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Valuable Tips for Guests Planning to Book an Airbnb in Los Angeles

Planning to book an Airbnb or VRBO? Sure, they seem easy, but sketchy hosts and shady listings can ruin your trip. Ditch the drama, dodge the scams, save up to 15%, and experience the difference. Here’s why LuxJB is the better choice:

AirBnB vs LuxJB

TRUST RATING

LuxJB

★★★★★ 5 out of 5

AirBnB

1.3 out of 5 ★★

HOST CANCELLATIONS

LuxJB

0% cancellation rate since 2015.

AirBnB

No responsibility. Hosts can cancel bookings at any time without penalties. This leaves guests vulnerable to last-minute cancellations, especially if hosts find higher-paying bookings elsewhere.

HIDDEN FEES

LuxJB

Clear, upfront pricing with no surprise fees. Guests pay only the agreed-upon rate.

AirBnB

Often includes hidden costs like cleaning fees + commissions which can add up and lead to a shock after booking or at checkout.

SCAM RISK

LuxJB

0% Risk: direct interaction with owners eliminates scam risks.

AirBnB

With its open model, Airbnb has become a target for scams. There have been cases of fake listings and hacked guest accounts, making it less secure for guests.

COMMISSIONS

LuxJB

0% commissions.

AirBnB

Charges a 15% fee, +20% commission for third-party-managed villas (VRC, PMC & Concierge) adding up to 35% in commissions.

RESPONSE TIME

LuxJB

15 minutes: before and during the stay.

AirBnB

Hosts average response is 48 hours. Hosts often avoid sharing phone numbers, making urgent communication difficult.

ACCOUNTABILITY & TRUST

LuxJB

Maintains strict standards to ensure guest satisfaction, creating a higher level of accountability.

AirBnB

Airbnb serves only as an intermediary. Hosts operate independently. This setup can make accountability inconsistent, and less reliable.

TYPE OF HOMES

LuxJB

Specially designed private vacation homes. Owners do not reside in the property when it’s vacant between bookings, ensuring an exclusive guest experience.

AirBnB

A home-sharing platform. Mostly budget-friendly homes where owners reside in the house when it’s vacant between bookings.

GUEST PROFILE

LuxJB

Caters exclusively to first-class travelers with minimum stay requirements, which helps maintain the homes in excellent condition.

AirBnB

Open to all types of guests, from teens to large party groups. One-night stays are common, leading to increased foot traffic, more wear and tear, and a higher likelihood of the house being in poor condition.

COMMUNICATION

LuxJB

No middleman. Direct communication with villa owners, allowing faster and clearer communication.

AirBnB

Communication happens through Airbnb’s app with hosts (who may not be the actual owners). This can lead to delays or misunderstandings due to the involvement of multiple middle-man— Airbnb, the host, and sometimes another 3rd party if the home is listed by a villa rental company.

HOME PHOTOS & AUTHENTICITY

LuxJB

100% transparency & authenticity with no misleading information. Professionally taken 100% accurate photos.

AirBnB

Allows for fake or misleading homes, including exaggerated descriptions & amenities and fake photos. Airbnb lacks resources to monitor all homes so hosts often face no penalties for misleading information.

SPECIAL REQUESTS

LuxJB

Allows guests to make specific requests, such as early check-ins, or special arrangements.

AirBnB

Hosts are limited in accommodating special requests due to platform policies or a lack of resources.

CHECK-IN PROCESS

LuxJB

No self-check-in. Villa managers personally welcome guests, ensuring a professional check-in experience.

AirBnB

Often relies on self-check-in. Guests may arrive to missing codes or passwords, with no immediate help available.

PRIVACY

LuxJB

Only private properties are offered. Gated villas with lush landscaping provide a serene, secluded environment for ultimate privacy.

AirBnB

May require sharing common areas or even parts of the house with the host or other guests.

LOCATION OF HOMES

LuxJB

Only prime locations with a Walk Score of 95+. All homes are in elegant, family-friendly neighborhoods close to top attractions, cafes & restaurants.

AirBnB

Location information can be misleading. Airbnb has no control on this. Hosts often hide important facts during the booking process and guests may end up in noisy, construction-prone, or unsafe neighborhoods.

AMENITIES

LuxJB

Resort-Style amenities. 100% accuracy, from gyms and cinemas to high-speed Wi-Fi. Villa managers ensure everything is in working order before arrival.

AirBnB

Often lacks essential amenities, even when they’re listed. Many hosts prioritize profits over quality, which can result in missing or non-functional essentials like reliable Wi-Fi, working AC, or hot tubs.

DOUBLE BOOKINGS

LuxJB

0% chance of double bookings. Each reservation is secured by a rental contract via DocuSign, guaranteeing the property is unavailable to others after booking confirmation.

AirBnB

Many homes are managed by multiple hosts, increasing the risk of double bookings. Guests may arrive to find the property is occupied.

GUEST SUPPORT

LuxJB

Villa managers are available 24/7, providing support from check-in to check-out for a seamless stay.

AirBnB

Limited support. If guests cannot reach their host during their stay, there is little Airbnb can do to assist in real time.

CONDITION OF HOMES

LuxJB

Modern, new homes, well-maintained and cleaned before each check-in. Photos are updated annually to reflect the home’s current condition.

AirBnB

Does not monitor listing accuracy or maintenance. Photos may be outdated, and property conditions can be inconsistent.

CLEANING STANDARDS

LuxJB

Professional cleaning staff uphold the highest standards of cleanliness, ensuring each villa is thoroughly sanitized.

AirBnB

Guests report issues with cleanliness, hygiene, including dirty linens, towels & unpleasant odors.