a hotel would have been in the same area had you gone that route.
3) Don't know that you can make a judgement after one experience, but that's your prerogative. To that point, though, I've never done AirBnB for business, although that is because I work for a large corporation and I'm required to use our travel portal which does not include AirBnB, HomeAway, etc. I have used it for personal travel and it's been positive.
2) Would you have had to drive 4 hours either way? Assuming this is more to suggest that you were tired and would have appreciated the host and room being ready when you arrived, and that a hotel would have been in the same area had you gone that route.
3) Don't know that you can make a judgement after one experience, but that's your prerogative. To that point, though, I've never done AirBnB for business, although that is because I work for a large corporation and I'm required to use our travel portal which does not include AirBnB, HomeAway, etc. I have used it for personal travel and it's been positive.
Apr 20, 2017, 12:46 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oslo
Programs: SK*D; Accor & Starwood Plat
Posts: 82
You can also get very bad experiences with hotels. It happened to me that I had to sleep in a conference room an an army camp bed type since the hotel was overbooked.
I am using airbnb from time to time for long business stay where I want to be able to cook my own food and it went well so far but I communicate a lot upfront with the host to make sure the place will be up to my expectations. Hosts usually like people traveling for business as the risks for damages / noises / problems with neighbors is then minimized.
I am using airbnb from time to time for long business stay where I want to be able to cook my own food and it went well so far but I communicate a lot upfront with the host to make sure the place will be up to my expectations. Hosts usually like people traveling for business as the risks for damages / noises / problems with neighbors is then minimized.