Beap52 811 #1 Posted June 5 Just got back from from taking special needs grandson to Children's Mercy in Overland Park, Kansas. I usually ride along with either son-in-law or daughter to help keep Gibson entertained while they talk with doctors. Gibson and I are buds so he likes papa to join them. Normally we make a 3 plus hour trip up to Overland Park, visit doctor then return home same day. This time it was a two day visit. My daughter booked an airbnb room that she found on internet or something. We stayed in a walkout basement of a nice home in a well kept subdivision about 15 minutes from Children's Mercy. Megan called a hotel near the hospital and they were in the range of $150 and this airbnb was $90. I believe I enjoyed it better than hotel. we had a small yard with grill, gas fire pit. Inside was very clean, well kept and the owners had provided way beyond what any hotel ever provided such as baby wipes, all kinds of toiletries, snacks, a couple of TVs. I was impressed. I'm not sure I would want total strangers staying in my home but the husband of the house has cancer and this is one way to supplement their income. This was my first time in an airbnb, I was somewhat apprehensive but Megan had done her homework and we were very happy. This summer on family vacation I guess the kids have scheduled us to stay a few nights in these type of accommodations. Looks like we've got a few more options if a person does a little research. 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,500 #2 Posted June 5 Good friends of ours have half their house set up as one. They've had good success with it. We've never used one. Nothing against them but we're camping folk. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beap52 811 #3 Posted June 5 6 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Good friends of ours have half their house set up as one. They've had good success with it. We've never used one. Nothing against them but we're camping folk. I likewise prefer camping but some of these trips the hotel/airbnb seems to be the better option. I bought this 1983 Holiday Rambler about 5 years ago. pretty much gutted it adapted it to our likes and needs. The upgrade my wife likes best is the mini split for heating and cooling. Problem is that now I'm retired, I don't seem to have the time to enjoy it. Out first trip out this year will be Sunday evening. With any luck I'll have some smoked trout such as pictured below. 3 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 17,000 #4 Posted June 5 Like anything, there's always some bad ones too. Same for hotels We rented out a place last year on vrbo (which is basically the same thing) in the middle of no where PA for an "all the boys of the family " get together, 24 of us went and we had a blast. 5 days, huge place, private lake with small boats and kayaks, full size game room, the works. No way could it be the same thing staying in a hotel. The owner was easy to deal with, never a problem on anything. Highly recommend this place for big family get togethers or reunions. https://hemlockpointlodge.com/photogallery.html 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,175 #5 Posted June 5 We have used VRBO to book vacation rental homes for 10+ years in Pa, Del, and Md. Usually a week in July for my family of 10-12. Then a week in Sept. including my SILs family bringing the total to 20-22. Some were better than others, but we never had a really bad experience. When just the two of us are traveling, we use BNBs and have met some very interesting people all across the US and Europe. I won't go into the details, but one of the strangest BNBs I booked was North of Cooperstown, NY when we were there for a week when two of our Grandsons were playing in a Little League tourney. Some things you never forget. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,500 #6 Posted June 5 7 hours ago, Beap52 said: prefer camping Here's our standard issue setup. All tents are ours. Trina's mom on the far left in the blue one. We were in the orange in the middle. Hard structure is the camp's lean-to. Our friend on the right in our green tent. Full kitchen in the pic center. We have more ways to set up than I could count. At least 9 or 10 tents from a lightweight backpacking rig to the ones below. Mattresses. Cots. Inflatables. All kinds of other gear. 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ML3 1,203 #7 Posted June 5 (edited) Last few years when we travel I've selected to use airbnb. Had good luck every time I used them- i read reviews. Last year for the big show I rented a park model camper in a really nice campground only 10min from fairgrounds. Had access to the campground amenities including a really nice pool. This year for big show we rented a studio apt on a farm bout 20min from fairgrounds. Definitely cheaper than a hotel- kitchen, linens, private patio, grill, fire pit, etc. My days of camping, especially in a tent, are over! I camped with my kids since my youngest was 2yrs old.Initially started with a pop up, moved to a 23ft hybrid, & ultimately had an Airstream. Lotsa miles dragging trailers all over alone w/2 young kids- I had full custody. (now they are 18 & 21) Both kids still talk about all the good times we had. Now I'm all about traveling light. I want my a/c & a hot shower. Getting soft as I get older...... Edited June 5 by ML3 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,175 #8 Posted June 5 2 minutes ago, ML3 said: My days of camping, especially in a tent, are over! Same here. Hundreds of miles of back packing on the Appalachian Trail. Sleeping bag only shelter on bear hunts in Northern Quebec. A four week tour of eight national parks across Western US in a pop up camper. (best vacation ever) Many summers camping on the water in my 24' WAC (walk around cutty) Twenty years in a 37 footer on the Delaware Bay. Now we pay someone else to do the cooking, cleaning and maintaining and just enjoy the soft beds and bug free climate controlled beach houses. 3 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,882 #9 Posted June 5 @Beap52 oh that Chevy! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sailman 1,291 #10 Posted June 5 (edited) My wife and I have used AirB&B and VRBO a lot. Traveled through Europe in 2019 and stayed exclusively at airb&b. Every place was different which was fun and some of the "hosts" were really amazingly interesting folks to meet. Just returned from Clearwater beach and used airb&b there. Less $$ than the hotel, right on the beach and had all the extras like kitchen, washer / dryer, etc. Our idea of camping these days is a 35 Ft sailboat. Edited June 5 by Sailman 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,459 #11 Posted June 6 I'm glad you had a good experience with Airbnb. I've heard good and bad, but I personally have not used one. We always camped when we were younger. Then as we got older, the work just getting ready and coming back home got to be too much. That's when we sold the trailer, put the money into the "vacation" fund, and as Ed said... "Now we pay someone else to do the cooking, cleaning and maintaining and just enjoy the soft beds and bug free climate controlled beach houses." 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
