I've had good luck, but most of the time for a 1 night stay a hotel is better.

If it's multiple nights or a group that's where airbnb is more appealing. You have to put in the work to read everything the owner posts and the reviews to figure out if they are they type to engage in shenanigans. It's worked so far, but ridiculous to have to check for it

Yeah its supposed to be a cheaper way to stay but I'd rather pay a little bit more for the structure, show up check in at the desk, then just leave when you're ready. If I want cheaper travel I'd rather just camp

They're good for big groups and certain locations.

My wife has a big online friend group that likes to get together a couple times a year in various places around the US. For 15ish people, AirBnB is cheaper than hotels and lets everyone stay together in one place with room to congregate and cook real meals. It's also easier to find cabins and stuff in remote nature areas than hotels.

We're also planning a weeklong trip to NYC, and even with rewards points AirBnB was cheaper than a hotel.

Outside those specific circumstances, if it's just us and we're only spending a night or two in a less expensive location, hotels are basically always better

They're good for extended stays with other people, where you want multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. Or if you want a more private stay in a scenic area away from other people.

Might be an American thing. Never had any significant problem or excessive demand on Airbnb, both as a host and a guest, in Europe.

If you're a low-maintenance kind of person that just wants a pull-out sofa to sleep on, a shower, and possibly a kettle+microwave to make coffee+bad food for a day or two, you can find Airbnbs at ¼ the price of a hotel.

I've never done it myself, but there seem to be a couple of different reasons why it would be preferable over a standard hotel room.

1. Easier and cheaper way to get a huge living space with a kitchen for a large group of people.

2. The possibility of staying in a unique type of room that a hotel just can't provide.

the only reason o can think to use one is for partying and eat the fees.