Not all Airbnb’s are created equal, but neither are all hotels. I’m sure you have all heard horror stories about Airbnb accommodations and hosts, I know I have. But I’ve heard just as many, if not more, about hotels. You can never be 100% sure what to expect when you arrive at your destination, and that goes for whether you booked your stay at a hostel, a motel, an Airbnb, or even a luxury hotel. But there are things you can do, steps you can take, to make sure that your stay is the best it can be. Or at least exactly how you expect it.
Research, research, research! I cannot stress this enough. Just like you would research the five star hotel you are thinking of booking and dishing out big bucks on, you should research the Airbnb accommodations and host as well. I’ve used Airbnb for my accommodations a few times to date, with another one on the books for this coming June, and luckily they have been smooth sailing. Except luck had nothing to do with it! When I first heard about the Airbnb service I had serious reservation about using them. Even though they had, at the time, already been around for quite a while, I was still skeptical of their legitimacy and most importantly, safety. After all you are essentially staying with a complete stranger.
Eventually though, I started to come around and was ready to test out this “new to me” way of finding a place to stay. But just as I’ve always done with hotels, I did my research (oh there it is again) before booking my first Airbnb experience. And that research made sure my trip was amazing and my stay exactly how I expected, and my next stay, and my next.
So to help you book your perfect Airbnb I’ve compiled a list of things you should consider and do before you hit the “Book” button. (Disclaimer: No list is fool proof and the unexpected can always pop up. This list is to help you make an informed decision, but always use your best judgement if something feels off.)
Find the Perfect Airbnb in 6 Easy Steps
1) Location Location Location
Ok so you decided to go to Rome or Paris or London, great! But where in Rome do you want to stay? Do you want to wake up to the view of the Eiffel Tower? Or do you want to be walking distance to Big Ben? Do your research on the different neighbourhoods in your city of choice and what’s important to you on your trip. Personally I always look for accommodations as close to everything I want to do and see as possible. I hate having to take public transit when I travel cause I feel it takes time away from exploring the city. Do you really want to waste an hour or two of your day going back and forth from your Airbnb? What if you want to pop back to your room mid day for a recharge, but it’s so out of the way? That is why I recommend familiarizing yourself with the neighbourhood you want to be in so that you know where to search once you log into Airbnb.
2) Ready, Set, Search
Now that you have an idea on location you can start your search. Airbnb has a few options when it comes to the type of accommodations available so you can narrow your search depending on your budget and what you feel comfortable with. For example you can book a private room where you share the kitchen, living area and bathroom with other guests or the host. Or you can book a whole apartment or house (great if you are traveling with a larger group). These options are more or less readily available in certain cities so don’t narrow your search down too much at the start. When I booked my stay in Prague I noticed it was easier to find a room over a whole apartment. But when I was searching for a place in Athens, whole apartments where much easier to come by then just rooms. So start your search broad and narrow down as you begin to see what’s available in the neighbourhood and your budget.
3) Picture Time
Pictures really do say a thousand words. Just as you would want to check out photos of the luxury five star hotel, you should go through the photos the host posted as well. After all this is the fun part! But are there photos posted? More than one? In this case do judge a book by its cover. I would never consider staying at a place that I have no idea what it looks like, and I don’t recommend it. The more photos the host has posted the better. Look through them and make sure the place is to your satisfaction visually. But at the same time don’t be a snob. Every country is different when it comes to living styles. For example, bathrooms tend to be smaller in Europe than in North America, so unless you are looking for a place to have spa days on your trip, keep these things in mind.
4) It's all in the Details
Did the host take the time to write a proper description of the room/apartment? Maybe they even talked about the neighbourhood, what’s close by, where to eat, how to get there, and so on. The more detail the host gave the better. To me that says they are being helpful and transparent, i.e. not hiding anything!
5) Reviews and Ratings
Read the reviews. Read the reviews. Read the reviews. As with the research I cannot stress this enough. First of if there are no reviews at all do not stay there. But if there are than read the reviews! See what other travellers are saying about the accommodations, the host, and the area. Not all reviews have to be amazing, but it would help if they are mostly great of course. If you do however come across a not so stellar rating see how the host responded (if at all) and if the situation was rectified. Most important, in my humble opinion, are the most recent reviews. Those will paint the most accurate picture of how the place and host is now.
6) Introduce Yourself
Now that you picked your neighbourhood, found the place you want to spend your nights, approved the photos, and determined the host isn’t some kind of crazy, it’s time to say “hi”. Message the host and introduce yourself. Some bookings require this anyway, but I recommend doing this before you even put in the request to book. Tell the host a bit about yourself, when you are looking to travel, and the reason for your trip. And (ding ding ding) ask a few questions! Make sure there is a reason for them to message you back. So let them know you are considering their room/apartment but would like some more info about x y z. Then see how quickly they respond to you and if their answers are informative, professional, and polite. If you feel satisfied with your correspondence with the host, book away!
If you follow these six simple steps you should be able to find the perfect Airbnb! Being equipped with all the information you’ll gather going through the process, your decision to book will be well informed. You will be familiar enough with the location, host, and accommodation that upon arrival you will know exactly what to expect. And when you get what you expect there is no disappointment and ruined trips.
Put the steps to the test
Before booking a stay through Airbnb halfway around the world, test out my steps in your own backyard. This way you can feel more comfortable that if something was to go wrong you’re around the corner from home, and not stranded in a city you don’t know with a language you don’t speak.
What I’m suggesting is to take a weekend getaway and play tourist in your own city. Or maybe take my road trip advice and get out of the city for a night. Either way you are not going very far yet you get a chance to see how the whole Airbnb process works for yourself. That way when you are ready to book a real vacation in another country you’ll know exactly what to do.
But don’t worry, I won’t leave you hovering above the “Book” button all by yourself. If you have any questions or want a second set of eyes on the place you found and are considering, please email me and I’ll be happy to help. And on top of that, use this Airbnb link to get a discount on your first booking. That should take some nerves out of your practice run at finding the perfect Airbnb!
Good luck and…
Safe Travels!
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