First time AirBnB user...in foreign country

[Anonymous]

Hello, I'm going to Santiago, Chile in April for work and I'm thinking about using AirBnB for the first time there. I haven't used it before in the US for various reasons, but I would like to use it in Chile so I want the apartment style lodging.

My hang up is when I have traveled to non-english speaking nations in the past, I like hotels because the front desk employees are almost guaranteed to speak english and I'd rather deal with businesses than individuals. I'm a bit weary getting off a 9 hour flight and dealing with an individual who might not speak english when I try to secure my lodging.

Though I really want the apartment style so I can make my own breakfast, have it ready and have a place to stuff leftovers because I hate scouring for food by myself in foreign nations.

Any thoughts? Thanks for your advice.

[Anonymous]

We just did air bnb in mexico and had a host who spoke English. That said, everyone else in the apartment complex did not (the guy who gave us the keys, security guard, cleaning staff etc), so if that will be problematic for you, you might just want to do a hotel. Also, I don't do air bnb often, but in this case, our rental was nice, but it had so many little problems that a hotel would never have (lights that didn't work, sliding doors that fell out) that next time I probably wouldn't do it.

[Anonymous]

The Airbnb app translates conversations to english so any messages between you and the host will be automatically translated. We had Airbnb guests that did not speak english - they sent messages via airbnb and I believe used google translate to have conversations with us. Make sure to go with a host that has a large number of five star reviews.

[Anonymous]

Why use Airbnb for business? If they're paying, find the nicest hotel in the best location.

Having traveled to Brazil where seemingly nobody spoke English, I was glad that people at the international chain hotel at least spoke broken English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why use Airbnb for business? If they're paying, find the nicest hotel in the best location.

Slight correction: I'll have work pay for my first week there, but I'm planning on staying a second week and that is when I'd get the AirBnB.

Having traveled to Brazil where seemingly nobody spoke English, I was glad that people at the international chain hotel at least spoke broken English.

Exactly. Chile is heard is very similar---nobody speaks english.

[Anonymous]

If you're really just looking for kitchen facilities, look for a suite hotel (Residence Inn or similar).

If you want the whole private apartment experience, check out hotel listing sites that also list vacation rentals. I'm sure it's location-dependent, but when I was traveling overseas, many of the properties I saw on Air BnB were also listed on Booking.com. I preferred Booking.com because I didn't have to do the back-and-forth with the host to request and confirm the booking. It felt much more like making a hotel reservation, and the cancellation policies via Booking were often much more lenient than the exact same unit on Air BnB.

But since it sounds like you really want to avoid interacting with locals (not wanting to explore the food scene, not wanting to talk to people), I strongly suggest going the hotel-with-fridge-and-microwave route.

[Anonymous]

We have airbnb-ed in a number of foreign countries-- incl. ones where we don't know the language. it all worked out OK. Make sure you read the reviews and get all very good reviews (or the things that bothered the lowered reviewers would not bother you).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why use Airbnb for business? If they're paying, find the nicest hotel in the best location.

Slight correction: I'll have work pay for my first week there, but I'm planning on staying a second week and that is when I'd get the AirBnB.

Having traveled to Brazil where seemingly nobody spoke English, I was glad that people at the international chain hotel at least spoke broken English.

Exactly. Chile is heard is very similar---nobody speaks english.

Lots of people in Santiago speak English. Just send a message to the AirBnb host before you book and ask if they speak English.

[Anonymous]

Airbnb hosts thrive on English-speaking guests. I promise you can find a property that specifically says "English speaking" (possibly even one owned by expats).

[Anonymous]

The Airbnb reviews will often indicate if the host speaks English, how easy it is to access the apartment, and the guidance provided. As long as there are lots of positive reviews you should be fine.

[Anonymous]

We have done airbnb and homeaway in other countries. Just find a host who speaks at least some English and you will be fine. It's much nicer having a kitchen and staying in a real neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're really just looking for kitchen facilities, look for a suite hotel (Residence Inn or similar).

If you want the whole private apartment experience, check out hotel listing sites that also list vacation rentals. I'm sure it's location-dependent, but when I was traveling overseas, many of the properties I saw on Air BnB were also listed on Booking.com. I preferred Booking.com because I didn't have to do the back-and-forth with the host to request and confirm the booking. It felt much more like making a hotel reservation, and the cancellation policies via Booking were often much more lenient than the exact same unit on Air BnB.

But since it sounds like you really want to avoid interacting with locals (not wanting to explore the food scene, not wanting to talk to people), I strongly suggest going the hotel-with-fridge-and-microwave route.

Thanks for your remarks. Nope, totally want to explore the food scene, but to be honest, my big gripe is with breakfast--I hate having to scrounge for food in the AM when I'm really hungry, and often, I'm hungover, which makes it even worse.

[Anonymous]

Awesome, thanks to everyone for your remarks!

[Anonymous]

Definitely read the reviews and pay attention to comments about the neighborhood. I have air bnbed in other countries with no problem and have friends who loved their abnb in Santiago. You shouldn't have trouble finding food. Get a lonely planet since restaurant quality varies quite a bit there. Enjoy the central market and pisco sours. If you like seafood you are in luck, but read reviews first and never eat ceviche at night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why use Airbnb for business? If they're paying, find the nicest hotel in the best location.

Slight correction: I'll have work pay for my first week there, but I'm planning on staying a second week and that is when I'd get the AirBnB.

Having traveled to Brazil where seemingly nobody spoke English, I was glad that people at the international chain hotel at least spoke broken English.

Exactly. Chile is heard is very similar---nobody speaks english.

Lots of people in Santiago speak English. Just send a message to the AirBnb host before you book and ask if they speak English.

+1, they learn it in school. Have relatives there and their english is very good.