In Europe too.
> Host suggested leaving doors open and having a fan
> redirect air from bedroom to living area. Looks like
> guests were looking to work while on a trip, so wanted and
> expected A/C throughout.
To be fair to the host, it's not their fault that the app didn't have the ability to track which rooms did or didn't have air conditioning. On hearing their problem the host also offered a reasonable solution to help them work in their apartment (something the apartment is not supposed to be used for).
> I can see both sides. On the one hand it did have A/C just
> not central A/C. On the other hand it was (they claim
> 100F) and we’re trying to “work from home.”
It wasn't the host's fault that they wanted to work in the apartment, neither was it their fault it was so hot. I've stayed in many places all over the world and half the time you're lucky if the AC works at all.
> It’s kinda borderline. What would judge Judy decide? Split
> the diff?
It would probably go through remediation, but if it went further it would just get kicked out. The most questionable part is their cancellation policy, not the AC description.
The "reasonable solution" didn't work - we waited longer than what the host claimed it would take to make the place "cool as a fridge".
Why would we not be supposed to work in the apartment?
Right, it wasn't anyone's hard fault, so if I were the host, I'd charge 3 nights' worth and leave the situation with a clean conscience and quite a bit of cash for spending 30 minutes.
See my detailed reply at https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalnomad/comments/d1i53n/its_10... (I'm the OP's roommate).
I think it's reasonable to expect AirBnB hosts, like any seller, to try to bend the truth or hide inconveniences in their listing, and it's up to you, the buyer, to exercise caution, read reviews, or ask the host.
That said, if hotels try that kind of BS, I complain until they refund me or upgrade my room, which has worked 10/10 times. This is one area where hotels have a clear advantage over AirBnB.
If we all pitched in and shamed dishonest sellers (to the point where there was a culture of honesty), we could all have the reliability of hotels without any of the costs of management. It's like how one of the reasons third world countries are so bad is that there is no social trust.
Context: I'm the OP's roommate. See my detailed reply at https://www.reddit.com/r/digitalnomad/comments/d1i53n/its_10....
But was the listing for the whole house, or a bedroom?
Plus it was $60/night. Don’t expect Hilton class accommodations for 60/night.
I can see both sides. On the one hand it did have A/C —just not central A/C. On the other hand it was (they claim 100F) and were trying to “work from home.” On the other hand it was $60/night equivalent...
It’s kinda borderline. What would judge Judy decide? Split the diff?