9.09.2015

do Airbnb and VRBO make you nervous?



They should! Airbnb and VRBO have become a very popular way for travelers to find economical accommodations while traveling. Many travelers have enjoyed their stays, but I've also heard some horror stories (and so have you).

What can go wrong? Here are a few potential problems you'll occasionally experience when renting directly from an owner you don't know:
Pictures posted online may bear no resemblance to the actual rental unit.
Squalid conditions — the home you rent may be filthy and messy.
Flights are delayed — and you can't reach the landlord.
Let me in! You show up, and no one's there to unlock the home.
Problems and more problems with appliances not working and plumbing, electricity, and air conditioning breaking down. Update, 12SEP, 2016 — just heard about someone currently trapped in her AirBnB in New York because the doorknob fell off.
Sometimes it's a scam. On rare occasions, the rental for which you prepaid doesn't actually exist. The "owner" has taken your money and run.
There's a much better way to rent a home in Paris, London, Rome, New York, LA, and more cities soon to come. It's called OneFineStay, and it's a member of Virtuoso, the world's foremost consortium of luxury travel suppliers and travel consultants. Here are the advantages of using your Virtuoso travel consultant to book through OneFineStay.

(1) The Virtuoso amenity is a very nice pair of cashmere slippers for you and your traveling companion(s). You only get these when you book through your Virtuoso travel advisor.

(2) Every home is vetted. I'm told that only 10% of homes are accepted into the rental pool.

(3) Need airport transfers? OneFineStay can get you from the airport to the front door of your home.

(4) Someone is waiting when you arrive. A member of the OneFineStay team will be there show you the home, explain how everything works, provide your keys, and...

(5) You're provided with an iPhone with local calls and data included, preprogrammed with a one touch button to ask for assistance 24/7.

(6) Clean sheets and towels are provided for your stay. OneFineStay uses their own linens, not the owner's. Your home is professionally cleaned before your arrival, you get a mid-week cleaning (for every 7 days rented), and the home is cleaned after your departure.

(7) Some of the homes are absolutely gorgeous! Take a look at the London home in the picture above.


Yes, it will cost more than an Airbnb or VRBO booking, but you do get what you pay for: a beautiful home for much less than a hotel room, great service ... and peace of mind.

copyright (c) 2015 by David Ourisman LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell Travel. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

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