hannah in santorini 2016 — Greetings, Wanderers!

One question that frequently popped up in my first year of business was, "Can you book us on Airbnb (or VRBO, etc)?" Despite being designed for the general consumer, I can't, and even if I could, I wouldn't. Let me elaborate. In 2016, during my inaugural trip abroad, a new site caught my attention, leading me to charming places in Athens, Santorini, and Ios. It was a delightful experience - meeting locals, enjoying complimentary breakfasts, and all at a college-budget-friendly price. However, fast forward a few years, and during a walking tour in Puerto Rico, the guide unveiled the exorbitant accommodation prices due to wealthy individuals purchasing properties and inflating the costs. They weren’t even living there anymore! Subsequent trips yielded similar experiences, with no local greetings, absent breakfast perks, and the added inconvenience of cleaning duties before departing the rented apartment (all while the cleaning fees had doubled.)
Airbnb has changed and while change is inevitable, not all transformations are for the better in my eyes. Today, I want to debunk the myth that these platforms are synonymous with "bargains."
Shown left: Santorini, Greece, 2016

Online images can play tricks on the eyes, and what you see may not always be what you get. Due to the amount of properties on these websites, they might be outdated or not entirely accurate, leading to unexpected surprises. I can’t bring this topic up without thinking of the poor girls who arrived in Italy last year- for their rental to not even exist. Unfortunately, they can't personally inspect every property to guarantee photo accuracy, so anything can be put up.
While you can communicate issues to your host, their ability to assist may be limited. Property owners can live far from the home, leaving you to handle certain matters independently. This happened to me when the owner was cross-country. In contrast to hotels, where room changes are feasible, if something is unsatisfactory or malfunctioning, there's no option to switch to another room or house. You're essentially committed to the property you've chosen.
As a third-party platform, Airbnb (and similar services) impose a service fee in addition to the accommodation rate and taxes. Furthermore, a separate cleaning fee is applicable since housekeeping services are not included. These charges have drastically gone up since 2020, yet property owners are asking visitors to do more and more work before leaving.
These can be substantial, with potential losses of up to 50% within 48 hours of booking. These fees vary depending on the property and host, and they can be quite unforgiving. If you reach out to their customer service, they just tell you to reach out to the host. I’m still waiting on a refund from 2022, but I won’t hold my breath there.
One significant concern is the uncertainty surrounding who might possess a key or have access to the property, potentially compromising the well-being of guests. Unfortunately, reports of hidden cameras within rental spaces have surfaced repeatedly, raising valid concerns about privacy and security during your stay.