I just installed the Alexa Echo Show 15 in my AirBnB. This thing is really nice and has some great functionality that my guests should like. I can imagine something like this being really useful for families.

It is, however, slightly ridiculous that roughly 5% of the small number of available widgets are all related to fart noises.

What does that do for normal houses that is worthwhile?

Howdy Dammit said:

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What does that do for normal houses that is worthwhile?

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I could see it being of value for families who often have a lot of events on the calendar. We can control all of the lights and other connected smart devices in the place as wells as view security cameras. You can also use the drop-in and announce features to communicate around the house. This device can be used for video calls and also has Fire TV integrated. We have Amazon Music Unlimited, which lets us play music on any or all connected devices. Our guests really love the music availability and I use it constantly.

The calendar functionality is actually the biggest weakness of the Echo Show. The rest of the features we love, but we had to actually go with a Skylight to get solid calendar functionality.

Ah, so you can "drop in" and see what's going on.

Counterpoint said:

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DannyDuberstein said:

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Some dumbass renter is probably gonna ruin that thing

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I was thinking of that kid in Raising Arizona who already knows his ABCs scrawling "FART" on H.I. McDonough's wall but this is better.

Leeman said:

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Ah, so you can "drop in" and see what's going on.

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The camera is disabled by us as a default, and we cannot eavesdrop, not that we'd want to, anyway. We have a sign up that tells guests they are welcome to unplug the devices or ask us to remove them if it makes them uncomfortable.

Proposition Joe said:

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The calendar functionality is actually the biggest weakness of the Echo Show. The rest of the features we love, but we had to actually go with a Skylight to get solid calendar functionality.

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We use an integrated Google calendar. The primary use for it is to have checkout up on the calendar with checkout instructions available.

We use the photo gallery to show recommendations for restaurants and other local attractions.

superunknown said:

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I was thinking of that kid in Raising Arizona who already knows his ABCs scrawling "FART" on H.I. McDonough's wall but this is better.

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Especially considering the OP's username, I kinda had to!

I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

Teslag said:

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I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

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I didn't think internal cameras were allowed. I know they're ok outside but I'm not sure inside are allowed.

Teslag said:

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I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

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I wont stay in an Airbnb.

The value of those products have long since passed unless under a very specific set of circumstances.

Tex117 said:

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Teslag said:

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I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

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I wont stay in an Airbnb.

The value of those products have long since passed unless under a very specific set of circumstances.

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Interesting. Why not? Unless we're on a road trip and just need a bed for the night we pretty much only use Airbnb of vrbo.

NoahAg said:

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Tex117 said:

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Teslag said:

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I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

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I wont stay in an Airbnb.

The value of those products have long since passed unless under a very specific set of circumstances.

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Interesting. Why not? Unless we're on a road trip and just need a bed for the night we pretty much only use Airbnb of vrbo.

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on road trips where we need a bed, we use marriott points for a free night, and usually there's a bar or pool or whathave you.

Haven't done too many airbnbs, the two that come to mind are resort type places on table rock lake, but you can book directly through a website they have as well. So it's not some random homeowner renting his house out.

NoahAg said:

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Tex117 said:

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Teslag said:

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I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

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I wont stay in an Airbnb.

The value of those products have long since passed unless under a very specific set of circumstances.

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Interesting. Why not? Unless we're on a road trip and just need a bed for the night we pretty much only use Airbnb of vrbo.

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Hosts have gotten ridiculous with all of the add on fees and deposits. Why the hell am I paying a cleaning fee if you're requiring me to strip sheets, start laundry, run and put up dishes, etc? When you the add in "host fees" and "service fees," it's typically the same per night rate as a resort style hotel where I don't have to do any of that.

555-PINF said:

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NoahAg said:

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Tex117 said:

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Teslag said:

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I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

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I wont stay in an Airbnb.

The value of those products have long since passed unless under a very specific set of circumstances.

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Interesting. Why not? Unless we're on a road trip and just need a bed for the night we pretty much only use Airbnb of vrbo.

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Hosts have gotten ridiculous with all of the add on fees and deposits. Why the hell am I paying a cleaning fee if you're requiring me to strip sheets, start laundry, run and put up dishes, etc? When you the add in "host fees" and "service fees," it's typically the same per night rate as a resort style hotel where I don't have to do any of that.

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turn around time on these is just a few hours. They may not have time to start laundry or dishwasher if they do it after you leave.
A hotel doesn't have to take the sheets off, wash them, then put them back on, or do the same with dishes. They can cycle through the stock they have.

It's just the nature of someone renting their house.

For anyone staying in an Airbnb, that's essentially just a fancy clock that you have installed

Tex117 said:

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Teslag said:

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I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

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I wont stay in an Airbnb.

The value of those products have long since passed unless under a very specific set of circumstances.

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Couldn't disagree more, I want my own space with rooms for kids and not dealing with 50+ random people all around me. Maybe when kids are gone and it's just the wife and I, I will stay in nice, small hotels again.

For now I'm done staying in beached cruise ships.

NoahAg said:

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Tex117 said:

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Teslag said:

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I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

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I wont stay in an Airbnb.

The value of those products have long since passed unless under a very specific set of circumstances.

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Interesting. Why not? Unless we're on a road trip and just need a bed for the night we pretty much only use Airbnb of vrbo.

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I assume your "We" is why we differ.

Cleaning fees, list of chores, Im rarely in the room anyway other than to sleep...I (or me and my GF), all too much of a hassle.

For bigger groups, there is SOME benefit. For light and fast travelers, hotels are still the way to go (and they are cheaper).

Quote:

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Quote:

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Quote:

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I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

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I wont stay in an Airbnb.

The value of those products have long since passed unless under a very specific set of circumstances.

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Couldn't disagree more, I want my own space with rooms for kids and not dealing with 50+ random people all around me. Maybe when kids are gone and it's just the wife and I, I will stay in nice, small hotels again.

For now I'm done staying in beached cruise ships.

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Like above, the "We" changes things. If you are traveling light and fast with just your wife, you will probably not want to deal with an AirBnB either.

If you are hunkering down in one location for a week, sure...Airbnb may be a better option. But ugh. Dealing with it still sucks.

Slicer97 said:

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62strat said:

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555-PINF said:

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NoahAg said:

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Tex117 said:

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Teslag said:

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I won't stay in an Airbnb that has internal cameras

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I wont stay in an Airbnb.

The value of those products have long since passed unless under a very specific set of circumstances.

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Interesting. Why not? Unless we're on a road trip and just need a bed for the night we pretty much only use Airbnb of vrbo.

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Hosts have gotten ridiculous with all of the add on fees and deposits. Why the hell am I paying a cleaning fee if you're requiring me to strip sheets, start laundry, run and put up dishes, etc? When you the add in "host fees" and "service fees," it's typically the same per night rate as a resort style hotel where I don't have to do any of that.

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turn around time on these is just a few hours. They may not have time to start laundry or dishwasher if they do it after you leave.
A hotel doesn't have to take the sheets off, wash them, then put them back on, or do the same with dishes. They can cycle through the stock they have.

It's just the nature of someone renting their house.

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That sounds like their problem, not mine. If you expect me to clean, don't charge a fee for cleaning.

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It is their problem. That's why they are asking you to do those things. If it wasn't a problem, they wouldn't be asking you to do it, like a hotel.

Ok. Then they shouldn't expect a cleaning fee if they want me to do the cleaning.

Slicer97 said:

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Ok. Then they shouldn't expect a cleaning fee if they want me to do the cleaning.

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Are they asking you to clean the entire house? or are you starting a dishwasher/laundry machine?

That is quite the difference.. don't be so sensational.

I've stayed in plenty of hotels that have full kitchens that instruct you to load dishwasher and start it before you leave. Again, it's simply a time restraint thing between check out and check in.

txags92 said:

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My problem with the "cleaning fees" in VRBOs and with "resort fees" at hotels is that they are asking to charge you a separate fee for things that should just be included in the nightly rate. If it is a fee that is charged on every room rental, then it should be included in the room rate. If I can do something to not have to pay it (like not using the resort features at a beachfront hotel), then fine, keep it as a separate fee. But if it applies to every stay with no exceptions, then it should be in the room rate.

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but resort hotels are doing it all the time now with a resort fee that is required, and on top of the room rate. I use points all the time at the gaylord near me, but I still owe like $40 a night resort fee plus $30 a day for parking, so my free night is still >$100.

here is a summary when paying dollars. what you think is $455 when you click book is not so honest.



So you can't really pick on/single out VRBO when the big chains are doing it too.

62strat said:

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txags92 said:

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My problem with the "cleaning fees" in VRBOs and with "resort fees" at hotels is that they are asking to charge you a separate fee for things that should just be included in the nightly rate. If it is a fee that is charged on every room rental, then it should be included in the room rate. If I can do something to not have to pay it (like not using the resort features at a beachfront hotel), then fine, keep it as a separate fee. But if it applies to every stay with no exceptions, then it should be in the room rate.

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but resort hotels are doing it all the time now with a resort fee that is required, and on top of the room rate. I use points all the time at the gaylord near me, but I still owe like $40 a night resort fee plus $30 a day for parking, so my free night is still >$100.

here is a summary when paying dollars. what you think is $455 when you click book is not so honest.



So you can't really pick on/single out VRBO when the big chains are doing it too.

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Reread the first line of my post.

Quote:

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My problem with the "cleaning fees" in VRBOs and with "resort fees" at hotels...

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txags92 said:

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62strat said:

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txags92 said:

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My problem with the "cleaning fees" in VRBOs and with "resort fees" at hotels is that they are asking to charge you a separate fee for things that should just be included in the nightly rate. If it is a fee that is charged on every room rental, then it should be included in the room rate. If I can do something to not have to pay it (like not using the resort features at a beachfront hotel), then fine, keep it as a separate fee. But if it applies to every stay with no exceptions, then it should be in the room rate.

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but resort hotels are doing it all the time now with a resort fee that is required, and on top of the room rate. I use points all the time at the gaylord near me, but I still owe like $40 a night resort fee plus $30 a day for parking, so my free night is still >$100.

here is a summary when paying dollars. what you think is $455 when you click book is not so honest.



So you can't really pick on/single out VRBO when the big chains are doing it too.

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Reread the first line of my post.

Quote:

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My problem with the "cleaning fees" in VRBOs and with "resort fees" at hotels...

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bad quote job on my part.. I wasn't talking to you really, it was 555-PINF and slicer complaining about VRBOs only with their cleaning fees.

That's what I get for not paying attention to names, I thought I was talking to the same person I initially was having the discussion with.

No worries, you an I were on the same wavelength comparing the two.