Also in the Pro-AirBnB camp. Use it all the time in Europe and have never had an issue.
Although, I don't know if I would use it for MY place, but different circumstances i suppose. How many people are coming to stay in Calgary as tourists to see the sights? Assuming most Calgary users would be people in the same situation here: weddings, stampede, etc. all parties. Another issue is payment. Would I accept less than $120.00 a night for my place? probably not, but that is what a hotel runs at so maybe its cheaper for a renter to use a hotel.
On the travel side, i would recommend it to anyone; especially traveling to Europe. Hotels can be pricey and many people by a place and just rent them out to tourists for $100 a night or less. But you have to present yourself in a good light. They will ask you questions or want to know what your doing in the city etc. to get a sense of whether you are an "drunken orgy" kind of person. In these circumstances we just explain that we are there as a couple (old lady and I) and travelling around. We mention what we do and in some cases provide links to our professional bios etc. as an added ease. Sometimes we dont hear back but mostly we do.
As someone mentioned though, once you get passed the "initial user" status and have a couple good reviews (yes owners rate renters) then you are usually golden.
|