Have you ever stayed in an Airbnb with 0 reviews?

[mommyoffive]

Have you ever stayed in an Airbnb with 0 reviews?  I always avoid them.  I think I might have done it one time in Africa and it worked out fine.  

Do you do it?  Or only places with reviews? 

[Laura Corin]

We've had good and bad experiences.  Husband booked one in an emergency, checked street view once he had the address and realised it was an office building.  It was a scam.  He cancelled and got a refund.

After this experience, when we next considered booking a zero review place, I contacted the owner, explained my concerns and asked for proof of residence.  She sent me a copy of her driver's licence and a link to her farm shop.  It was a great stay with fresh scones, cream and jam.

[Farrar]

I booked one once with caution and they canceled on me at the last minute, which was really annoying. I think they may have been a scam.

 

[Lori D.]

I can't remember if there were any reviews or not, but we booked in advance at a brand new Air B&B in a tiny town near a ferry that we needed to take as the next leg of our vacation. She had only had 2-3 other guests previously, and was so attentive and anxious to make sure we had everything we needed -- even to the point of making a huge lovely breakfast very early in the morning that we had to wolf down (we had to leave early to make sure to catch the ferry), and couldn't properly appreciate all her lovely efforts. 

But otherwise, I am cautious and only go with places with many reviews that I research well in advance. 😉 

[Acadie]

Only if the host has other properties with good reviews.