If you'd asked me a year ago my opinion on Airbnb, I would have told you it was creepy, un-trustworthy, and frankly not worth it. Staying in someone's home couldn't be safe. The thought of sleeping in their bed, cooking in their kitchen, and using their shower gave me the heebie-jeebies. Can you blame me?
Flash forward to today, a year later, and I can proudly boast that I've stayed in four Airbnb homes - all fabulous. These four experiences, which I've detailed below, have converted me to an Airbnb enthusiast. What defines an Airbnb enthusiast? Someone who includes Airbnb in their accommodation hunt when planning any vacation. Someone who plans a vacation around a particular Airbnb's availability, or even goes as far as to plan a vacation entirely comprised of said Airbnb home. Someone who spends countless hours thumbing through Airbnb homes, saving favorites to prospective vacation wish lists, like a future bride pins photos of bouquets on Pinterest.
So what is Airbnb?
Airbnb was founded in 2008. Their mission is to connect "... travelers seeking authentic experiences with hosts offering unique, inspiring spaces around the world." In other words, Airbnb has made it easier than ever for travelers to book unique, affordable accommodations - from house boats to tree houses - something that's rattled the hotel industry. Here's why...
Why Travelers Choose Airbnb
In addition to providing accommodations, Airbnb continues to expand their offerings. Travelers hoping to experience a city outside of long museum queues or those wanting to completely avoid "touristy" temptations can enjoy Airbnb Experiences. These are curated tours lead by locals. Examples include food tours in Chicago to wolf encounters in Seattle. No joke.
Or, you can do your own thing with the help of their collection of Guidebooks. "A collection of all the best places in every city, as told by Airbnb hosts. Find everything from coffee shops and parks, to secret spots" (Airbnb). I found this to be particularly helpful when my family visited Kona, HI. Our host listed her favorite local beaches, two of which we visited with a trunk full of sand and surf gear she had available for us to use. Sure, most four-star hotels have a concierge, but do they have free gear available?
Depending on the destination, mid-range hotels can easily run from $200-$350+ a night. This includes a 600 sq. ft. room with two double beds (room for four - eye-roll), a TV, mini-fridge, mini-coffee maker (with oh-so-yummy coffee and stale dehydrated creamer), and a standard bathroom. The hotel is a chain, so you wake up in the morning to see your standard reproduction of a famous landscape photograph framed on the wall wondering if you're in Des Moines or Denver. For the same price (sometimes cheaper), you can have an entire Airbnb apartment or home to yourself. Multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a full kitchen and laundry room, patio, free parking...SOLD!
Having room to spread out is essential for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing. I think the main reason people get unhappy while traveling is the lack of space and privacy. In Paris, our Airbnb apartment had two beds, a full living room and kitchen, and two bathrooms. There were three of us, and we were quite comfortable. In Scotland, our Airbnb house had four bedrooms, three baths, a kitchen, living room, enclosed patio, laundry room, and yard full of bunnies and wildflowers (with a view of the nearby loch to boot)! In Broken Bow, our Airbnb cabin had three bedrooms with king-sized beds, and a game room with two pull-outs. Did I mention the fire pit, jacuzzi, four big-screen TVs and pool-table?
Sometimes these amenities cost less, and are more valuable than the ability to valet, order room service, or have someone make-up your bed every morning.
Things to keep in mind when booking
You will be charged a cleaning fee. It's included under the itemized cost you review prior to booking.
Put as many filters in as possible when perusing to ensure you get the amenities you want. For example, when selecting our Hawaii Airbnb, having an A/C unit was essential, but limited our available options. Likewise, specify how many beds and bedrooms you want, and be sure to check that they are real beds (pull-outs and sofa couches can sometimes be classified as beds).
Depending on the property, you may only be able to book an Airbnb for a set minimum number of days. Setting your travel dates when booking will keep you from falling in love with an Airbnb that doesn't meet your travel itinerary.
Unlike hotels, you do have to contact the host and be approved by them before you're able to book. Just because the Airbnb says it's available, you must be approved before booking is complete.
Your host should contact you prior to your check-in time. This communication is done via text and the app. When traveling abroad, you'll want to ensure you're able to access the app and texts without incurring international data roaming charges. Sometimes check-in is self-serve - other times you have to meet with the host in-person to collect keys and instructions. Read the reviews if you have any question about the check-in process - most reviewers will touch on this if it was difficult.
When reading the reviews, take note of guests’ experiences with the plumbing, electrical outlets, and hygiene essentials (such as hand-soap and toilet paper). All of the places I've stayed at had these, but I've read a few reviews where people have complained about the home lacking the essentials. We had a few burned-out lightbulbs in Paris, but that wasn't a deal-breaker.
Look for "Super Hosts" with lots of good reviews and verified accreditations.
Additional resources:
Read my blog post on the Paris Airbnb
Get inspired on Airbnb's Instagram page
AB
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