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[[WanderWen 06]] Accommodation – Airbnb

wen48:

I had previously written a piece comparing the different accommodation choices available when you travel to Japan here. This also led to some of you dropping me asks with Airbnb links to check for you if they are good, and also answering some accommodation questions. After my recent trip, I’ve decided to write an in-depth piece regarding Airbnb.

There are many who opt for this accommodation choice as opposed to the traditional pick of hotels and it’s easily understandable why. The prices offered are much more attractive, and you do have a wider choice of locations available for booking when it comes to planning your trip.

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If you are a solo traveller, you can easily get an entire house for $50, or a private room at $20 a night. Equipped with a kitchen and everything that you might need on your trip, it is also highly possible that a portable wifi comes along with that price, saving you $5 on average a day for wifi rental.

You might never find that there is a need for the kitchen, especially when you are out most of the time. However, it comes in handy when you want to heat up food for supper or cook the ramen that you have gotten from the 7-11 downstairs. Airbnb listings with a washing machine are my bae. While laundry costs money when you are staying at the hotel, you can wash all the clothes you want while you are staying in an Airbnb house. It lessens the clothes you have to bring on your trip, saving that weight for more Japanese souvenirs.

Of course, these benefits come with extra charges such as airbnb fees, cleaning fees or even security deposit. But hey, hotels come with 8% tax and 10% service charges too. However, it is noted that we often overlook this thing call the security deposit, which essentially is Airbnb keeping your payment details and when the host makes a claim for it, you are notified and charges follow thereafter. Hosts can make a claim for something as small as you losing the key or when they discover damaged properties.

This came into the picture for me in my recent trip when one of the bed legs was damaged upon my check in. The bed was standing somewhat okay, but a check revealed the leg nearer the wall was damaged. Immediately, I contacted the host via LINE with photos for documentation, time stamp and all. It is to protect me, in case a security deposit is claimed against me. I am thankful to say that it ended well.

However, a friend wasn’t that lucky.

He stayed at an Airbnb Tokyo listing earlier last year, and after his check out, was handed a $1000 claim for ‘damages’. The host gave photos to Airbnb showing that the marble floor leading to the bedroom was scratched, indicating that my friend had dragged his luggage across the floor. But really, how else can you transport the heavy luggage? My friend was certain that he did not make that scratch but he didn’t have photo proof. The host further claimed that they messed up the floor near the sofa, showing scratches on the area behind the sofa, right at the wall area. It was not a spot that people will notice, and that you’ve to physically lift the sofa before you can check out that spot. It was far fetch that owners will even do so to check damages, and we have all the doubts in the world that the owner probably already knew about this, but heap them all onto my friend. Mediations went for months and my friend did end up paying for damages that he swore on his life that he didn’t create, albeit it was lesser than a grand.

It was thanks to him that I started being careful with Airbnb stays, checking out possible damages before and taking photos of everything possible, just in case.

You should also take note the check in and check out times for Airbnb, especially when you land early into Japan or have a late flight out. Airbnb listings are unlike hotels where you can drop your luggage at the place before the check in time, or keep your luggage with them after check out. It can be a hassle to find large lockers to keep your belongings, especially if you are carrying the 29” ones. Honestly speaking, I will book an extra day if my flight is after 6PM, just because I don’t want to check out at 10AM, and can still keep my luggage at home. Plus, it is possible to get a quick shower before the long flight home, if it is within your budget.

It is also important to check if the building that you are staying in has elevators. Older buildings in Japan (some goes up to six floors) do not have elevators. The last thing you want to do at the end of your trip is to carry a 25KG luggage down six storeys. Trust me, even three floors are tiring after a whole day of sightseeing.

The Instant Booking feature of Airbnb is great for grabbing steals when you are looking at possible accommodation, but I am more of a fan of messaging the hosts and checking out the details before booking. I’ve lost good deals along the way, ask my friends and they will tell you, but I want to make sure I’ve what I need in the house before committing.

So here’s to hoping you find a suitable Airbnb listing and have a great Japan trip!

dreamadove:

I want to be politically informed and educated but I also wanna have a good day and be in a good mood. Do you see my problem?

(via lotrlocked)

bakrua:

loldodgers:

What if Mike was short for Micycle

every now and then theres a text post that gets stuck in my damn head. here it is. im never going to be free of micycle

(via cage-or-the-bird)