Our AirBnB Experience – Asheville
James and I love to travel. We typically choose to stay at boutique hotels or resorts in the mountains, islands or larger cities. However, during our recent trip to Asheville, North Carolina, we wanted to try something different and stayed at our first AirBnB. AirBnB connects travelers with hots who are renting their home or a room in their home. The Air BnB website allows hosts to register their property and guests can choose the property they would like. We communicated with the owners via email once they approved our stay.
We chose the Crescent Moon Cottage owned by Hal and Cristina. Located at the end of a small street, we were within 5 – 10 minutes of downtown Asheville but at the same time felt we were out in the country. You entered via a short lane which could appear to lead nowhere but then opened up to a cute cottage.
The cottage consists of 2 units, an upstairs and downstairs each completely separate from each other. Initially, Hal and Cristina lived upstairs but recently moved into a tiny house on the back of the property. The back yard was peaceful with a relaxing water feature.
We chose to stay in the downstairs unit which included an efficiency kitchen, table and sitting area. The bedroom included a queen size bed and was a large room with a desk area and a beautiful bathroom.
We met Hal upon arrival and he provided a short tour and provided suggestions for things to do in Asheville. He was available via text and also encouraged us to knock if we needed anything during our stay. Coffee and tea were included and there was a full size refrigerator. Although we ended up not cooking, it is always nice to have the availability to cook and make your own coffee.
Hal and Cristina are both wildlife photographers and the prints throughout the apartment were of various animals. Some of my favorites were the penguins and one of lions (unfortunately this one did not photograph well). The elephant print made both James and me smile.
I appreciated that there was not a television and felt it made it easier to detox from the news which had been occurring lately. We did bring our Bose sound system and were able to access our playlists with the free wi-fi.
We enjoyed our stay at Crescent Moon Cottage and certainly recommend Hal and Cristina if you are planning a stay in Asheville. We certainly would consider AirBnB in the future.
Have you ever stayed at an AirBnB?
Joining with Meetup Monday and Emily for Grateful Heart Monday as I’m grateful for the opportunity to take a vacation and for those who make it possible.
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Never stayed at an Air BnB… and have been cautious of them from what I’ve seen (horror stories) from TV. But – you portray a great experience so I might be more open now that I’ve read what great things you had to say! 🙂
Karen | http://www.GlamKaren.com
I think it’s important to really look at the reviews. Our hosts had the highest of ratings and we felt comfortable. I’ve heard more of the horror stories from larger cities and I think I would be more cautious of those. I have heard that AirBnB will help you if there are problems.
I’ve never tried Air BnB but I generally hear really wonderful things from friends and then horror stories from the internet ha Glad you had a good experience!
I think the internet wants us to hear the horror stories rather than the good ones. Of course, I think we talk about the horror stories more. I don’t know that we would do it all of the time but it’s certainly a great option.
yes, airbnb is wonderful! I have used it as well as VRBO. Have never had a bad experience
We haven’t used VRBO but I’m putting that on our list. It was a good experience.
I love AirBnB. I have used it during my trip to Santa Monica, CA and it was a great and afforfable experience.
http://www.shamirawest.com
I so agree with you that it’s so affordable and it also helps you get to know the area in a different manner. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes! I love that I was in an actual neighborhood mingling with the locals.
We have never used it though honestly we haven’t had much time to travel lately! The cottage is so pretty- you guys got lucky! We’re thinking of taking a little trip over New Year’s so I may check into this!
Where are you going to go over New Years? It may sound silly but I do feel more comfortable doing AirBnB in places like Asheville or Nashville. We originally were going to Nashville and found a cute tiny house to rent but it was taken the week we were going. I hope you get to get away – you deserve it.
I’ve never used AirBnB, I’ve always been a little nervous to but I’ve heard really good things and that cottage looks perfect!
From what I am learning, it is truly best to read all of the reviews of your hosts. Everything was exactly as pictured on the website and it was clean and comfortable. It was a great experience.
I’ve never used AirBnB but I want to sometime! This cottage looks so nice. It sounds like you had a great experience! 🙂
It was a great time and I hope you will try it. A much different experience than a hotel room
I’ve always wanted to try something like AirBnB but never have. This place looks DARLING!
It really was a sweet place to stay, it makes me smile to just think about it.
We’ve used Airbnb to book stays in Indianapolis, Hawaii, Hong Kong, and Pulau Langkawi in Malaysia. It’s safe to say we’re fans of the service! All experiences have been great except one, and that was our fault because the reviews said, “You get what you pay for”…we assumed they were exaggerating, and they weren’t. 😉
I’ve heard that the reviews are truly something to pay attention to. I’m glad to hear you’ve been so many different places (with the exception of one) and had a good time. I know we will try it again.
I’m going to Europe in the spring and my friend and I are looking into AirBnB, so thanks for sharing your experience! 🙂
Rachel, I have a friend who stayed at an AirBnB in Ireland and she had a fantastic time. When she told me her story, I felt like I could try it here at home.
That looks like it would be so fun! I always look at their site but never book it!
You should try a stay sometime. Just consider the reviews and if you’re unsure only do one night as a trial.
What a beautiful and restful cottage! I am glad it was a good Airbnb experience! I love using Airbnb for all my traveling in the States and abroad! So fun to live like a local during vacation!
I agree with you that it really does help you live like a local. It’s always good to hear from others who utilize it more than we have.
That cottage looks amazing and the location is beautiful. I’d love to stay there.
http://www.pixics.com/blog
It was a truly sweet place to stay.
Looks so welcoming and cozy! Glad you had a positive experience. My husband and daughter used this in NYC once and we are considering using it this summer for a beach vacation. Definitely looking into it more!
I think we will consider it again. It sounds like as long as you listen to the reviews you can make good decisions about where you stay.
I have! Once. I am glad you had such a good experience. I feel positive about mine too. I was staying in a room of an occupied home, and it does take some getting used to being in a home with other people but that’s what I bargained for and it saved me money! I feel like reading the home owner’s reviews of previous guests also gave me some insight re: their expectations and general approach.