[jsonne]

I lived in Aribnb's for roughly a year and a half. They actually did a profile on our family on the Today Show on NBC about it.

I think the thing I hated about it the most was the system of hosts rating the guests. It was always stressful especially when our ability to simply secure our next place to live was dependent on, to some degree, a hosts subjective evaluation of how they felt the stay went. For instance I have a toddler, at one location my toddler played with some toys that were in the house. We put them back where they were but they were incorrectly arranged (not damaged just put back not the way they wanted) and the host left us a negative review. We disputed it and airbnb sided us, but the whole feeling of constant judgement makes it difficult to relax in a space. I wish they had some better / more objective system as you never know when you'll encounter an unreasonable person. To me this is the single biggest negative. A sort of cloud of social credit hanging over your head.

At this point I would never use Airbnb except for long term (30 days+) type of travel. Between the extremely intense chores you're basically given plus huge cleaning fees hotels are superior in nearly every way for short term trips. The significant % reduction for staying a month too makes it a lot more palatable. I think Airbnb sees this too which is why they're leaning so heavily into the digital nomad / long term travel user segment. It's a place they can genuinely win vs a hotel. For short term stays not dealing with unreasonable hosts, not getting surprise fees, and there not being a bunch of chores makes things significantly more enjoyable. As noted on social platforms by others getting hit with a massive cleaning fee and also then being expected to do chores also feels like a slap in the face.

[renewiltord]

It seems like the social credit system is actually quite good. The problem is it isn't page ranked or weighted. Low rated people should count for less and people who low rate everyone should count for less.

Dynamic range in your ratings should matter.

FWIW I use Airbnb and hotels extensively. They fill different needs for me. And sometimes I use the composites: Hilton Residences or whatever. So far mostly good. I generally don't do anything extensive. The most you'll get from me is putting the sheets in the dryer. If you want me to clean the shoe mat and stuff you need to have no cleaning fee.

[purpleblue]

Many Airbnbs don't let you do more than 30 days. In places like California, staying someone for over 30 days automatically turns you into a tenant, with tenant rights. There was a case where someone stayed in an Airbnb for over 30 days, became a tenant unbeknownst to the host, and then proceeded to squat there for months while the host had to go through the eviction process. It was a nightmare.

[samtp]

Same in DC