I work nomadically and have been renting AirBNB's for some time in South America and find them very woefully lacking. I am wondering if it is these countries. There seems to be a theme in each country. I don't think anyone would rent an entire apartment to someone asking for all the kitchen essential for a long term stay without these things. What do you think?
- Can opener is a knife as those used for sea-rashions and not something I could use after watching a youtube and trying for 30 minutes. It even took a local friend 20 minutes to open a can for me.
- Lack of kitchen knives for cutting meat while cook OR for eating.
- The current place has tiny baby sized spoons, short with a tiny spoon...smaller than a table spoon.
- No oven in a one-bedroom apartment.
Many others don't have refrigerators and I always check about the size. I find this cheap and just won't rent from them. One didn't have a microwave and I managed and rented despite knowing this. I am actually much better without one after trying it. The oven seems unacceptable to me know that I got into using it more without having a microwave.
I recommend that hosts provide double the towels required and extra blankets. To do otherwise just make you look cheap. To provide them makes you look like a super host. What does it cost you really? Any hotel or B&B will provide upon request.
Another finding is that some towels come stiff as though they were line dried or with soap on them. I hav e never seen this in my life until coming hear. Very bad. Who wants a stiff towel? Fortunately, I actually travel with my own towel.
The other thing that every good host has is extra electric surge protecotrs for several devices with international plugs, or several convertors. These are cheap and I actually own a few of my own. When that is still not enough because the house is poorly equipped with outlets I find it very frustrating. What am I supposed to care several of these?
I LOVE the hosts who leave cold bottle of water, even in a glass vase, in the fridge. I am always thirsty upon arrival. A few nice things like pens, candies, crackers, tea, coffee, go a long way to making me want to give you a wonderful rating.
I have had good and many more bad experiences. The worst the night before my departure all my laundry was stuck in the wash for over a week. ALL my laundry. The host got a rave review and no mention of this, because she was sweet and wonderful and always concerned. She left nice notes for the arrival.
Oh the last indisipinsilbe is a book about the home (Wi-Fi, where do I take the trash, wherein the building can I was my clothes, etc.). If you want me to clean provide some basic cleaning supplies and trash bags. Do you expect people to travel with these things? Apparently in my current country at least two hosts do. One told me it isn't their responsibility.
Lastly, provide two sets of keys. If there is more than one person they are handy, and it is even if there isn't It is cheap. Again, I was told by one host "What if I rent to 12 people should I provide 12 keys?" No, but two is not unreasonable for two people renting an apartment. I rented for two and hired a housekeeper, which meant that the property was being kept extra clean and getting deep cleaned the day before my departure. For $1 USD what's the skin off your back.
Am I a bad guest? Apparently, some think I am. They host with an ant infestation from the moment I arrived made me out to be a bad guest despite his made telling me it had been an issue in the apartment for years.
I hope most hosts are better than I have experienced. I am at the end of my rope with AirBNB at least in South America.