Posted by N.B. · 7/20/2026
C.N. my experience has been the opposite hotel vs Airbnb wise. Airbnbs owners often lie and that hasn’t been the case hotel wise. Plus hotel wise you can check recent photos on tripadvisor which you cannot with Airbnbs
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Member · 7/20/2026
We went to 10 airbnbs. Everyone of them worse than the other. Never again.
Member · 7/20/2026
We stayed in 4 Airbnbs that looked immaculate from the pictures. I even messaged with my specific concerns on mold and fragrance. Every single one was a HUGE let down. They appeared clean, but when the Hvac came on... Gross! In my opinion, those homes don't run the Hvac as much as needed when not booked. They sit with too much humidity when unoccupied.. Regardless, my husband said absolutely never again.
Member · 7/20/2026
Depends on where you are and each Airbnb. I find they are worse than hotels as many of them are flipped properties as well as just generally not quality builds. There is a list of hotels and few Airbnbs in the group file to check out
Member · 7/20/2026
I’ve found Airbnbs to be easier to control for mold than hotel rooms since you can at least see photos of the Airbnb before booking. What to look for: stay away from old “historic” houses (even if recently renovated), bubbling in the paint, water spots on the ceiling, look for good reviews mentioning cleanliness, look for lots of natural light/ good air flow. I’ve also found luck with in-law units that look like they’ve been recently built.
Member · 7/20/2026
I've not had good luck with Airbnbs, unfortunately, and better luck with hotels built within the last 5 years. I use the search box above the reviews for each hotel on Trip Advisor by putting in "mold" or "mildew" or "smell" etc
Member · 7/20/2026
I have had better luck with Airbnbs over hotels! I GOOGLE search "new construction Airbnb in ..." which will allow you to see all listings that include that in their description. Then I message hosts asking year built and a series of questions asking if they have ever had any leaks/water damage (big or small), complaints of mold or mildew, and if they have working bathroom fans. I usually say I have severe health issues or asthma because a lot of people don't understand/respect mold issues!
Member · 7/20/2026
Hotels by far. Even new Airbnb‘s have had issues in my experience and often the owners lied about the properties being mold free when they weren’t. I even had to ask my law savvy fiend for help as I was very close to losing 2,500 dollars. I only do hotels now. 2020+ buildings that have been well maintained. I’ve been okay in a historic but completely gutted and super well ventilated newly opened building too but that’s not always a good chice.
Member · 7/20/2026
I don't think many clean their air conditioning. We had one place blow massive mold chunks into our open suitcase last year.
Member · 7/20/2026
Hotels are better, and also easier to visit beforehand. Airbnbs are usually pretty moldy or extremely moldy - not built with the same quality control as a hotel would be. But at the end of the day you need to visit places to really know how moldy they are.
Member · 7/20/2026
One thing to consider is that you don’t want to bring your belongings with any mold spores into a clean space; if at all possible, to avoid contamination the space (affecting others as well) and recontaminating your new space
Member · 7/20/2026
If you are only sensitive to mold and don’t have chemical sensitivity you can look for new builds. I have chemical sensitivity along with mold so it was very difficult. A lot of the older homes are flipped and just cover up mold.
Member · 7/20/2026
I used to do airbnbs after asking them all the questions. But I still got stuck in very moldy places several times. I prefer hotels now. The reviews and build/remodel dates are usually enough to find me a decent place, and if one room is moldy you can often move to another or even a different hotel if it's a big chain.
Member · 7/20/2026
Typically, I find airbnb more challenging than hotels mold-wise.
Member · 7/20/2026
I have a mold free RV in Pensacola FL that’s currently available. It hasn’t had any fragrance used in it for the 4 years I’ve owned it. It does have a tad residual fragrance from previous owners. It doesn’t bother me but everyone is different. It’s my policy to refund if you can not stay here for whatever reason. The link to abnb is in the sensitive rentals ad. Feel free to contact me. https://www.sensitiverentals.com/pensacola-fl-jana/ SENSITIVERENTALS.COM Pensacola, FL (J.) | Rentals Guide - %%%sitetitle%
Member · 7/20/2026
Try Sensitive Rentals website.
Member · 7/20/2026
I am also chemically sensitive (in addition to mold). Artificial fragrances are the worst for me and I've lost so much money on air bnb's because we walk in, and walk right back out again 5 minutes later. Gain and Fabreze cause horrible and instant discomfort. I've had some success with explaining that I have a condition and asking if I can come see the property before booking. Many places fail this look around however because they hire house cleaners who bring their own cleaning products and it tends to be the cheapest most heavily fragranced things. On top of this, they often have a locked closet where the cleaners put all the supplies. In one house I told them I could tell the problem was in the locked closet, they opened it and the cleaner had left a wet mop and damp laundry in a carpeted closet so there was mold, mildew AND fragrances. I was sick for days afterwards. However, one air bnb host who does much of her own cleaning was super accommodating and asked a ton of questions. She followed all of my recommendations and cleaned to my requested specifications before we moved in. She is also going to take carpeting out of her own home and take mold and allergy precautions in her rental and home from now on. I've had more success with hotels, but they are usually more expensive. Presence of mold mostly seems to do with the age of the hotel over anything else. Newer is better. The only older hotels I've tolerated are in Anaheim, CA or surroundings. I think that the proximity to the resort drives them to keep them better maintained, but also drives up the prices. Definitely look into long term stay pricing and ask the hotel managers or sales staff about them. The front desk staff does not always have the power to override weekend price surges but managers do and often will if you explain the circumstances.
Member · 7/20/2026
DO NOT use Airbnb
Member · 7/20/2026
We have had better experience with using hotels instead of Airbnb. Hotels are also less of a commitment and usually you can get a long-term stay Discount.
Member · 7/20/2026
This is not a perfect solution, but I have been living in Landing Standby furnished apartments for a few months at $1500/mo., but prices are going up to $1795. They can move me with 3 days notice or I can move myself when I want for a $150 cleaning fee. They have more set dates if you pay more money, but I have enjoyed not being tied to one unit or location. The more I have moved, the more unmasked I have become as to what triggers me. For each apartment booking I do a deep dive in google reviews. I have been in a few brand new builds, actually first tenant to be in the room, which can be good and bad But furniture, bedding, towels have all been brand new in 95% of places I stayed. Have been doing this for 6 months in TX, CO and FL, so can share reviews on those. If you join Landing and put in my code uHkn6A at checkout, once you check-in, we both get $250 in credit. Landing app: https://hellolanding.page.link/Zi7X HELLOLANDING.COM Landing | Furnished Apartments for Short & Monthly Stays
Member · 7/20/2026
Ive had terrible luck with Airbnb's. They are so poorly maintained. No one maintains hvac units. I would choose hotels over them for the most part. If you do book one, make sure there are no carpets!
Member · 7/20/2026
No airbnbs have been good. And are usually furnished with things from fbmp from people's moldy homes.
Member · 7/20/2026
Search Google maps reviews and keyword search mold then mildew then odor then musty then fragrance then smell for hotels.
Member · 7/20/2026
Newer building, no carpets, windows or balcony.
Member · 7/20/2026
I’ll never do a Airbnb again!
Member · 7/20/2026
Get a hotel. Newsleeps.com has a bunch of newer built hotels that other CIRS patients recommend. I lost about $500 in an Airbnb that a woman claimed was mold free. The mold was not visible, but the sheets in the unit were damp!! NEWSLEEPS.COM Redirect
Member · 7/20/2026
I use Claude now to find newly built hotels or aparthotels. It s life changing, saves me so much time. It can often find construction dates, go through reviews, etc within seconds. Say that you need a CIRS friendly place so it knows exactly. still double check yourself, but it saves so much time. If you are going/living somewhere warm, being able to sleep with an open window will also help.
