‘Hell’: Two Aussie mates experience a nightmare Airbnb in Paris

Two Australians were initially excited to arrive in one of the world’s most beloved cities, but their trip became “hell”.

Two Australian friends holidaying in Paris shared an unsettling video documenting their arrival at what they thought was their accommodation, only to find the building under heavy construction.

The visitors, excited to check in at their accommodations that evening, were initially charmed by the quaint appearance of the street leading to the property’s entrance.

However, their enthusiasm quickly turned to fear and disbelief as they began to explore the interior.

The video, which has since gone viral on TikTok, was captioned: “POV, you’ve been catfished in Paris”.

It shows one of the tourists, Lauren Kennedy, narrating her experience with friend Brooke Marks in tow: “So we just got to Paris and we’re about to check into our Airbnb. The place looks kind of cute, but this is what it looks like to enter,” she said.

The tone quickly shifts as the camera pans to a narrow, dimly-lit stairwell.

“I’m sorry, should we be scared? Are you scared? I’m scared,” Ms Kennedy said.

“Okay, you need to see what this looks like. This is the stairway to heaven. Oh my god. Is this a joke? Surely this is a joke. Oh my god,” she said.

The video shows a set of stairs covered in silver ducktape and plastic wrap, leading to a landing where the walls appear to be partially demolished.

The wrong Airbnb address and directions were given to the pair, who turned up to what they described as 'hell'. Picture: Supplied.

As the two friends continue their exploration, their concerns grow.

They encounter a series of issues, including a comically small door, which Ms Kennedy remarks they will not fit through.

“I need a reference for height? Like, your head is taller than this door,” Ms Kennedy said.

The pair try to open the small silver door a few times before receiving a message that they “were emailed the wrong instructions and address”.

Making light of the situation they joke they were likely “breaking into a closet”.

When the tourists finally locate the correct address, at around 11pm local time, they are unable to gain access with the front door keys.

The TikTok video shows the hallway dimly lit with sections of the walls missing. Picture: Supplied.

"Airbnb have been extremely accommodating - refunding us, reimbursed our hotel stay and gifted us a voucher! We were traumatised, the hotel is therapy". Picture: Supplied.

“Okay, this is it, but now we can’t get in. Fantastic,” Ms Kennedy says.

“We’re abandoning ship”.

“This is a disaster,” Ms Marks says.

The tourists’ ordeal had initially garnered widespread attention on TikTok, where viewers sympathised with their situation.

“This is my worst nightmare,” one viewer commented.

“Omg, we had the exact same situation. Ended up ok but the entrance, lock etc was so weird, scary,” another wrote.

“Oh my god I’d be running haha,” a third commented.

Lauren Kennedy and Brooke Marks head to a hotel in Paris instead of their booked accommodation with Airbnb. Picture: Supplied.

In a follow-up video the next day, the pair recounted their initial shock upon arriving at their rental property and updated followers they had booked a “boujee hotel” to heal from their traumatic experience.

“We’ve got a hotel, thank god we are here and alive,” Ms Marks said.

“We love it here,” Ms Kennedy said.

The pair said Airbnb responded promptly and was very supportive.

“So as you know, we rocked up to our accommodation. It was an absolute disaster,” Ms Marks said.

Lauren Kennedy and Brooke Marks head to a hotel in Paris instead of their booked accommodation with Airbnb. Picture: Supplied.

Two Australian friends holidaying in Paris shared an unsettling TikTok video documenting their arrival. Picture: Supplied.

“Airbnb was so good to deal with it. They gave us a full refund.

“Then yesterday, I received an email saying that they gave us a refund, they’re going to reimburse us for the hotel stay, and they gave us a voucher. So that was amazing.

“So we think they might have seen our TikTok, and we feel really bad, but great customer service Airbnb. Thank you,” Ms Kennedy said.