A Disturbing Airbnb Experience
An individual, known as TikToker @Houseofherrspeaks, is currently facing an unsettling situation while staying in an Airbnb. The location is described as being eight hours from home, and the property has some unusual features. Guests are unable to open the windows, and there’s a mention of a light case of hand, foot, and mouth disease. This experience has led the TikToker to consider setting up an “Airbnb survivor fund.”
In one of her videos, she received numerous comments urging her to leave the rented room and opt for a hotel instead. Her response was, “I don’t think they’ll hurt me, they’re just strange.” This statement highlights the bizarre nature of her current stay.
What Went Wrong?
In a pinned post, she explained that when she booked the Airbnb, she wasn’t informed that the hosts would still be present and that she would only have access to one bedroom during her stay. This situation could be manageable if the house had a calm environment with a friendly host. However, the TikToker is traveling with her child, and the house has multiple chaotic residents. The host, an older man, seems to spend his days watching YouTube videos.
According to the TikToker, the household includes the host, his daughter, her fiancé, and their child. There are no other rooms available in the area, which adds to the complexity of her situation. She also mentions that her car isn’t working, her reservation is under the wrong name, and she has about 87 more days to endure this ordeal.
A Disturbing Incident
The situation worsened when, after her first night as a guest, one of the residents entered the room she had rented while she and her child were sleeping. The resident made accusations, asking if she and her son had trashed the living room. She responded by stating that they had been in bed by 7:30 pm the previous night, making it impossible for them to have caused the damage.
Is This Real?
In subsequent posts and comments across several TikToks, it becomes clear that communication is a significant issue. The TikToker had never used the site before, and her friend Tim allegedly helped set up the reservation. However, Tim mistakenly put his name on the reservation, leading to complications. The solution to these problems is simple, but the systems involved make it complicated.
Airbnb’s representative pointed out inconsistencies with the TikToker’s claims. They noted that the user admitted in the comments that the series of posts is for “entertainment purposes only.” Despite this, the content has garnered over 225,000 views, indicating that people are indeed entertained.
What Did Airbnb Say?
The Airbnb representative stated that they were unable to find a reservation associated with the user or anyone mentioned in the videos. They also highlighted that the user’s description of how the platform functions is inconsistent with actual Airbnb operations. For example, the user claimed there was no check-out date for the reservation, which is not possible since all Airbnb bookings must have a checkout date. Additionally, the user mentioned that her friend booked the reservation with his first name only, which is not how Airbnb works.
Surviving the Situation
In an earlier video, Houseofherrspeaks discussed her method of surviving the world, which involves the concept of “transmutation.” This idea is about taking something negative and flipping it into a positive. It appears that she may be using a combination of dissociation and observation to cope with her current challenging situation.
Understanding Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease
According to KidsHealth, a Nemours Children’s Health site, hand, foot, and mouth disease (coxsackievirus) causes mild flu-like symptoms that typically resolve without treatment. In some cases, these symptoms can lead to more serious infections. The viruses can spread through unwashed hands and surfaces contaminated by feces, where the virus can live for several days.
As of the most recent post, Houseofherrspeaks said she is recovering from the virus and awaiting a call from Airbnb that has been brokered by the ever-helpful Tim.
The Popularity of Airbnb
According to an August 2024 Hotel Report, Airbnb captures 10-12% of travel demand in New York, Paris, and London. In 2017, Forbes reported that 90% of Americans have never tried a home-stay, and among those concerns are safety and professionalism.
While the overwhelming response after trying Airbnb appears to be positive, many people have stories about friends who had bad experiences with homes that didn’t match their listings or problematic hosts.
The Mary Sue reached out to Houseofherrspeaks for comment.
