Air BnB Anna faris

Air B&B And Ana Faris

12/27/2019

2020 is upon us and once again, I’m writing with a nod to caution in my relentless pursuit to inspire you to travel.

Did you read the story about the screen actress and her family in Lake Tahoe and their Air B&B (or AirBnB)? She and her extended family were literally sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner at their Air B&B house rental when members of her family (including children) started to feel ill. They assumed it was standard travel malaise when the symptoms worsened. It turns out it was Carbon Monoxide. That’s right...their rental was quickly filling with deadly fumes with no warning from Carbon Monoxide detectors installed in the home. It was later learned that all of these detectors were not functioning. Because of the fast-acting group and first responders, nobody was seriously injured. But certainly a close call.

This is yet another reason why I am not a huge fan of any lodging accommodation other than reliable, hotel/motel brands. Of course, this is an isolated incident and it could have happened anywhere in any lodging option. And for experienced Air B&Ber’s, you most likely already have your “pre-check-in” list of items to attend to. But for me, I honestly do not want to have to wonder whether or not the homeowner checked the smoke detectors.

While I completely understand Air B&B’s (and others) value proposition to consumers, this is yet another reason why I do not feel confident supporting the idea of staying or sharing someone else’s home on your vacation. Again, I’m not a gloom and doom guy but please consider the following before booking outside of a trusted accommodation option:

Fire alarms/Extinguishers/Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Reliable HVAC
Reliable Plumbing
Safe Neighborhood
Parking/Policy
Smoking Policy
Pet Policy
Locks on windows and doors
Bait and Switch by Owners
Hidden Cameras/Surveillance
Public Transportation Options
Transparent Pricing
Sanitary/Cleaning Policy or Practice
Fake Online Reviews
Conflict/Resolution Practices

My advice? Stay at a property you know and trust. Sure, the concept of making extra money on your house by renting it out to guests while you are away (or whatever) makes sense (and cents) on paper. But it truly is BUYER beware. I’m a resort or hotel guy. Why? Because one misstep with lodging can ruin a vacation.

Read Anna’s full story here
Read Air B&B’s latest safety article here

Happy (and safe) Travels in 2020!

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Author

I am on a mission to get you traveling more often. As the host of the Emmy award- winning, nationally syndicated television television for PBS and the Create channel, "Beyond Your Backyard," I travel (on average) 25 weeks per year. I am very grateful for the opportunity to meet cool people, experience new places, eat delicious food and work with the best production crew in the world. Hopefully, through this blog, you will join me on my travels and be reminded just how exciting it is to be alive!

MEET ERIK THE TRAVEL GUY

Erik Hastings, a.k.a. Erik the Travel Guy is an EMMY award-winning television personality who speaks directly to consumers who can't afford to "get their vacations wrong". He is the host and managing editor of the internationally syndicated television series "Beyond Your Backyard" for public broadcasting stations (PBS) and other networks/VOD platforms. Erik leads an incredibly talented team of industry pros and is the editorial driving force of his platform. While the travel industry directly supports millions of families worldwide, Erik believes travel makes the world a better place. Through exploration and discovery, he has learned that travel brings cultures together and he eagerly shares that spirit with his viewers. Read Erik's Full Bio.

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