Airbnb killing "real" B & B's

[iris lilies]

Our friends who run a Bed and Breakfast Inn gave us an earful about how the amateur Inn hosts, the AirBnb guys, are cutting into their business 30%. Of course those amateurs pay no tax. Our friends have expensive real estate taxes pluses business fees.

The amateurs pay nada.

Our friends are talking about shutting down business.

[sweetana3]

I used to use BandBs. We have simply stopped traveling that way. Dont do Airbandb because of "amateurs". Although we did look into a home rental in Oakland. We never got any "deal" on BandBs but were staying in one for the personal attention and quality. They were expensive and we expected a lot for the money.

It could be a convenient excuse for the total change in the economy, poor innkeeping, locale changes, etc. It can also be a good reason if AirBnb is well established in an expensive city. The hotels in NYC are complaining. People who are looking for BandBs are often looking for history and a well maintained property not for low cost.

[pinkytoe]

We have quite a few Homeaways in our hood. Investors swoop in, buy a bungalow and convert it to a short-term rental. About a year ago, the city began to require that they purchase an annual permit and charge room taxes. SXSW starts today and literally every room of every kind is booked. I have friends who leave town, rent their large downtown house out and make enough money to pay their annual property tax. I am tempted but don't lke the idea of strangers in my house. Like so many other things, what we have known all along is changing before our eyes. Cab drivers upset about uber and lyft is another example. It is very generational. Visitors who stay at the few B & Bs left here are mostly senior age. It's an interesting time.

[Tussiemussies]

Never hesrd of airbnb...what is it??? And bandb???

[iris lilies]

Never hesrd of airbnb...what is it??? And bandb???

B and B means Bed and Breakfast Inn.

Airbnb is a website where homeowners sign up to have vacationers stay in their spare bedroom.

[Tussiemussies]

Thanks iris....

[kally]

I use Air B and B sometimes. But more often I use something called The Affordable Travel Club. It is a such a sweet deal.

[iris lilies]

I looked at AirBnb site to see what's available in my zip code. I see that some of the "real" or licensed B & B's are listing rooms there, but without breakfast. Still, their $155 or whatever is a whole lot more expensive than someone offering a spare bedroom and no other amenities for $55 per night.

I have to say that Airbnb is more like many of the B and B's I stayed in in the UK many years ago. Those experiences offered simple rooms, and yes, there was usually a breakfast, but that wasn't very important to me. Here in my neighborhood, American versions of the UK B & B, everything is bigger, grander, and of course, more expensive. Big rooms with large hot tubs, perfectly appointed Victorian houses, lovely and large landscaped grounds--that is all nice, but I DO like the simplicity of Airbnb concept--it's just a room.

[Yossarian]

it's just a room.

There is a lot of variety. We are travelling this summer with our family of 5. It's a pain to try and fit everyone in a couple of hotel rooms. For about the same price we are renting a 3 bedroom apartment. More bedrooms, a living room to spread out in and our own kitchen and washer/dryer etc. Much better way to stay for the week and there are plenty of dedicated rental apartments so you aren't really infringing on someone's personal living space.

[kib]

It seems to me the markets are pretty different. I will use a B&B when I want a nice pampering and personalized experience and a good breakfast, and I expect to pay for the privilege, usually it's well over $140. To me Airbnb is more like the Australian Home Stay - it's super cheap because you're just crashing in someone's back bedroom for the night. If I use abnb it's because I don't want An Experience, I want a place to sleep that's cheaper than a hotel and an improvement over my car. I have a feeling the horrifically priced B&B market had as much custom as it did because people who just wanted to crash couldn't find anything suitable.

Which is to say sorry, but I'm not going to start advocating that the gubmint step in collecting fees from people renting out their couches, to protect the hotel industry.

[ApatheticNoMore]

I could see myself going to a real BnB, in fact I've always wanted to (never have). But using air BnB? Uh why? Seems way less preferable than a motel. Staying in some random strangers house just seems really weird.

[sweetana3]

It really depends on the city. It can be an apartment in NYC which is hugely expensive and often impersonal in a hotel. Hubby likes to meet others so he is disappointed in BandBs where the owners or managers are not in evidence. We also like old houses so a BandB room in a historic home even if the owners live on site is just fine. We have done it in SF, St. Louis and many little towns across the US and in New England.

[bae]

I use AirBnB pretty frequently when travelling for classes - I just need a place to snooze, cheap.

[iris lilies]

It seems to me the markets are pretty different...

Yes, that's it.

Seldom would I be interested in the "pampering" of a full service B & B, but love staying in beautiful old houses in great old neighborhoods. I am indifferent to an elaborate breakfast. So probably I could find some AirBnB rooms that fit my bill. Now that I will be retired, I have to watch costs.

I suppose that if I could have a simple room-- and would not mind sharing a bathroom--in a great old house in a great neighborhood, that would be good enough for me.

Many years ago the high price and "pampering" concept really bugged me when American B & B's started up around here. I just couldn't grok paying so much to stay in places where there is no real privacy. Chatting with B & B owners is a chore. I like being anonymous. I don't want to eat a big breakfast with a room full of strangers. That was back then, but now I am more open to the concept.

But, in the real world--if I were really going to throw around money, I'd likely stay at small, interesting boutique hotels. There is still that shield of impersonality with hotels that I gravitate towards.

[iris lilies]

I could see myself going to a real BnB, in fact I've always wanted to (never have). But using air BnB? Uh why? Seems way less preferable than a motel. Staying in some random strangers house just seems really weird.

The rooms can be cheaper than a motel and may be better located. And it's entirely possible that the house is very cool. But you do give up privacy and autonomy because you are staying in someone's house.

[JaneV2.0]

...
...
Many years ago the high price and "pampering" concept really bugged me when American B & B's started up around here. I just couldn't grok paying so much to stay in places where there is no real privacy. Chatting with B & B owners is a chore. I like being anonymous. I don't want to eat a big breakfast with a room full of strangers. That was back then, but now I am more open to the concept. ...

Exactly why I prefer hotels.

[Tammy]

It is more stressful for me to stay in someone's house than to just not take a vacation.

Perhaps I'm more introverted than I think I am ...

[pinkytoe]

A recent co-worker in her 20s used to rent out the second bedroom of her rented apartment on AirBnB. The stories she had about some of her guests made me very nervous for her safety. We once rented a house in CO Springs for a week. It is a nice way to get the feel of a place that one can't get in a hotel.

[Float On]

I've rented room via airBnB and rented entire houses. I've been looking at houses again since one son and I are headed to NM.

Today I'm messaging from a little cottage in Beaufort, SC. It was listed on airBnB at one time but has gone more private contact.

[Gardenarian]

This is a huge issue in Ashland, with a detective assigned to find those underground AirBnB'ers.

People are concerned that too many vacation rentals will destroy the character of the residential areas. I disagree, but I have lived here such a shory time that I'm not getting involved.

I do think Airbnb hosts should pay taxes on the income (and most do.) In Ashland you have to meet very strict zoning regulations, get a business license, have regular inspections, pay a business tax AND a 17.5% hotel tax. No wonder people try to go under the radar!