 "Suitcase artwork" by Matt From London is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse. First published on LinkedIn October 2022 I am a loyal fan of Airbnb. In Being a Distance Grandparent I noted, “Airbnb has become a lifeline for Distance Grandparents preferring their own space. The platform offers ordinarily hard-to-find accommodation in non-touristic suburbs and neighbourhoods.” And the same works in reverse when the away family visit ‘home’ and can’t stay with their parents. Generally, you get more space and facilities for your dollar and if you’re staying for a while, that’s very helpful. Nothing has changed there.
However, my relationship with Airbnb has moved a little. Recently I’ve decided there are elements that don’t work well, especially when you’re travelling long haul. I am over searching for a key lock-box surrounded by many other key lock-boxes, all padlocked to a random fence, or dealing with owners letting apartments short-term in buildings that ban the arrangement. And there is nothing worse than arriving in the dark, searching for light switches and wading through a folder for the Wi-Fi code. Friends recently recounted arriving in London after 30 hour’s flight travel. The vacation apartment owner inadvertently failed to email the security code. They sat on their suitcases in the street for over two hours sorting the problem. Thank goodness it was daytime. In a News.com.au article Michael Johnson, interim CEO of the Accommodation Association of Australia, says, “[Travellers] are saying, let’s stay in a hotel where we don’t have to worry about anything, it gets taken care of”. Like Johnson I have decided that after a long haul flight I want to see a friendly face at a 24 hour reception. After a recent 21 hour journey with a 1am check in, I so appreciated how easy it was. Even if my intention is to stay at an Airbnb, I’ll book a hotel for one night to brace myself for the inevitable ‘journey of discovery’ that Airbnbs tend to be. Comments are closed.
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