Airbnb – “Belong Anywhere”
I have heard of Airbnb many times, but I never managed to book anything online with them. Great reviews and opinions from my friends, colleagues and fellow travel bloggers made me want to book an apartment for my New Year’s trip to Antwerp, Belgium.
For those who are not familiar with Airbnb, it is a website for people to rent out lodging. Founded in August 2008, it has over 800,000 listings in 33,000 cities and 192 countries. How does it work? It is very simple. Users of the site must register and create a personal online profile before using the site. Every property is associated with a host whose profile includes recommendations by other users, reviews by previous guests, as well as a response rating and private messaging system. You can easily log in using your Facebook account as I did.
My Airbnb Experience
Although it was my first time with Airbnb, I was not lucky at all. 2 of my requests have been cancelled/rejected for various reasons within 24 hours after I made a reservation. One host rented out his apartment to someone else, one was not in Antwerp during my stay. I received the payments back to my account immediately so I cannot complain about that. Finally, me and my boyfriend found a lovely place with Be-Housing – a company specializing in offering tailor-made temporary housing facilities to their customers. We booked it immediately and then the problems started…
Hidden costs and unfriendly staff
Our stay with Be-Housing was not as pleasant as expected. First of all, after booking our accommodation, we received an e-mail where Be-Housing has decided to change the price from 108+12 (citytax) euro to nearly 200 Euro.
After declining this unexpected alter, we were allowed to stay in Antwerp for the price primarily agreed on (130 Euro). A day after, we received another e-mail where we were asked to pay additional tax fee of 12 Euro, which was already paid in full. Upon asking clarification about this additional 12 Euro we already paid, we received more or less the same email as the first one telling us to pay. Because we didn’t feel like making a big deal about 12 Euro we decided to pay it anyway.
One think that struck us as odd was the long list of extras you had to pay for. Things like parking aren’t that weird but having to pay extra to check in earlier than 4pm(!) o’clock and having to pay to use more than 400 mb/day of their incredibly slow wifi.
The receptionist treated us with a slight constant passive aggressiveness, as if he wasn’t happy to be there. For instance when asking him whether the store would be open on 1st of January he replied with: “No it’s a holiday so ever things closed… just like in Holland.”(Not true by the way).
All in all the apartment was nice so was its location, but the facilities and customer service left much to be desired. We loved our time in Antwerpen and will surely come back, but when we do we’ll avoid Be-Housing and so should you.
What was your experience with Airbnb/Be-Housing?
76 thoughts on “My Disappointing Experience With Airbnb (Be-Housing) In Antwerp”
I’m sorry, that’s pretty lame. I used to hear really good things about BnB but it seems like its changed a lot lately. I hate hidden fees
Yeah, but I hope to have a better experience next time!
Really sorry to hear of these bad experiences Agness. Changing prices and cancelling bookings comes across as really unprofessional and would certainly put people off.
I’ve never tried Air B’n’B but it is something I’ve been considering. I hope that you can give it another try with a much more positive experience. From what I’ve read in the past I have the impression that this kind of experience is not too common.
Yes, I know :(…
Ohhh I’m looking at using AirBNB soon – for a trip to Dubai. I hope it doesn’t turn out like this :/
I hope so. Fingers crosses, Tim!
This is such an unlucky experience. I’m so sorry for your unpleasant moments during the holidays.
I know Airbnb should have set strict rule for the accommodation not to play up, but I’ve got so many similar issues with hotels in our country. Particularly, at this time of the year, when we book hotels for the international travelers to visit Iran in April, May, etc. Many of them haven’t yet announced their new rates yet. I said “new rates” as they increase their rates every year, by ??? percent. We don’t even know how much!! Imagine we are booking for October, November of 2015 since 3 months ago. Then, one would say WIFI isn’t free anymore. Another wouldn’t say anything, but increases laundry fee. Eventually, when you want to check out, they come up with some false claims like, “Sorry sir, but you’ve forgotten to pay for the minibar! You’ve taken a bar of chocolate, …”
This is one of the terrible ways many low-class hotels and even high end ones will do. If a website like Airbnb faces several of the hotels behaving that way, it must discontinue its contract with them. Would they do that? I would have done that, but maybe they prefer to have as many accommodations as possible in their lists.
I definitely hope for better experience for you next time.
Thanks for sharing, Rahman!
Wow, so sorry to hear about your bad experience. I’ve used Airbnb many times and I’ve never gotten an email like that trying to change the terms or tack on hidden fees. I have to say my experience has varied – some hosts have been absolutely super and have picked us up from the airport or train station and have been super welcoming. Others have just handed off keys at the train station and left, and once in Krakow I never met the owner – the keys were left with the front desk building security who didn’t speak English (but it worked out!). I do like having the space of an apt over a hotel room and it definitely has saved me money. But I only stay at places with a few reviews, the more the better. There definitely is a wide range of experiences to be had on airbnb.
Thanks Sara for sharing and understanding :*
The problem I see with Airbnb is the bigger it is, the more away from its initial concept is becoming. I fear that it will be just another accomodation website, which was not what they intended!!
I feel sorry for your experience, hope Antwerp made up for this situation!
Happy travels!
I agree. Maybe next time it’s gonna be better.
So sorry to hear you had to go through all that! Now I am worried, I will book soon two apartments for an upcoming trip and I hope things will go smoothly.
Thanks, Vlad. I hope the same! :)
I am so sorry that the accommodation part of your New Year’s trip was a disappointment, Agness, but I am glad that you enjoyed your time in Antwerp nevertheless. I have never used Airbnb yet and after reading your review it doesn’t seem to be recommendable. I hate hidden costs. Referring to this my boyfriend and I recently made a similar experience with our flight from Bangkok to Hanoi. First we had to pay relatively high fees for every payment method the Flight shops offered. And when checking in at Bangkok airport we were informed that there were zero kilograms of check-in luggage included in our ticket price and that we had to extra for this as well. In the end a relatively cheap flight was a lot more expensive than the flight shop which initially was most expensive. But nonetheless we highly enjoyed our journey to Bangkok and through Vietnam.
Thank you, sweetheart!! :*
Do not use them before but thanks for sharing your experience :-)
I haven’t used the website but I will be more cautious now, if I need to. I absolutely detest it when someone pops up with hidden costs at a later point. It’s too much like blackmail.
Agree!
I’m so sorry to hear about the awful experience that you had in Antwerp. I haven’t used it myself but I’ve heard good things about Airbnb. Give them another try and if it still doesn’t work out, at least you tried.
P.S. We actually missed each other as I was in Amsterdam when you were in Antwerp. ‘Hope to see you sometime in the blogsphere!
Awwwwww I’m so unfortunate not to see you. Perhaps next time, Victoria!!! :*
‘Hope so! This year we’ll make it. Are you going to TBEX in Spain?
It is unforunate.I understand your feelings.But my experience in Hongkong with them is excellent.May be it all depends on the host.Infact I extended my stay cutting short my Macau trip by 4 days.The connectivity was excellent as you know that public transport is dam cheaper in Hongkong.There are plenty of places in Hongkong worth spending full day.See my blog tobeontheroad.blogspot.com.Affordability and lovable host are the main creiteria for Backpackers like me who spend longtime in a place.
I’m so glad to hear that! :)
Sorry to hear about your crap experience with those organisations – especially being your first time too! Hopefully the next one will be more pleasant =)
Maybe the next time will be much better!!
Sorry about your experience. Nothing annoys me than hidden costs that have no basis. I do hope that Be Housing read your post and amend their policies.
Yeah, it’s very annoying especially when you are a budget traveler.
hi Agness,
sorry to hear about your bad experience with airbnb, and it was your first,too. My experiences being an Airbnb guest as well as a host have all been good, and I actually like the system, so I hope these disappointing practices won’t grow. I noticed your story from the tweet from Firsta, and I hope you don’t mind that I mentioned it to Airbnb so they would notice these annoying services of the hosts and would do something about it.
But I hope you don’t give up on Airbnb because there are actually a lot of great hosts and places to stay through the service :)
I’m so glad Vira you had such a good experience with Airbnb! Keep it up!
I’ve used AirBNB in the past and had fairly good experiences. I can relate to what you say about silly charges though. One place charged for linen and towels but the linen weren’t on the beds and we had to go looking for them before we could put them on the beds. The same place charged if you wanted more than the half roll of toilet paper they stocked, didn’t have tea and coffee but had the containers and a bunch of other odd things.
I guess it’s cheaper for a reason and sometimes hospitality professionals are a better option.
I’m glad you had a good experience unlike me! :)
Agnes, so sorry to hear about your experience. AirBnB was a mixed bag for us, but to be fair, most of it was good. That said, it’s no longer what this community used to be. Hidden costs, and so many other glitches… It’s terrible when your travelling experience gets sour because of something like this. What a pity!
That’s too bad that you had a bad experience with AirBnB. I’ve only had good experiences with them.
I’ve used them 4 times and had a wonderful experience every time. I met two wonderful, inspiring people living near the Mount Baker ski area in Washington who even sent me a Christmas card! Had a cheap, perfectly located apartment in Montreal for way less than a hotel. Spent a week in a home in Austin, Texas that again was cheaper than a hotel and a nice retreat after long days at the festival. Even recently, I injured myself badly and wasn’t able to travel to Aspen for a ski trip. Since the person renting their studio had a “strict” policy, he only refunded me half. I contacted AirBnB and explained my situation and was refunded the rest. I for one, will continue to use AirBNB and recommend it to other travellers.
I’m glad you had a great experience with Airbnb. I recently went to Paris and I also had a lot of fun there!
Dear Agness, I am very sorry to hear that you have such a bad experience with this Aibnb in Antwerp.Looking at your images you also ended up @ a horrible place ( although you say it was nice;).. there are so many much , much nicer places to stay in Antwerp for better prices and in the best locations.
For Airbnb, its always good to do some research and talk to the owners beforehand. I have sometimes lengthy email correspondence prior to accept bookings, just so we both know there is a match. I like to help guest find the right location for there budget and there plans. Antwerp is such a nice city and I hate to hear people have a bad time ;) So I take guest on private tours give them insider tips where to eat shop or hang out and most of all give them a memorable (positive in this case) experience.
So its always good to read the comments of previous guest as well… and hidden costs? All cost should be clear when you book if they add cost after your booking this is a red flag right away.. cancel i would advise..
Instead I offer (complimentary) hidden treats which I don’t post to add a to a fantastic experience, Belgian beers in the fridge, filter coffee, nespresso, fresh fruit water tea, first class linnen and bedding etc, etc.. And there are so many Airbnb that provide such good service…so do some research and I am sure you will have the best time in a Airbnb.. and whenever you plan to come to Antwerp again.. reach out and I am more than happy to help you plan your trip to have a fantastic time.( @ no cost and no hidden secrets° I just like it when people have a great time in this great city!
Hi Martin,
Many thanks for kind words and explanation. I will keep your tips in mind when going for AirBnB in the near future.