How trustworthy are apartment rentals in Italy off websites?
Apr 16th, 2013, 05:38 AM
#1
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How trustworthy are apartment rentals in Italy off websites?
I have liked 2 apartments, one in Venice and another in Florence on airbnb.com and holiday leggings.co.uk respectively.
Both are offering an excellent price, but I don't even know if they exist.
Neither have any reviews, aren't posted on any other website and the owner in case of the Venice apt, is new.
How do I know that they're legit, and/or are as advertised?
Here are the links, if anybody can help me out here:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1049446
https://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/re...lorence/394486
Thanks.
Both are offering an excellent price, but I don't even know if they exist.
Neither have any reviews, aren't posted on any other website and the owner in case of the Venice apt, is new.
How do I know that they're legit, and/or are as advertised?
Here are the links, if anybody can help me out here:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1049446
https://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/re...lorence/394486
Thanks.
Apr 16th, 2013, 08:30 AM
#2
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I've never used either of those rental sites, but have used Sleepsinitaly.com. They have a helpful staff and the apartments (I rented 2 last year - one in Rome and one in Florence, and am renting another in Rome at the end of this month) have all been exactly as pictured and described.
Highly recommend this rental company. Very trustworthy.
Highly recommend this rental company. Very trustworthy.
Apr 16th, 2013, 12:29 PM
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I haven't used AirBnB but from what I've heard, it has a little more safety than some websites like VRBO because AirBnB acts as a middleman and the owner doesn't get the money until you are there or somethign like that. Don't know the details, but you can find out.
My gut feeling is it is legitimate because I like him writing in Italian asking you to be quite between certain hours (and not smoking). May be dumb to think that way, just seems like something a scam artist wouldn't write.
However, there isn't any way in the world you can guarantee everything is exactly as promised on any of these kind of websites. It is tough for someone starting out without reviews.
Anyway, sorry, I don't have any great tips to figure out what is legit, except to check the money policies, as I said.
My gut feeling is it is legitimate because I like him writing in Italian asking you to be quite between certain hours (and not smoking). May be dumb to think that way, just seems like something a scam artist wouldn't write.
However, there isn't any way in the world you can guarantee everything is exactly as promised on any of these kind of websites. It is tough for someone starting out without reviews.
Anyway, sorry, I don't have any great tips to figure out what is legit, except to check the money policies, as I said.
Apr 17th, 2013, 05:39 AM
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It's west of the train station, which to me has always been the cut-off point for choosing a location in Florence.
However, if you google the street, it looks quite attractive. There are far dingier and more characterless streets in the central area.
I might not choose it for myself, because I'm addicted to the Oltrarno neighbourhood - but if price is an issue, it may be worth the walk.
However, if you google the street, it looks quite attractive. There are far dingier and more characterless streets in the central area.
I might not choose it for myself, because I'm addicted to the Oltrarno neighbourhood - but if price is an issue, it may be worth the walk.
Apr 17th, 2013, 05:43 AM
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abshim: "Due diligence" on both these places should include checking other renters' reviews. If a place has no reviews at all, I would avoid it.
I'm not saying the place does not exist - only that you have no way of determining the condition of the property, the standard of housekeeping etc.
Professional photos can be very, VERY deceptive. As a very frequent renter of holiday apartments, I can attest to this from personal experience. (My worst experiences have been in the US, btw)
I'm not saying the place does not exist - only that you have no way of determining the condition of the property, the standard of housekeeping etc.
Professional photos can be very, VERY deceptive. As a very frequent renter of holiday apartments, I can attest to this from personal experience. (My worst experiences have been in the US, btw)
Apr 17th, 2013, 06:09 AM
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I can understand what Ted thinks, if you are risk averse, I'd do that also. But reviews obviously can be completely edited, anyway, or even fictional, at least on some websites. Hope it turns out okay, at least Roberto in Venice seems pretty fluent in English from the text. And at least he cares about keeping the place quiet, which is very nice. In fact, I haven't seen terms that specific on too many websites (must be quiet and respect the periods of silence and repose between certain hours, one being the "siesta" and the other between 11 pm and 7 am).
Apr 17th, 2013, 06:43 AM
#12
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The benefit to using a "service" (Sleepinitaly, airbnb, rentalsinrome,etc) is that they make their money by being the management agent and making people happy. So, if you are unhappy with an apartment, they know it will get out and lower their rating on these travel boards.
When you use a service like VRBO, where owners list their own properties, then you do incur a bit more risk.
That being said, I found my absolute best Venice apartment (I have just reserved it for my 4th stay) on VRBO.com.
I am also renting from RentalInRome for the first time. (I usually rent from SleepInItaly when in Rome.) So far, I am very impressed with RentalInRome. THey have been very responsive and were quick to make recommendations based on my need of accommodations that allowed pets. I will, of course, report back here after my stay.
One more note- they may not have reviews on the websites. But you might be able to find reviews of them or reviews of the services (airbnb) on TripAdvisor.com. Do check there.
Good luck!
When you use a service like VRBO, where owners list their own properties, then you do incur a bit more risk.
That being said, I found my absolute best Venice apartment (I have just reserved it for my 4th stay) on VRBO.com.
I am also renting from RentalInRome for the first time. (I usually rent from SleepInItaly when in Rome.) So far, I am very impressed with RentalInRome. THey have been very responsive and were quick to make recommendations based on my need of accommodations that allowed pets. I will, of course, report back here after my stay.
One more note- they may not have reviews on the websites. But you might be able to find reviews of them or reviews of the services (airbnb) on TripAdvisor.com. Do check there.
Good luck!
Apr 17th, 2013, 08:31 AM
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So luckily, somebody from tripadvisor actually said he knew roberto of the Venice apt, so makes me more comfortable booking with him.
The Florence apartment is in sant ambrogio. Liking everything I've read about the area so far, plus the owner says it is a 10 minute walk from the duomo. I assume thats a good enough location. I do have an option to stay close to ponte vecchio, but the current one in discussion looks just beautiful (really see all pictures!)
The Florence apartment is in sant ambrogio. Liking everything I've read about the area so far, plus the owner says it is a 10 minute walk from the duomo. I assume thats a good enough location. I do have an option to stay close to ponte vecchio, but the current one in discussion looks just beautiful (really see all pictures!)
Apr 17th, 2013, 09:18 AM
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Actually, the one in Florence is due east of the stazzione and centro area. A few blocks farther out than I would prefer, but certainly walkable. And it does look like a nice unit. Have a great trip!
Apr 17th, 2013, 12:41 PM
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We rented a terrific apartment last year in Venice through Home Away. It was better than the pictures, and everything was as promised. We also used Home Away for a cottage in Laguna Beach this past winter. Again. No problems, and the owners also had it listed on VRBO. But as one responder said, I'd also be leery of ones that didn't have at least a few reviews.
Apr 17th, 2013, 12:57 PM
#18
Mappy.com says it's a 21 minute walk from that street to the Duomo. I can tell you from the map location it's a further walk than that and would add at least 5 more minutes as I think Mappy underestimates (Google underestimates more than Mappy).
Tedgale and I have both stayed at the same apartment in the Oltarno which if you look at a map, it is closer to the center than the one you are looking at and it was a good 15 minute walk to either the train station or the center. It's cheaper too. It's further than many people want to be, but closer than what you are looking at and in better proximity to the train and bus stations for day trips.
http://www.residenzailcarmine.com/
http://www.residenzailcarmine.com/
Tedgale and I have both stayed at the same apartment in the Oltarno which if you look at a map, it is closer to the center than the one you are looking at and it was a good 15 minute walk to either the train station or the center. It's cheaper too. It's further than many people want to be, but closer than what you are looking at and in better proximity to the train and bus stations for day trips.
http://www.residenzailcarmine.com/
http://www.residenzailcarmine.com/
Apr 17th, 2013, 02:15 PM
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Not to kick a dead horse here, but I recently walked from the duomo to Borgo Pinti, and it was about 5-6 minutes. This apartment is about 2 1/2 times that distance, according to the map, so I would put it at less than 15 minutes to the duomo. Regardless of what Mappy says.
