Travel Tip | How to Find a Great Airbnb
It’s always fun to go on a new adventure, but when you find the place you will call “home” for a few days or weeks doesn’t live up to your expectations, it can put a damper on the trip. Here are the things we consider to help find a great place to stay while we travel.
Search within your price range.
There is usually a wide range of prices to choose from. Some cities are more expensive than others, so if a particular city isn’t in your price range don’t give up. You can find a town or area close by that might be less expensive. There are also some pretty amazing places in the world that are very affordable to visit.
Search by location.
If you won’t have a car as you travel, you want to make sure you are walking distance to the places you want to visit or that public transportation is close by. You also want to get a general idea of what the area is like and how close you are to certain destinations including tourist spots, playgrounds, restaurants, or grocery stores.
Look for amenities you need. Make sure your Airbnb will have what you need while you are there. Most amenities are there to make your stay more comfortable, but be sure you have the ones that are important to you. The one that has been at the top of our list is a washing machine.
Look carefully at photos.
Sometimes you may find an amenity or a special touch in the pictures that isn’t mentioned in the description. Sometimes the less attractive features are not shown in the pictures, such as an entryway that isn’t as picturesque. If you want to know more about something that isn’t in the pictures, be sure to ask the host about it.
Use Google Street View to check out the location.
You may not be able to find the exact address there, but seeing the general area on street view can help evaluate if you like the neighborhood. There isn’t always info about the area in the description on Airbnb.
Understand the sleeping arrangements. If it matters to you who sleeps with who and if there are rooms or beds that need to be shared, make sure the arrangement of beds provided works for you. That information is usually in the description.
Ask questions if you don’t see the information you need to know.
Most hosts respond quickly, so you can most likely get the answer you need even if you’re wanting to make a decision soon.
Read the reviews.
Reviews can tell so much. Most people give their opinion about the safety and quality of the area, cleanliness, responsiveness of the host, and other topics that may not be in the info.
Understand the cancellation policies.
Make sure you know the last day you can cancel and get your money back. If you have a special circumstance, the host might also be able to work with you if you need flexibility with their policy. Just ask before you commit.
Understand the house rules.
Read the rules and make sure you can comply with them. Quiet hours, no shoe policy, and having extra guests over are some topics the rules may deal with.
Consider what level of the building the apartment is on.
This is good information to have if you know you don’t want to carry luggage or groceries up several flights of stairs, if you want to make sure you have a view from above, or if you want to know that you won’t be staying in a basement. There are pros and cons about being higher or lower. Just make sure you have what you prefer.
Be a good guest.
Keep the rules. Be a good neighbor. Leave the place tidy. The host will have the chance to leave a review on you, so make sure you keep the reputation of being a good Airbnb guest.
If you make these considerations, I’m sure you can find a great Airbnb for your next trip!