I use Airbnb for most vacation travel. Always rent a whole house/flat. Try to use "Super Hosts" and check reviews. Have had success in the US, Scotland, Iceland, and Italy.

- Don't care about the gym.

- I'd rather cook my own food.

- Rent a nice place, upgrade not needed.

- I've never rented a place that had awkward check-in/out times.

- Not sure what you mean? If you rent the whole place, you can come and go as you please.

- Airbnb facilitates online chat with the owner.

- Never had a concern that needed raised.

- Rent a place with laundry

- I'd rather go to a local place than a hotel bar

- I only meet the host about 1/3 of the time and it's always been at the house. The other 2/3, the house has a key box or similar for access.

- Never happened to me

- Never happened to me

- Never happened to me

- Never run into weird rules

- Never run into this either

- Never run into this. Hosts have always been professional.

- Refunds through Airbnb have been easy (I have several this year)