<p>I am planning a trip to NYC in September and the hotel rates are very expensive then. The friend I am meeting up with has suggested that we look into Airbnb. We are considering doing this if a place has good reviews. We are both familiar enough with the city to select a decent neighborhood.</p>
<p>So, has anyone here done this? I would like to hear about your experience.</p>
<p>I may be totally out of touch, but I do not know what Airbnb is. Please educate me.</p>
<p>I am curious as well; I never heard of this… :(</p>
<p>Did a quick google. Looks like you can rent out your bedroom by the night–kind of like a vacation rental of your house.</p>
<p>I had never heard of this until my friend mentioned it. S had heard of it. I have a number of qualms about this which is why I’m asking.</p>
<p>Guests check in, but they don’t check out, FG?</p>
<p>^
That’s crossed my mind!</p>
<p>My son now tells me that it says somewhere on line that it is illegal. </p>
<p>Looks like we may just pay for that expensive hotel.</p>
<p>Have you considered the Pod Hotel? [New</a> York City Discount Hotels: Pod Hotel Manhattan NYC budget vacations cheap hotels rooms getaway packages deals radio city music hall.](<a href=“http://www.thepodhotel.com/yourpod.html]New”>http://www.thepodhotel.com/yourpod.html)</p>
<p>Sounds like couch surfing==big in Europe My D did this last fall in Switzerland. She and a few friends stayed at a persons house for free. It turned out to be ok and safe. But it made me very nervous. </p>
<p>she and a</p>
<p>I have seen the pod hotel, but I think I’m too clostophobic (sp?).</p>
<p>As for couch surfing, that was OK in my younger years, but at 50+, not so much.</p>
<p>I think we’ll end up at the hotel and just pay.</p>
<p>FallGirl, Did you check out the B&B’s listed in tripadvisor? Some of them look great and most are lower priced then hotel’s. [New</a> York City Accommodations: Read Reviews for Inns and B&Bs in New York City - TripAdvisor](<a href=“THE 10 BEST New York City Bed and Breakfasts 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor”>THE 10 BEST New York City Bed and Breakfasts 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor) Tripadvisor has a new section now too; vacation rentals and some of them have only a two or three mininum night stay and are very well priced for places with more then one bedroom.</p>
<p>Take a look at Hotel 91:</p>
<p>And these two threads for prior discussions:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/845139-new-york-new-york.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/845139-new-york-new-york.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/809267-nyc-hotel-recommendations.html?highlight=nyc+hotel+recommendations[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/809267-nyc-hotel-recommendations.html?highlight=nyc+hotel+recommendations</a></p>
<p>The New York Times ran a story on AirB&B last year that made it sound fairly attractive -
[Staying</a> With Newfound Friends, for a Fee - Frugal Traveler Blog - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/staying-with-newfound-friends-for-a-fee/]Staying”>Staying With Newfound Friends, for a Fee - The New York Times)</p>
<p>My son used Airbnb a while back when he attended a conference in the SF Bay area. Since he thoughtfully withheld the particulars of his accommodation arrangements until a few months <em>after</em> the trip, I can truthfully say I had no worries at all before or during his stay. </p>
<p>Oh, yes, I definitely would have had major qualms had I known he would be sleeping in a stranger’s apartment many miles from home, but I’m relieved to report that all went well. The room was as advertised, his host was pleasant, and my son saved quite a few dollars. </p>
<p>FWIW, Airbnb received start-up funding from Y Combinator, meaning some very savvy investors deemed the company and the concept worthy of investment. </p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>They have a college alum network if that makes anyone feel better.</p>
<p>I had a very pleasant experience with airbnb a couple of months ago. I stumbled across it while trying to figure out options to sleep 5 in NYC. We had guests visiting, wanted to take in NYC, and wanted to be able to share a space. We had looked at suites, but those that would sleep 5 were rare and very expensive.
Through Airbnb, we scoured the many listings, emailed back and forth with owners, read reviews from others who had stayed at the apartments. Some owners did not respond to our inquiries, but most did. Some required longer stays. Others were willing to “bend” if you paid a little extra. You have the option of searching various arrangements. We only searched for apartments where we had the entire space to ourselves.
It was an adventure since we had never done this before (we rented a 3rd floor walk-up in the East Village), had a great time, slept comfortably, had an adequately equipped kitchen, clean linens/towels.
Airbnb manages the money exchange, so you don’t have to give out credit card info to a stranger. We would definitely do this again!</p>