by I called my sister. “Forget our trip to Seville; I can’t get over Airbnb – it drives me crazy trying to find the right place at the right price at the right time. I feel out of my depth… actually, I give it up.”
To be honest, I wasn’t that enthusiastic in the first place. After a lifelong interest in hotels, I always preferred that type of accommodation – and felt confident in finding good places. My previous disappointments with Airbnb didn’t help. But we had planned to spend a week in Seville in February this year only a few months in advance, we were on a tight budget and my favorite inexpensive hotels in the city were booked. And, anyway, on this sororal trip we thought it would be fun to shop at the market and cook paella together in the Sevillian kitchen.
I laid out online. My sister Caroline was unable to help with the search due to reduced eyesight and for hours I went around in circles, trying and failing to match location, price, reviews, decor and availability. That’s when I called her to pull the plug – and when she mentioned a website her daughter used.
BookitBecki is Becki Wallington, a unicorn operation that turned her love of travel and organization into a small business. “I have completed your search and submit your shortlist here” read her email, 48 hours after I contacted her regarding my requirements. I had given her a budget limit of £130 per night and told her that we would like two bedrooms if possible, that we prefer “stylish but homely” and that we wanted to be central, preferably in Santa Cruz.
I noticed that most of his list was removed from Airbnb but also from other Seville rental companies that do not use that platform (most of them do these days, both private owners and professional letting companies, but of course there are other sites like Booking.com, Expedia and Vrbo to explore).
I examined her suggestions. One compact apartment jumped out: rustic-chic; two en-suite bedrooms; sitting area with fireplace opening into sleek kitchen with dining table and four chairs. Did Becki get gold? We want to know soon enough; Meanwhile, I booked the flat through Airbnb and paid Becki £55. For that price she will research up to four places according to her client’s needs, which could, if requested, include different locations; for £70 she will offer seven; for £85, she’ll get 10. For an extra £10, she’ll also research your flights.
Of course, the idea of paying someone to help you book your vacation is nothing new. Traditional high street travel agents, for years (until the advent of the internet) acted as intermediaries to do the legwork in booking a holiday. With these coming back, Becki has found a niche somewhere between those who want the full service of a travel agent and independence.
She has clients of all ages, but most are busy middle-aged people, often with families as well as jobs and other commitments to juggle. Of course, if you are willing to put in the hours of research yourself, are good at it or even enjoy the process, this is not for you. But if, like me, it’s huge and a bone of contention, you might feel like this is money well spent.
Our trip to Seville was a hit; it was time to put Becki’s find to the test. She says that in nine years she has rarely had a complaint (“in fact, to be honest, never”) about where she was found. Am I, with 30 years as a picky hotel critic behind me, to be the first? And would I, after years of indifference, finally appreciate Airbnb?
We arrived in Seville – cloudless blue skies, balmy 23C, streets with glossy orange trees dripping with fruit – in time for lunch. Afterwards, we found our way through the neat, narrow alleys of the Judería until we reached a beautiful, almost hidden church and a street of elegant pastel painted houses.
Converted into six flats five years ago, our merchant’s 18th-century house, its woodwork picked out in light green, was beautiful, with a central atrium and a lift to our first-floor flat. Inside, it was exactly as described in the pictures, but better because it was so clean, cozy and well-appointed, with bedrooms and bathrooms that wouldn’t put a boutique hotel to shame, plus – and not We had this registered – private sun. trap roof terrace with deck chairs. It was heaven, it was home and, at £65 per night per person, great value for money.
“I thought yours was a very good apartment for the price,” Becki told me when I gave my happy report, “but in general I believe that Airbnb is much better and the standards are higher than as they were before.” The charming hotels still come first for me, but when I need Airbnb again, even though I’ve picked up some of its tricks of the trade (“just be a superhost and a long list of positive reviews; start with places that will you. hope, then drill down through the site, budget, dates, decor, equipment, extras”), I turn to Becki.
How to do it
Visit bookitbecki.com or call 0779 095 9362. EasyJet offers daily flights from Gatwick to Seville from £144 return.
