traveler24

I have been to Seattle many times over last 20 years...Now retired, limited income and just cannot afford the hotels ( in safe areas)
See ads for this type lodging, usually on Trip Advisor site.
do like the security of conventional hotels--however, willing to venture out...but "not far"
I have "asked around" but not sure if responses are valid...
Figured this site would be a good resource..

Gardyloo

Well, it's all about the devil in the details. Not all AirBnBs - or their neighborhoods - are created equal. Be sure to factor in transportation costs and time. Do you have someplace specific in mind?

suze

Depends where the rental is located.

suze

(sorry, should have included that I live in Seattle, if you have a particular address you are wondering about, if you post it, or the general neighborhood, we can comment.)

happytrailstoyou

I wouldn't advise it for my grandmothers. I want them to be in hotels where somebody can promptly check in on them if necessary.

HTtY

suze

happytrails, Not all "grandmothers" are elderly or need looking after. You could be a grandmother at 40 ;-)

janisj

all airbnb's are not created equal -- but then neither are all hotels. There are some hotels/motels I wouldn't touch w/ a ten foot pole -- and some airbnb's I wouldn't touch w/ ANY length pole.

So it almost entirely depends on thee specific listing/location/amenities/price

happytrailstoyou

Not all "grandmothers" are elderly or need looking after. You could be a grandmother at 40

Ha! The question was about "your" grandmother, and my grandmothers are old and I am concerned for their safety.

There are some hotels/motels I wouldn't touch w/ a ten foot pole -

I wouldn't book my grandmothers into such a place, and I don't advise the OP to do so either.

HTtY

mlgb

Not in downtown Seattle, no way.

suze

traveler24, If you have an address of a specific property & it's downtown, Capitol Hill, First Hill in Seattle, I'm happy to drive by and tell you what the place looks like from the outside, what the neighborhood's like, etc. I've done that before for others on travel forums checking out possibly rentals.

ElendilPickle

I would use Airbnb for an apartment, not a private room in someone else's home.

Lee Ann

nelsonian

i am a grandmother, my DH and I booked an AirBNB apartment in Busan South Korea in January!! We loved it. Like Elendi I would only use it for a whole apartment not a room.

abram

I am a grandmother and often book apartments (not a room in someone's home) when we travel. I'm pretty picky about location.

Tabernash2

Are there any suitable elder hostels in good locations in Seattle?

abram

Although Elder Hostel (now called Road Scholar) is an organization focused on travel for older folks, I've never actually heard of any lodging with that name. I think of hostels as catering to a young crowd.

suze

There are 3 hostels in Seattle, tabernash2, but they aren't aimed a specific age group.

Tabernash2

Do you think one of the hostels could be appropriate, or better than risking AirBnB, suze?

marvelousmouse

The hostel I've had the most experience with is City Hostel, and I have felt safer there than most of the budget motels I've stayed at in Seattle. Part of that is the neighborhood and part of that is the hostel itself. I've had roommates ranging from 25 to 60- I stay in the smaller dorms, and have actually rarely had roommates in the 18-25 age range. A good question to ask yourself is "if I can't get a private room, would I be able to climb into the top bunk in a dorm room?" You can request bottom bunks but in most hostels, that is usually luck of the draw. Another question is "how far can I walk and where am I going to park the car"? City Hostel doesn't have parking, and usually I park in a nearby garage. I'd imagine that's a problem with airbnb too, though.

Hostelling International (there's one in International District) certainly seems to attract more retirees but I haven't stayed at the Seattle location because I don't care for the neighborhood at night. And for me- hostels are all about location- I stay in them not necessarily because of any expectation of privacy or comfort, but because a hotel in the SAME location would probably cost me 300-500 a night.

Now, would I take MY grandmother there? Entirely different matter. One grandmother would be physically unable to climb the stairs at City Hostel (no elevator that I'm aware of and I'm not sure there are handicapped accessible rooms). Other grandmother MIGHT settle for a 3 star hotel, but it would make the trip so much more enjoyable (for me) if I booked a 4/5 star hotel in the first place.

Now- OP, you might be the spry, adventurous sort of grandma, and in that case, definitely try a hostel at least once. I have not been adventurous enough to try airbnb, so I cannot speak for that. But I really think it's a matter of research and expectations- neither airbnb or a hostel is going to be the same as a hotel. Not necessarily much better or much worse- but just different.

Sassafrass

Traveler24,

Are you the Grandmother we are taking about. If so, it depends on your travel experience. How much have you done on your own?

My Mom took busses around the US, but someone always met her at the station. She did not have to fend for herself in cities, so I would not have sent her to an Airbnb rental.

OTOH, I am now in my 70s (and a Grandmother), have traveled a good bit, and used Airbnb as well as Craig's list, regular BnBs, rooms in people's homes and, of course, hotels.

I now prefer Airbnb or hotels to all the others. I do a good deal of research, look carefully at maps and and location and correspond with the owner as much as possible. My experience has been excellent. The owners have been great and very helpful. The locations have been superb.

I would not do an Airbnb where I shared space or baths, etc., only when the whole space is mine exclusively. I also want to feel safe going in and out.

If you feel OK navigating on your own, there is no reason not to use Airbnb. Do the research and run the pics and location by people here who know Seattle. Take Suze up on her sweet offer.