Airbnb block nan from reserving pad for household Xmas dinner after being deemed ‘celebration threat’

A nan has shared her “disgust” and “outrage” after Airbnb refused to accept her booking.

The grandmother from Wirral had spent a whole day in search of a pad big enough for her three daughters, her son-in-law and six grandchildren to sit around the table to enjoy Christmas dinner together.

She tried booking Orange Rentals characteristic Victorian terrace in Liverpool which sleeps 10 people. She had hoped to stay on December 30 – that being the only date her daughters were available due to work commitments.

But she was declined by Airbnb who told her she and her family – including her grandchildren aged 17, 14, 12, 10, four and 18 months were deemed a “party risk.”

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Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star, the retired postmistress said: “I spent all day over the weekend looking for somewhere suitable for us all – my main criteria was that there was a big enough table we could all sit around for Christmas dinner together.

“None of us have a house big enough to fit everyone so we thought it would be ideal to book an Airbnb so we could cook and have rare quality time all together.

“I wasn’t bothered about it being too far away, it was mainly the space we wanted.

“When I saw the Liverpool property, I thought it seemed ideal.”

She added: “I couldn’t believe it when I got an email from Airbnb saying they were rejecting the booking because they deemed us a party risk.

“I even tried calling them to explain. At that point, I was given the option to proceed with the booking but it declined again.

“I then had another email from Airbnb saying they stand by their decision to reject the booking.”

The woman explained that she had been asked to provide a video of herself and photographs of everyone in the party prior to the booking.

“I just thought it was ridiculous,” she added.

“Who are they expecting to attract to this property that sleeps 10 people if not large groups? And why are they demanding everyone’s photos, it’s not Buckingham Palace.

“Are they just trying to make sure we don’t look like scallies?”

After the Daily Star contacted Airbnb, they emailed the woman to apologise and invited her to book the property within 48-hours after “reviewing the restrictions” of their “anti-party technology.”

They say bookings over the New Year period are blocked if people are deemed a potentially higher-risk for a party. Airbnb look at the duration of the trip, how far the listing is from their location, the type of listing they’re booking, and if the reservation is being made at the last-minute.

But the woman said: “I am disgusted about this whole situation. I can’t understand after several messages I was refused the booking in the first place.

“The only reason we are coming to book now is because my daughters have been waiting to find out their hours over Christmas.

“After me explaining my family intention, I was still refused. It was almost as if I was being called a liar and was planning to have a party.

“Because of all this, I’ve decided to look elsewhere. I’m outraged.”

An Airbnb spokesperson said: “We’ve contacted the guest to help resolve the issue and help them book a stay on the platform.

“Airbnb’s anti-party technology restricts certain types of bookings over the New Year’s Eve holiday weekend to help reduce the risk of unauthorised and disruptive parties. In the rare event a user believes a mistake has been made, they can contact our 24/7 Community Support team for assistance.”

Airbnb asks users to complete the identity verification process, especially if they don’t already have an account.

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