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 attractive properties, however by no means actually thought-about staying. The primary purpose is that my hubby and I’ve had lengthy company careers with numerous enterprise journey and lodge factors. Within the a long time we’ve been collectively we’ve had so many Starwood nights free of charge it could make your eyes roll!
However life is totally different now. We took an 18-month sabbatical (and subsequently no enterprise journey) within the RV. Mr. Misadventures is 100% out of company life and dealing in pictures (how fortunate he’s!) and I’ve given up my company government path for a extra fulfilling function as a program supervisor. I don’t handle individuals or a price range, however relatively a program and there isn’t lots of journey concerned, though in lower than a yr’s time I’ve been again to San Francisco, to Barcelona, and to Orlando!
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We used the final of our treasured Starwood factors in Paris in December the week between Christmas and New Yr’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 distinct sort of lodging the place we are able to cook dinner or picnic they manner we wish, and with house for me to work. Thus we turned to Airbnb.
We additionally determined to share an residence for the primary time as effectively. We had stored up and strengthened a relationship with RVing pals that we had met on the highway and received together with. Over our many outings and dinners, we had spoken about our love for Paris they usually had shared a need to go to with us, so we determined why not share the price of an residence.
And away we went!
So our first Airbnb expertise turned 3. Upon getting back from Paris we had 2 fast journeys and determined to proceed experimenting with the sort of lodging. So that you get a tripleheader of my ideas on renting an Airbnb.
Paris Condo 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 little thing can be okay!
For our 2-week journey to Paris, we rented this 2-bedroom condominium within the third arrondissement. The situation was elegant. Half a block away from a Monop grocery retailer. Half a block from a superb bakery. Near the metro and eating places and markets. We actually couldn’t have requested for a greater location. It is vital when choosing 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 flats/condos. Make certain you rigorously evaluation the variety of rooms and research the photographs.
We had a 2-bedroom to 2-bathroom condominium with a kitchen, eating room and salon. Quite a bit by Paris requirements. After all, only one of the two bedrooms was a “grasp” bed room, so bear in mind in case you are renting with pals, take into consideration how you’ll divvy them up, somebody goes to get the brief finish of the stick. On this explicit journey, it was Mr. Misadventures and I. No huge deal in that the mattress was tremendous snug and we had our personal rest room. Our room was simply fairly small, however we completely made do.
The one annoying factor was that our rest room 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 nighttime, which wasn’t so dangerous. Our bathe was a stand-up enclosed bathe. The bathe head was connected to its stand with dental floss, not notably cool, nevertheless it functioned with good water stress. It was additionally darkish over the sink. I didn’t suppose it was such an enormous deal. That’s till I began placing collectively photographs for posts and I spotted how darkish my make-up is! I put on mild make-up and I assume I couldn’t get a superb gage of my make-up as a result of all I see within the photographs is how orange my face appears! Make-up misadventures!
There was fantastic pure mild within the afternoon which was good. I used to be free within the mornings to take pleasure in Paris and began work at 1 pm. I labored on the eating desk having fun with the spring climate and pure mild. 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 received our train being on the 4th ground (which is absolutely 5 flooring as stage 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 condominium was a breeze. The whole lot was very handy to entry.
Communication with our host previous to our journey was sluggish, however we received the knowledge 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 in addition to the lights within the rest room was the kitchen. It was small, which isn’t sudden in Paris, nevertheless, it wasn’t very effectively furnished. Actually, the toilet wasn’t both. I wouldn’t comment on that aside from the truth that the hosts marketed the residence as having “ALL IS PROVIDED LIKE IN FOUR STARS HOTEL.” In actuality that meant a single roll of bathroom paper in every rest room and a pair of bottles of shampoo/bathe gel that seemed like they have been taken from a lodge. There have been no paper towels (I’d have anticipated a minimum of one roll), no salt and pepper, or sponge. There was one pot and one pan. We purchased all of these objects plus dishwasher cleaning soap, a pot, a pan, olive oil, vinegar, and a salad mixer.
Actually, I didn’t count on 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 keep in mind that version as a result of I used to be intrigued by an article written by Mark Bittman titled, “ Cook dinner in Different Individuals’s Kitchens.”
In it, he talks about what he at all times brings with him to cook dinner – instruments, spices, and so on. It caught with me. If you find yourself touring internationally you’ll be able to’t actually convey a complete 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 getting 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 submit coming!). On condition that I’d be working remotely, that I would want to feed myself for 3 days with out a automotive, we determined staying in an Airbnb can be one of the best resolution.
And it was. We rented this beautiful duplex in Cathedral Valley. From a design perspective, we liked the aesthetics, the minimalist decor, and the thoughtfully chosen furnishings that not solely seemed good however felt nice, together with being tremendous practical. Each little element was taken into consideration. Our host was variety, considerate and a really attention-grabbing 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 test out and in course of was very simple. No matter misgivings I had in regards to the generosity of our hosts in Paris was 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 mentioned about having your personal autonomy, which is why I at all times filter on “total place” within the House Sort. I’m not the type of individual to share a room, (and didn’t actually love sharing the condominium in Paris) so the farther away from the proprietor/host the higher in my guide!
Total, our expertise in Palm Springs was distinctive.
Casita/Guesthouse in Tucson
Our authentic plan was to go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for Memorial Day weekend, however frankly, we began planning too late. Then we simply type of dropped the ball whereas we went to Paris and Palm Springs. So we determined manner final minute to go again to Tucson and use it as a house base to go to among the extra distant areas of Southern Arizona. We knew we’d 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 seek out at first, however a fast cellphone name to our host received us straightened out. It was our first expertise with the “Self-check-in” function and I liked it. The hosts have a code-based entry system to the home and it was superior. So was the home, a completely lovable little studio that was utterly charming and really Southwestern when it comes to theme and aesthetic.
Like in Palm Springs, our hosts had considered every little thing 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 straightforward to make use of, and the house theatre and wifi gear have been top-notch.
The one downside was that completely every little thing was uncomfortable! It seemed good, however nothing was pleasurable. Not the kitchen chairs for the island, the couch or chair within the residing space, and particularly not the mattress. In actuality, aside from the mattress, we weren’t there lots, however it could have been good after we have been there to have an pleasurable place to take a seat to eat and chill out.
Last Ideas
I’m bought on Airbnb! After 3 stays I’m higher armed to make my future stays extra pleasurable. For the kind of touring and meals way of life that Mr. Misdaventures and I like, that is the proper association for us. Like anything, it isn’t good, it’s received its execs and cons, however we are actually followers.
We’re placing collectively an “Airbnb-kit” that we are going to convey with us if we’re staying in a spot we drive to. And an inventory of things to purchase if we’re touring to a location. One factor I had to purchase in all 3 areas was a sponge. 2 locations didn’t have one, and the third I simply most popular 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 some time and have nice reputations.
