italy2015

Accommodations in Italy

janisj

>>Any input on airbnb or vrbo<<

You put more info in your thread title than in your questions . . . or non-question.

What areas do you want to stay? Budget?

nytraveler

There are good and bad, convenient and not, budget and expensive places listed by either service in Italy.

Do you have specific lodgings you want information on? What cities?

Do you need tips on selecting places and checking on them/getting references?

You really need to clarify.

Peter_S_Aus

Yes

nukesafe

No

nukesafe

Maybe

janisj

Alamojo

Airbnb in my opinion and experience is a HORRIBLE choice. I made the mistake of booking with them. My experience: their customer service is arrogant and they are in my example untrustworthy. I was planning a South American vacation in June and heard about Airbnb. I went to their website and thought it was a cool concept. I could save money and try something new. What a mistake. After booking and paying for my room some 35 days in advance I thought everything was set and cool. At the last minute, practically on the eve of my departure, they suspended my account and canceled my paid reservation without explanation. I only found out through a private message from my chosen host as I was packing to leave. When I tried to correct Airbnb over the matter they demanded a copy of my passport, access to my Face Book and Google accounts and reconfirmation of my cell number. I didn't want a last-minute derailment of my plans so I unwisely complied. After all that, they wrote that my already 30 days ahead paid reservation was illegitimate and that my account was suspended. Attempts to receive a reason were ignored and I was repeatedly told that they didn't have to give an explanation and were not liable in any way for the mess. Subsequently I had to revoke their permissions, change passwords and accept their corporate hubris / insulting customer service as the "final word". I am now very committed to telling the world of my wretched experience in hopes of sparing other trusting travelers a similar big steaming pile or Airbnb treatment. The good news is, my money was refunded (they had no choice really), I didn't add to their profits and my host of choice understood and received me with a nice welcome. Beware of Airbnb. They might jerk you around as you're in departure as well. I am glad to say that already 4 other friends have now dumped their plans to use Airbnb and I will continue on a righteous mission to share my experience honestly as a cautionary tale regarding Airbnb. The exponential result should make it worthwhile. Choose wisely and seek accommodations elsewhere.

sandralist

Whatever the problems of AirBnB in Latin America, using them for Italy is usually quite good for finding accommodations, and I would choose them over VRBO. However, if you are going to the most popular tourist destinations (Rome, Florence, Venice, the Amalfi coast, etc.), you should also check out the apartment rental agencies for those areas, because they are well established and most are highly reliable.

flpab

I thought their question was should they use airbnb or Vrbo. They are not asking us any other question. That being said I like both. Sandralist also gives good advice on using one of the agencies in the region or city you are visiting. Airbnb has communication issues imo. You have to go through them to communicate and they don't let you email or call directly with the renter. Flipkey from Trip advisor is also a good for info and reviews.

tom_mn

I've used both in Italy successfully. Airbnb uses an escrow system to hold your money until the day after you arrive which some feel is safer, and they also seem to charge higher fees. Vrbo usually requires you send a cash deposit directly to the owner (via PayPal or bank transfer) and then the remainder is paid cash on arrival. Both work, as do local agencies as Sandra suggests.

tom_mn

This is a fantastic apt for a family of 5 in Venice.

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p6645878

3 min walk to train station, quiet, only two flights of stairs up, 3 bedrooms: 1 queen, 2 twin, 1 twin. The loft with futon is full of board games.

A caveat about using a local service: because they have a pool of rentals they can jerk you around at the last minute with a substitution-- that happened to us.

janisj

The OP registered, posted <u>three words</u> back in <u>February</u> and never came back so he isn't looking for anything.

Then Alamojo topped it (and nine other threads) just because they had airbnb in the titles . . . so he isn't looking either.

And now instead of all the threads Alamojo topped (some are 5+ years old) dropping to oblivion -- people are posting to them and they will stay topped . . .

(Unfortunately - This post is topping it as well - but just trying to explain why we should let them rot and fall down the thread list)

nochblad

janisj

Alamojo is clearly an abusive and defamatory new poster.

Unfortunately for such types and others promoting/advertising various sites there is a window of opportunity - morning to late afternoon Europe time when the Fodors monitors seem to be offline and do not remove such postings.

Does anyone know where the monitors are based? California?

annw

Consider just renting rooms/conttages at a villa in Tuscany -- we've stayed at two outside Florence -- Relais Villa L'Olmo and Villa Monteoriolo -- both in vicinity of Impruneta -- both have good set-ups for families staying together. Both on TripAdvisor too.