I called my sister. “Forget our trip to Seville; I can’t deal with Airbnb; Trying to find the right place at the right time for the right price is driving me crazy. I feel like I’m out of my depth… in fact, I’m giving up.”
To tell the truth, I wasn’t that keen at first. After a lifelong fascination with hotels, I have always preferred this form of accommodation and felt confident in finding good places. The disappointments I’ve experienced with Airbnb in the past have done me no favors. But we had only made plans to spend a week in Seville this February a few months in advance, on a tight budget, and booked into some of my favorite characterful, cheap hotels in the city. Anyway, on this schoolgirl trip we thought it would be fun to shop at the market and cook paella together in a Seville kitchen.
I started off online. My sister Caroline was unable to assist with the search due to her poor eyesight, and I spent hours running around in circles trying and failing to match location, price, reviews, decor, and availability. That’s when I called him to pull the plug and when he mentioned a website his daughter was using.
BookitBecki is Becki Wallington, a one-woman operation who has turned her love of travel and organizing into a small business. “I have completed your search and am attaching your shortlist here,” she read her email 48 hours after I contacted her with my requirements. I had given him a budget limit of £130 per night and said we wanted two bedrooms if possible, preferred “chic but simple” and wanted to be central, preferably in Santa Cruz.
I noticed that its list was mostly curated from Airbnb, but also compiled from other Seville rental companies that do not use this platform (most of them these days use both private owners and professional rental companies, but of course there are other sites such as Booking.com, Expedia, etc.). to explore Vrbo).
I reviewed your suggestions. A compact apartment stood out: rustic-chic; two en suite double bedrooms; Living area with fireplace leading to a stylish kitchen with dining table and four chairs. Had Becki found gold? We would soon discover; In the meantime I booked the flat via Airbnb and paid Becki £55. For this price, it will research up to four locations according to the needs of its customers, and these locations can include different locations if desired; It will produce seven findings for £70; It will fund £10 for £85. For an extra £10 it will also research your flights.
Of course, the idea of paying someone to help you book a holiday isn’t new. For decades (until the advent of the internet), traditional high street travel agencies acted as intermediaries who made the necessary preparations when booking holidays. With these making a comeback, Becki has found a place somewhere among those seeking independence with full travel agency service.
It has customers of all ages, but most are busy middle-aged people; They often have families, jobs, and juggling responsibilities. Frankly, if you’re willing to spend hours doing research yourself, are good at it, and even enjoy the process, this isn’t for you. But if, like me, you find it overwhelming and a chore, you may find it’s money well spent.
Our journey to Seville was approaching; It was time to put Becki’s invention to the test. He says he has rarely (“never, actually, to be honest”) complain about a place he has found in nine years. As someone who has spent 30 years as a discerning hotel critic, can I be the first? Could I finally appreciate Airbnb after years of standoff?
We arrived in Seville around lunch time; cloudless blue skies, balmy 23C, streets lined with bright orange trees full of fruit. We then found our way through Judería’s neat, narrow streets until we reached a beautiful, almost hidden church and a street lined with elegant pastel-painted houses.
Our 18th-century merchant’s house, converted into six flats five years ago, was beautiful, with woodwork chosen in pale green and a central courtyard and a lift leading up to our first-floor flat. The inside was exactly as described in the pictures, only cleaner, very comfortable, very well equipped, with bedrooms and bathrooms that wouldn’t put a boutique hotel to shame, and also – and we hadn’t noted this – it had a private sun light. a rooftop terrace trap with sun loungers. It was heaven, it was home and at £65 per person per night it was great value for money.
“I thought yours was a particularly good apartment for the price,” Becki told me when I happily offered feedback, “but overall I believe Airbnb is getting much better and standards are higher than in the past.” Charming hotels are still top of mind for me, but the next time I need an Airbnb, though I’ve learned some of its tricks (“just go to one superhost and a long list of positive reviews; start with places that interest you”), browse, then review location, budget, dates, decor, equipment, extras”), I will get back to Becki.
how to
Visit bookitbecki.com or call 0779 095 9362. EasyJet offers daily flights from Gatwick to Seville for £144 return.