That sounds like an awful experience, but I would guess that you’re much likelier to be a victim of theft at a hotel than at a residential home.
This seems like a made up guess, hotels have security and 24x7 surveillance and staffing. Further, at a hotel, there are folks you can turn to. AirBnB's service department is invisible. AirBnB's online complaint process feels more like a trial which places the burden of proof on the customer, rather than a hotel, whose employee's often go out of their way to make things right.
For example, if you're harmed at a decent hotel, the staff will call the cops on your behalf and do their own investigation. AirBnB will more likely require you to submit a completed police report to their online portal before they start to look into it.
But whatever shit happens. It was cheap so maybe buywer beware.
What was surprising was the flacid and uncaring support from AirBnB. They insisted on charging for time stayed (the evening of check-in) and refused to refund their fees and the cleaning fees. Why? Made no sense to me given Amazon's eagerness to make refunds for goods with actual COGS.
Haven't done it again since and I travel > 100 days a year.
To break into an apartment, walk up to the street door, ring any neighbour's doorbell and say the name of any company that delivers parcels, newspapers or advertising in that area.