Airbnb is my go-to and pretty much the only accommodation I use nowadays. For me, hotels are a thing of the past and Airbnb is now. Airbnb’s are not only cheaper 99% of the time, but in most cases, listings are nicer than actual hotel rooms. My favorite thing about Airbnb is the intimacy component. The connections you can make living with locals as a local during your stay is an experience the most lavish of hotels can’t even begin to try and replicate. The human touch is what keeps me coming back.
Whatever your reason is for picking Airbnb, whether it’s because you are searching for a last minute accommodation, a more affordable option or you’re like me and want the coziest home stay, this is how you can make sure you are picking the right Airbnb for you.
Like hotels, you must do your research before booking an Airbnb. Don’t just pick any old spot that looks good in the two pictures you skimmed through. Dig a little.
First,
Common sense I know, but always look for 5 star ratings. Don’t settle for anything less. The rooms are rated on six aspects of the hosting experience. These include, the accuracy, the location, communication, check-in, cleanliness and value. The Airbnb you are thinking of selecting should have accumulated five stars on all six fronts. If there is anything less than five stars for the cleanliness or communication category, you should move to the next posting. Those two are definitely going to be the most crucial aspects to get right during your stay. There is nothing like a non-existent host, a dirty bathroom or dirty sheets. Been there, done that. Never again! That said, there are THOUSANDS of great hosts on this site. Make sure to read the first and second pages of reviews on the host’s page. If you have time to read more, I recommend doing so. However, the first two pages are the most recent visitors and the best predictors of what your own experience will be like at this location. Try to notice the length of the reviews too. Of course, it’s a great sign if the reviews are long, detailed and glowingly positive.
Then,
Read the About this listing section and the host descriptions. In my experience, there has been a direct correlation between the one liner descriptions and the helpfulness of the host upon arrival. You want to feel like you know the place inside and out before clicking the big red “Book” button. You need to get the vibe through the hosts’ written descriptions that they are excited to share their home with you and are passionate about the hosting experience. Make sure the About this listing section is extremely detailed and answers all of your travel questions and meets all your travel needs. This section should have a lengthy write up under the Space section, provide guidelines on guest access, the neighborhood, check-in and check-out times under house rules and insight on how to get around for starters. If you need to be in a certain part of town, to quickly get to an event or attraction, make sure you read into the neighborhood and check out the location tab at the top of the listings page which will also include a visual map of the area. Take your time and get to know the place. If you can’t paint a good picture of the space and the profile is lacking, move to the next posting. The profile wasn’t important to them and they don’t deserve your business.
Next, Check out ALL of the pictures and then review the accuracy rating of the accommodation another time. Does the bed look like it can really fit two people like the description says? Is the Kitchen up to par for the few nights you want to cook in? Do you think you can shower in that tub for seven nights? You want to feel as comfortable and clean as you would hanging around your own home.
Also,
If the host has a detailed About this listing section and glowing reviews, you need to contact the host before booking anything. Don’t be lazy and choose the “instant book” option. Even if the listing is advertised as an “entire home/apartment” which usually means the host owns the place but doesn’t stay there while guests are present, you should have a short introductory conversation with your prospective host. It’s important to make sure that they answer in a timely fashion, are personable and communicative. If it takes the host three days to respond to an initial hello or if they are short with you right off the bat, they probably aren’t going to be as accommodating and helpful as you would like them to be upon your arrival. It’s important to stay away from disinterested, unfriendly Airbnb hosts of accommodations located in foreign places you have not yet visited. They are less of an issue if you are heading to a familiar place. In a foreign place, you want your hosts to be your ally and your key source of information on the areas hidden gems and the heads up for places and areas to avoid at all costs.
And definitely,
Look for the SuperHost Badge.
If a particular host you are looking at does not carry this badge, this shouldn’t steer you away from the host in anyway. It’s just huge bonus points for the host who carries this badge. If you decide to book this place, you should feel VERY confident that you are going to have a stellar experience. To become a Superhost, Airbnb hosts must have hosted at least 10 trips, maintain a 90% response rate or higher, receive a 5 star rating at least 80% of the time, and have never canceled a reservation as a host. This is not easy criteria to meet. So, if you stumble across a SuperHost and the About this Listing section is detailed, the most recent reviews are as positive as it gets, and the price is right. You should book ASAP.
Lastly, this is an Indicator of a good, quality host:
This means this place is HOT and where most travelers searching for a place in the area want to stay and end up trying to book. This location is a hot commodity and once you read the reviews and posting description to make sure the location, check in and check out times and accommodations work for you and your itinerary, you should book the spot and book it fast!
*The featured photo was taken by photographer Padurariu Alexandru.