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What are the advantages of using Airbnb for short-term rentals in Pattaya and Bangkok compared to other platforms?

AirbnbShort-term rentalsPattayaBangkokServiced apartmentsBooking.comAgodaRental adviceCondosExpats in Thailand
October 30, 2023
a year ago
Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm just checking out some apartments for rent, short term, through market place and Airbnb, other than security there is there much of a benefit to using Airbnb? Checking out Pattaya and Bangkok

Has anyone got any advice on the process of booking a room through messenger/marketplace?

I'm booking last minute and Airbnb doesn't really have much choice for stays over 2 weeks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the pros and cons of using Airbnb for short-term rentals in Pattaya and Bangkok compared to other options like serviced apartments and booking platforms such as Agoda and Booking.com. Key points include concerns about additional fees on Airbnb, the legality of short-term rentals in certain condos, and personal experiences with renting directly from hotels or local listings. Suggestions include trying guesthouses initially and checking local real estate agents for better rates.
Lee **********
Unfortunately to find decent places at decent prices on Airbnb, you need to book way in advance.. the decent places are always booked out fast
a year ago
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Donna *******
Hi Craig, I've been using Airbnb for the last 2 years travelling around Thailand and Vietnam. Airbnb you don't need to pay a deposit unlike alot of market place units. When looking at Airbnb see if includes electricity, water, wifi and cleaning. Airbnb check how many reviews as some hosts relist if they get bad reviews.

You can also go into most condo buildings and they have onsite agents/office who list available units and some can be short term.
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Donna ******
 what if the ad says deposit required and bills not included on Airbnb? Seems most of the apartments that are over 4 week stay are like that?
a year ago
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Donna *******
@Cr***
 hi, I have booked every apartment for 1 month plus (you usually receive a discount for over 28 days) and never have paid a deposit. With bills just make sure you are happy with price + extra's. Electricity is the biggest + I estimate an extra 2- 2500thb per month if bills are not included but that depends on each person.

I wouldn't book an Airbnb that asks for a deposit, they have cancellation and payment schedules as part of Airbnb policies.
a year ago
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Donna *******
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Jim **********
Given up on Air BnB for a long time. High prices (driven by their cut, and by greedy landlords) and very little else to justify it (their support and service is crap).

The disruptor just bacame a part of the system and a part of the problem for me so I ditched it.
a year ago
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Tom **********
Renthub.com
a year ago
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Gordon ********
Keep in mind the “extra charges” when using Airbnb.

Best to rent direct.

Market place or “ local rentals” sites
a year ago
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Lynnette *******
@Gordon *******
 you mean cleaning? That's to provide linen change and cleaning after you leave. There's no deposit paid.
a year ago
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Gordon ********
@Lynnette ******
Hi

Have you looked lately?

“Fees and cleaning” can be substantial unless amortized over a long period.

Example:
a year ago
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Lynnette *******
@Gordon *******
 and it's one payment paid at end of stay. Unless arranged differently.
a year ago
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Gordon ********
@Lynnette ******
Hi

I have used Airbnb for many years before these charges were added.

I would prefer it in the listed price for fair comparison rather than at the end of transaction.
a year ago
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Lynnette *******
@Gordon *******
 the cleaning fee is shown on the booking detail before you book and pay. We've been using Airbnb as a platform for about 15years for properties in several countries.
a year ago
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Lynnette *******
@Gordon *******
 I have 2 airbnbs. The cleaning/ laundry fee goes to the cleaner not the owner.
a year ago
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Lynnette *******
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Mike *******
Have you tried searching in Booking dot com? Aside from conventional hotels and homestays, they also have a lot of Air BnB style accommodation listings. Good luck.
a year ago
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Bob ********
The benefit of AirBnB as opposed to a hotel is that the properties are usually well equipped if you want to cook your own meals for example.
a year ago
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Dana *******
Book a guesthouse for the first 2-3 nights, get there, chose the surroundings where you would like to live, check real estate agents around. The safest, the easiest.
a year ago
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Julane *******
Many condos in Thailand forbid Airbnb rentals unless they are over 1 month. I've often seen signs up stating that. Since many buildings have guards and cameras, you wouldn't want to fork out money and get booted out.

Fir the past 18 months in Thailand, we've used Agoda and Booking.com. And sometimes rent monthly at hotels (which include wifi, and cleaning and sometimes water and electricity). They include a fridge and sometimes a microwave too.

I've seen that Airbnb often charges fees for these on top of the posted rate. Just go to hotels and ask for monthly rates. Surprisingly much cheaper than Airbnb.
a year ago
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Ruth *******
@Julane ******
 booking.com and I think agoda have the exact same problem as Airbnb. They both allow homeowners, not registered as hotels, to rent short-term rentals. The companies don’t take responsibility for the legal ramifications.

Regarding the signs, yes, they’re there. Have you ever heard of someone actually being booted? I stay in places with those signs all the time. I stay for longer, but there are many people staying for short-term. Nothing is done. The signs are an attempt at a deterrent.

Yes, some charge fees for electricity if usage goes beyond a certain amount due to the relatively high cost and the fact that otherwise guests might leave a/c running in an empty unit.
a year ago
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Julane *******
@Ruth ******
 Well I came from Singapore where it was enforced. Heavy fines. But this is Thailand!

I did see some condo units on Agoda/Booking which surprised me. Guess everyone is on the Gravy Train now.

I figured here that neighbors would report abuse to management...esp the people who rent to make big parties. I guess it's up to the condo to enforce...or turn a blind eye. But I cant imagine signing a rental contract and then discovering your neighbors are changing every few days.

When I decide to sign a lease, I think I'll check closely which condos have a lot of listings on AirBnb and avoid them!
a year ago
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Julane *******
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Julane ******
 thanks for the recommendation, I didn't think to go seek a better rate from the hotels. Although I would prefer an apartment for kitchen facilities, as apposed to a hotel room

Are you traveling around Thailand or living there now?
a year ago
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Julane *******
@Craig ******
 Living AND traveling together throughout Thailand.

After renting a condo for 2 months at the beginning (directly from condo's juristic office), it wasn't worth the hassle. Kitchen was so minimal that we often just did take away there. Then add in: cleaning charges, sometimes higher electricity rates, setting up internet, getting deposits back, etc.

Plus it's more fun to eat out. (Homemade meals are now more just salad). I love cooking, but the amazing food here doesnt make me miss cooking...yet.

Plus renting longer term meant leaving the place empty while we travel... which is 85% of the time. Didnt make sense. So we got a storage room instead for the things we shipped over.

But most people who move to Thailand dont tend to explore the country and countryside.

Smaller run hotels often have monthly rates.high and low season prices. Also coin washing machines are often inside premises...or nearby.
a year ago
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Julane *******
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Eric *****
Try Agoda
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric ****
 I find Agoda is only good for hotels? Do you use Agoda much?
a year ago
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Marc ********
@Craig ******
 I ise it most of the times. They have a hotline for Thailand if there is any problem.
a year ago
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Marc ********
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Brandon ************
You can look into serviced apartments for short term as well
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 where would you find serviced apartments to book?
a year ago
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Marc ********
@Craig ******
 Agoda
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Craig ******
 Google
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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Lynnette *******
Depends where you are and how much you want to spend.
a year ago
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Craig *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
*****
k baht per month I was thinking... Bangkok and Pattaya is where I'm looking
a year ago
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Lynnette *******
@Craig ******
 I'm sure someone on here might be able to help.
a year ago
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Lynnette *******
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