AirBnB: first time for everything!

I am going up to San Jose,Ca. for a few days (and hopefully will be able to get the articles together to start to post about our trip to Mexico...
( I have gotten some of my Trip Advisor reviews completed)

But as a family we host students and rent rooms to both local and international students.. We love to meet new people and exchange cultures.. As students they abide by the house rules.. a bit different then just renting out a room to a stranger...

I have mentioned several times that we always stay in a Bed and Breakfast.. this time I am traveling alone.. and do not want to pay the cost of a hotel and parking on top of that... So I decided to give AirBnB a try..

I first went to their site and saw what was available in the area.. Impressive and some not so much... I saw a room that was perfect for $75 a night.. they did add on a AirBnB fee and a cleaning fee.. Even with those.. very cheap... But when I went to make the reservation.. the host texted me that the room would not be available that evening.. AirBnb pulled up a list of others in the area.. I found one that is nicer and less expensive.. just a few blocks away from where I need to be....

The hosts email me asking me to give a time that I can check in... and that they will see me when I arrive..

Only issue so far.. when registering.. (this is a good thing and makes it safe for the hosts as well) they ask for two forms if I.D. I did scan my drivers license but then they wanted access to either my email or Linkedin or (maybe Facebook)
I wasn't comfortable with that.. but as my Linkedin for my travel writing is limited, I gave them access..
My concern is access to other peoples emails and information.. So I would suggest a separate travel email.. We have had this for years.. and works great... also assures that no reservations get lost in the family e-box..

I leave day after tomorrow.. and will post on Monday night how the experience has gone!..

The Sainte Claire Hotel, San Jose, Ca.

The Sainte Claire, San Jose Ca.

“Approved with a few minor issues.

This is a very old hotel and very nicely decorated. I have a room on the top floor (6th) and it is very nice... My room comes with a queen size bed lots of pillows.. This is a good thing.. not just two huge but 3 medium size.. The room was very clean and taken care of... and the hotel staff is very welcoming and courteous. The lobby has been restored and it is a very nice property in the midst of a very thrown together city..
Only issues to be away of.. and not major. Like several others have mentioned. The bathroom tub is cracked and peeling.. So even though it has a large tub.. I wouldn't recommend taking a bath. . as the rust is obvious.
Other minor issue.. the electrical plugs behind the desk, one is for the phone the other has an extension cord with two lamps and the clock radio plugged in.. Not the coffee pot.. had to pull the desk out, unplug the various items to get coffee working..
Thank Goodness, this is a very clean hotel so I didn't have any surprises when I pulled the desk away from the wall..
So over all would concur with the other reviewers.. it is fairly priced for the city area, parking is 29 a day valet only.. There is not parking readily available in San Jose downtown .. so this is not an added expense but a necessity.
The furniture and design make this a nice place to relax in the midst of a very eclectic city.

Room Tip: Other travelers have mentioned noise.. Between the dumpsters around the city and the noise outside...

See more room tips

• Stayed August 2013, traveled solo
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