Accommodation
Tips to selecting the right Airbnb accommodation for you
No longer are travellers at the mercy of big hotels or motels. Today we have so many more options for finding great accommodation. Sites like Airbnb have opened up so many opportunities for places to stay, and often it is less expensive (especially if travelling as a group or a family).
So if you are interested in using Airbnb we have some tips today to help you find your perfect place.
Choose your area first
Before you sit down to start looking through properties, it’s important to decide on exactly where you want to be at your destination. This is less important if you are staying in a small town, but if you are heading somewhere like New York there are loads of different areas to consider. So think about where you will be spending most of your time sightseeing or eating out, and keep that in mind when choosing your area. Because even though Brooklyn might be cheaper than Downtown, you will end up spending lots of time in cabs or on the subway which might put a dampener on things for your trip.
Add filters to narrow your search
Now that you know where you want to be it’s time to let Airbnb know what’s important to you. This is where the filters come in, so fill in things like how many bedrooms you want (or just a room), parking preferences, how long you want to stay and so on. This weeds out any properties that don’t fit the bill, so you won’t end up falling in love with a place that doesn’t suit you perfectly or is not available when you need it.
Look at average prices in the area
Before you set an upper limit on the price you’re willing to pay, it’s a good idea to have a look at the average prices that pop up based on your search. You could even compare this to hotels in the area just to see the difference before you decide which way to go. Most likely it’s best to avoid anywhere that is significantly cheaper than everywhere else, as there’s usually a good reason for it. If everything comes up way above what you are willing to spend, it could be time to go back to the area search and see if there is somewhere close by that could also suit your needs for a bit less cash.
See what other travellers have to say
The reviews on Airbnb are really helpful when it comes to deciding on a property. A host is going to be given feedback from people who have stayed there, and you can read what is said. Check that the reviews are recent, and if there are no reviews it may be a bit of a risk to select the property as it means that potentially you would be their first visitor. On the reviews you can see comments about whether things worked in the property, whether it was bigger/smaller than described, whether the host was helpful (some will even pick you up from the airport!) and whether people would go and stay there again. This gives you a good feel for the place before you book. A good review can also help you choose between two properties, so do read them if you can.
Go through the photos carefully
See if you like the feel of the property, and the layout. Does it look neat and tidy? Are there enough rooms and beds for you and your group? If this is a splurge holiday or special occasion, does it give you the wow factor?
Read the detailed description carefully
Most hosts will have spent some time on their description to let you know all about the property and the offering. For instance some hosts require you to bring your own sheets and towels which would not be ideal say if you were on your way to your honeymoon. Find out here what floor the apartment is on, are there stairs or a lift, what is the mechanism for obtaining the key, what is the check in/out time, and so on.
Now book it!
The thing with Airbnb is that you can’t hold a reservation, so once it’s gone – it’s gone. If you like a place and you are ready to go, now is the time to book it. Some hosts offer Instant Book, which means you, can book the property without the host needing to approve you. Otherwise, be sure to have your profile picture up and all of your particulars filled out before you contact the host to enquire about the property for your dates. Let them know who you are, who you are travelling with, and what your plans are. From there you can sit back and wait for the approval to come through, and then you will know that you have made a great decision on where to stay.
Have you had a good experience with Airbnb? We would love to hear your tips in the comments section for how to ensure you get a great property.
Related links:
The neat Airbnb feature you might not know about
Over60 Airbnb hosts share their advice for being a great host
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