In 6 weeks’ time, Mr. Misadventures and I went from having stayed 0 nights in an Airbnb to 19 nights! I’ve had an account for fairly some time and have visited the location to drool over many beautiful properties, however by no means actually thought-about staying.
The primary cause is that my hubby and I’ve had lengthy company careers with a number of enterprise journey and resort factors. Within the a long time we’ve been collectively we’ve got had so many Starwood nights without cost that it will make your eyes roll!
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However life is totally different now. We took an 18-month sabbatical (and due to this fact no enterprise journey) within the RV. Mr. Misadventures is 100% out of company life and dealing in images (how fortunate he’s!) and I’ve given up my company govt path for a extra fulfilling function as a program supervisor.
I don’t handle individuals or a funds, however moderately a program and there isn’t plenty of journey concerned, despite the fact that in lower than a yr’s time I’ve been again to San Francisco, to Barcelona, and to Orlando!
We used the final of our treasured Starwood factors in Paris in December the week between Christmas and New 12 months’s and it seems, we’re type of over it. With our low-carb way of life, our dynamic journey way of life, and the truth that as a distant contractor I’ve zero trip time and when potential must work whereas we’re touring, have formed a necessity for a special sort of lodging the place we are able to prepare dinner or picnic they method we would like, and with house for me to work. Thus we turned to Airbnb.
We additionally determined to share an condo for the primary time as effectively. We had saved up and strengthened a relationship with RVing mates that we had met on the street and bought together with. Over our many outings and dinners, we had spoken about our love for Paris and so they had shared a want to go to with us, so we determined why not share the price of an condo.
And away we went!
So our first Airbnb expertise grew to become 3. Upon coming back from Paris we had 2 fast journeys and determined to proceed experimenting with this sort of lodging. So that you get a tripleheader of my ideas on renting an Airbnb.
Paris Condominium within the Marais
Go huge or go residence proper? Paris notoriously is dangerous for Airbnb. I’ve learn so many horror tales on-line and in Fb teams in addition to seen reporting on the French information. However I research all of the critiques for all of the properties we thought-about and determined to wish to the gods that every part could be okay!
For our 2-week journey to Paris, we rented this 2-bedroom apartment within the third arrondissement. The placement was elegant. Half a block away from a Monop grocery retailer. Half a block from an excellent bakery. Near the metro and eating places and markets. We actually couldn’t have requested for a greater location.
It is necessary when deciding on a spot to remain that you’re close to a metro, so take that into consideration in case you are planning to remain in an Airbnb (or different rental property) in Paris. Additionally, having lived in France I’m accustomed to French residences/condos. Be certain you fastidiously assessment the variety of rooms and research the images.
We had a 2-bedroom to 2-bathroom apartment with a kitchen, eating room, and salon. Rather a lot by Paris requirements. In fact, only one of the two bedrooms was a “grasp” bed room, so bear in mind in case you are renting with mates, take into consideration how you will divvy them up, somebody goes to get the quick finish of the stick.
On this specific journey, it was Mr. Misadventures and I. No huge deal in that the mattress was tremendous comfy and we had our personal toilet. Our room was simply fairly small, however we completely made do.
The one annoying factor was that our toilet was very darkish. There have been 3 lights, however the just one that was functioning was the one over the bathroom. We took a bathe at the hours of darkness, which wasn’t so dangerous. Our bathe was a stand-up enclosed bathe.
The bathe head was hooked up to its stand with dental floss, not significantly cool, however it functioned with good water strain. It was additionally darkish over the sink. I didn’t assume it was such a giant deal. That’s till I began placing collectively images for posts and I noticed how darkish my make-up is! I put on gentle make-up and I assume I couldn’t get an excellent gauge of my make-up as a result of all I see within the images is how orange my face seems! Make-up misadventures!
There was great pure gentle within the afternoon which was good. I used to be free within the mornings to get pleasure from Paris and began work at 1 pm. I labored on the eating desk having fun with the spring climate and pure gentle. Wifi was good and I had just one event that the web was down for about 5 minutes. In a 2-week interval, that’s fairly darn good!
We bought our train being on the 4th ground (which is actually 5 flooring as degree 1 is 0 in France) as there was no elevator (we knew that on the time of renting), however apart from that coming and going into the apartment was a breeze. Every little thing was very handy to entry.
Communication with our host previous to our journey was gradual, however we bought the data we would have liked forward of time. The check-in and check-out processes have been simple because the concierge for the constructing we have been staying in was our liaison.
My solely different grievance apart from the lights within the toilet was the kitchen. It was small, which isn’t sudden in Paris, nevertheless, it wasn’t very effectively furnished. Actually, the lavatory wasn’t both. I wouldn’t comment on that aside from the truth that the hosts marketed the condo as having “ALL IS PROVIDED LIKE IN FOUR STARS HOTEL.”
In actuality that meant a single roll of bathroom paper in every toilet and a couple of bottles of shampoo/bathe gel that regarded like they have been taken from a resort. There have been no paper towels (I might have anticipated a minimum of one roll), no salt and pepper, or a sponge. There was one pot and one pan. We purchased all of these gadgets plus dishwasher cleaning soap, a pot, a pan, olive oil, vinegar, and a salad mixer.
Actually, I didn’t anticipate a lot of the kitchen. I bear in mind sitting within the airport in Indianapolis final June after having spent the weekend at BlogHouse with the primary version of the Airbnb journal. I’ll at all times do not forget that version as a result of I used to be intrigued by an article written by Mark Bittman titled, “ Prepare dinner in Different Individuals’s Kitchens.”
In it, he talks about what he at all times brings with him to prepare dinner – instruments, spices, and many others. It caught with me. When you find yourself touring internationally you’ll be able to’t actually deliver an entire bunch with you, however domestically there is a chance. This brings us to Airbnb #2.
Duplex in Cathedral Valley (Palm Springs)
The next weekend after coming back from Paris we discovered ourselves heading to Palm Springs. Mr. Misadventures was registered for a workshop Monday – Wednesday, and I used to be going to work. We went the weekend forward to do some exploring (weblog publish coming!). On condition that I might be working remotely, and that I would want to feed myself for 3 days and not using a automotive, we determined staying in an Airbnb could be one of the best resolution.
And it was. We rented this beautiful duplex in Cathedral Valley. From a design perspective, we cherished the aesthetics, the minimalist decor, and the thoughtfully chosen furnishings that not solely regarded good however felt nice, together with being tremendous purposeful. Each little element was taken under consideration. Our host was type, considerate and a really fascinating individual (a sculptor who had lived in Italy)!
The home was larger than we would have liked, however the worth was proper so we went with it. We have been up on the hillside and had a stunning view of the valley, it was very quiet which was nice for work and the check-in and out course of was very simple. No matter misgivings I had in regards to the generosity of our hosts in Paris have been lengthy forgotten after staying right here. Our host even upgraded her wifi in order that I wouldn’t have any points whereas working remotely!
The one factor that I didn’t like, and it’s my hang-up, I’m certain not anybody else’s is that we have been in a duplex. The opposite half is the host’s residence. I do know our hosts didn’t take note of our comings and goings and I actually didn’t take note of hers, however there’s something to be stated about having your personal autonomy, which is why I at all times filter on “whole place” within the House Kind. I’m not the type of individual to share a room, (and didn’t actually love sharing the apartment in Paris) so the farther away from the proprietor/host the higher in my ebook!
Total, our expertise in Palm Springs was distinctive.
Casita/Guesthouse in Tucson
Our authentic plan was to move to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for Memorial Day weekend, however frankly, we began planning too late. Then we simply form of dropped the ball whereas we went to Paris and Palm Springs. So we determined method final minute to move again to Tucson and use it as a house base to go to among the extra distant areas of Southern Arizona.
We knew we might be packing meals so we needed lodging with a kitchen so we headed again to Airbnb with the hopes that we might nonetheless discover one thing given the vacation weekend. We lucked out and rented this casita, a straw bale home in Tucson.
The home had its personal entrance in a again alley, it was a bit complicated to search out at first, however a fast telephone name to our host bought us straightened out. It was our first expertise with the “Self-check-in” function and I cherished it. The hosts have a code-based entry system to the home and it was superior. So was the home, a completely lovely little studio that was utterly charming and really Southwestern by way of theme and aesthetic.
Like in Palm Springs, our hosts had considered every part and there have been loads of facilities, native guides, magazines, books, and even a basketful of treats – it was beautiful! The backyard round the home was stunning. The air-conditioning (bear in mind we’re speaking Tucson) was highly effective and simple to make use of, and the house theatre and wifi gear have been top-notch.
The one downside was that completely every part was uncomfortable! It regarded good, however nothing was fulfilling. Not the kitchen chairs for the island, the couch or chair within the dwelling space, and particularly not the mattress. In actuality, aside from the mattress, we weren’t there quite a bit, however it will have been good if we have been there to have an fulfilling place to take a seat, eat and calm down.
Last Ideas
I’m offered on Airbnb! After 3 stays I’m higher armed to make my future stays extra fulfilling. For the kind of touring and meals way of life that Mr. Misdaventures and I like, that is the right association for us. Like anything, it isn’t good, it’s bought its professionals and cons, however we at the moment are followers.
We’re placing collectively an “Airbnb-kit” that we are going to deliver with us if we’re staying in a spot we drive to. And a listing of things to purchase if we’re touring to a location. One factor I had to purchase in all 3 places was a sponge. 2 locations didn’t have one, and the third I simply most well-liked to make use of a brand new one.
I’ll search for Self-check-in locations (though it received’t preclude me from staying in one which isn’t) and I’ll prioritize Tremendous Hosts as effectively as a result of they’ve been doing the internet hosting factor for some time and have nice reputations.