u/ElectricalMix5716

After a brutal 12-hour travel nightmare where Booking.com left my group stranded in Konkan (we arrived and the property manager said it wasn't an authorized booking), I am done with mainstream aggregate apps.
The problem is, all the actual "vibe" and aesthetic hidden gems in Konkan are on Instagram Reels. But trying to book them is a joke—there are no official links, just "DM for details" or sketchy WhatsApp numbers that don't feel legitimate.
How do you guys bridge this gap? Is there a reliable way to verify authorized owners or registered homestays/villas from social media so you don't get scammed? Or is there an alternative platform that actually lets you browse and book authentic, fully authorized villas via video?