Staying in Airbnbs can be an amazing adventure. They are typically cheaper than a hotel, and they have more amenities available. Best of all, there is always an Airbnb available within a certain budget that can meet exact criteria.
When choosing an Airbnb, doing your research is important. In 7 steps, you can learn everything you need to know about the place in question and the area around it, from how it fits into your itinerary to how quickly the host responds.
Staying in terrible lodging can easily ruin a trip, but there are a few different ways to avoid that mishap. With an Airbnb, you will have more amenities and options than staying in a hotel. Here are 7 steps to help you choose the best Airbnb for your needs.
7 Steps to Choosing a Good Airbnb
Nothing is worse than going on a trip and staying in a place that is rundown or has a bad atmosphere. No one wants to be responsible for picking the bad Airbnb for your girls’ trip or bachelor party. From picking a centrally located place to messaging the hosts, there are several ways to pick a great Airbnb.
When looking for the perfect Airbnb, think about the trip you are planning and make sure it suits your personal needs. Airbnbs have options for every type of trip, and you can choose filters that meet your exact needs. You can even adjust price ranges while browsing, so the ones that are not within your budget will not be tempting you.
Read the Reviews
This is one of the most important steps. Reading the reviews on every Airbnb is non-negotiable. Of course, looking through the pictures the host provides gives some sense of security, but they only show what the host wants us to see. The pictures shown by the host cannot express if there is a strange odor or dirty sheets on the beds.
However, disgruntled people who stayed in a crappy Airbnb will be sure to include those details in their reviews. People who have had a good experience will do the same, leaving raving reviews about a place. Consider these things when looking through Airbnb reviews:
- Check for guest pictures for a real idea of what the Airbnb is like
- Check for responses from the owner under negative reviews
- Check reviews on multiple websites
While the host’s pictures may not give the full picture, guests can also upload their own pictures. You should also pay attention to how a host responds to positive and negative reviews, even checking multiple sites to get a better idea of the truth, avoiding any potential mishaps when choosing your Airbnb destination.
Keep Your Itinerary in Mind
Staying in a centrally located Airbnb is a game-changer. It makes most trips a breeze if you are just a few blocks from the museums you want to visit or the conference center you need to get to. It can even save you money on paying for Ubers, taxis, or parking.
It also makes your stay more enjoyable if you are able to step outside of your Airbnb and walk to a cool restaurant or bar. Be sure to look up which area is best for your planned activities.
Think of the kind of stay you are going to have. Do you need an Airbnb with a full kitchen? Check the filter for “kitchen” when you are searching. Limited on packing space? Pick an Airbnb with a washer and dryer so that you do not have to pack as many clothes.
Keep the weather in mind. If it is during the summer and you are staying in a place like Texas, you will want to stay in a place that includes an air conditioner. Or, if you are going to a place like Colorado for a ski trip, pick a place that has a heater or an indoor fireplace.
(Not sure how to make an itinerary? Check out this article on how to plan a trip for all the tips and tricks to make the most of your vacation!)
Research the Neighborhoods
While picking a centrally located Airbnb is ideal, be sure it is in a safe neighborhood. It can be a little difficult picking the right place to stay in unfamiliar territory, but it is usually easy to find crime rates and reports for most major neighborhoods.
The Airbnb reviews are likely to hint at the safety of the neighborhood. The reviews might also reveal the condition of the streets, which can tell you what kind of shoes or clothing will suit the area.
Reading the reviews can also help you pick a place that has some great restaurants nearby or grocery stores that are within walking distance. You can even do a search using the street address of the Airbnb and see exactly what is nearby.
The Airbnb website also has filters for individual neighborhoods for major cities to help narrow down your search.
What Is Your Transportation Situation?
Sometimes, public transportation is necessary. Consider the locations of these places if you will need public transport:
- Consider the location of the nearest subway. Where does it go?
- Is there a bus stop nearby? How often does it come?
- Will it be easy to find an Uber in the area you will be staying in?
Of course, if you have a car, your options for Airbnb locations are wider. That being said, you still want to stay in a place that is located in an area that works for your itinerary. But it can be nice to have more options to choose from since you can drive to most locations.
If you are going to have a car, check out the parking situation at your Airbnb. Some Airbnbs offer free parking, but you can also see if street parking is available nearby. The listing will indicate the parking situation, and there is also a filter on the Airbnb website that allows you to see listings that include free parking.
Response Time of the Host
Always message the host before booking a place. You want to choose an Airbnb with a host that responds quickly. Most of the listings include the important information you need, but if you have a question, it is good to have a host that can answer right away.
The listings include cancellation policies, house rules, amenities, and a little description about the stay. If the check-out times do not work for you, you can message the host and discuss a time that accommodates everyone.
Also, if problems arise, you want to have a host that is easily accessible so that your stay is as easy going as possible.
Use the Filters
When searching for the best Airbnb for your needs, use the filters to pick the best one. Utilizing the filters can tailor the perfect Airbnb and weed out the ones that do not meet your criteria. They have filters for almost everything, including:
- A filter called “Property Type” allows you to choose what type of property you wish to stay at. If you want to have an entire place to yourself, that is an option. Or, if you are perfectly okay with just having a room in a house, there is an option for that as well.
- A filter called “Amenities” that allows you to select specific needs exists as well. Amenities include things like having a kitchen to having shampoo and certain appliances. It also extends to self-check-in and options to see whether the room is baby-friendly, containing a crib or high chair.
- A filter called “Unique Stays” exists as well, allowing you to choose from a list of truly interesting housing options. The options range from houseboats and treehouses to caves and castles. No matter what adventure you want to plan, this feature can make it all the more memorable.
Special accommodations, house rules for pets and smoking, and all sorts of other features can be searched for with filters. Whether you wish to ensure certain needs are met or check out some of the options you never knew possible, filters are an amazing place to hone in on your dream Airbnb.
Check the Fees
At first look on the Airbnb site, the stays might look reasonably priced. Yes, $80 a night might seem like a great deal, but be sure to check all the fees that are added to the stay. Some examples are cleaning fees, service fees, and occupancy taxes.
When looking at the map of all the Airbnb options, the price per night does not include the fees that are required for that stay. All the fees quickly add up, so the place you thought was $80 a night might end up costing $100 a night.
- Almost every Airbnb charges a cleaning and/or service fee, but the price can vary at each place. The host is in control of how much they charge.
- Some hosts charge a fee for cancellation, or they do not give a 100% refund. There may also be additional charges for adding amenities, such as the use of a washer and dryer, wifi, or late check-in.
Most hosts charge a fee for breaking any house rules. The house rules are displayed on the listing, so be sure to thoroughly read the house rules before booking. Most of the house rules include their policies on smoking within the Airbnb when to keep the noise level down and inviting additional people to stay
What Do Guests Want in an Airbnb?
Almost every guest wants to get the most bang for their buck. An Airbnb that is reasonably priced offers great amenities and is near plenty of shops and restaurants.
It is very convenient to stay in an Airbnb that has a full kitchen so that you can whip up your meals or reheat your leftovers easily. A washer and dryer are good for those who are traveling with kids that tend to make a mess of their clothes.
Safety and cleanliness is a major concern for people staying in an Airbnb as well. You can message the host to ask questions on how they prepare the space in between guest stays, such as what steps they use to ensure the cleanest stay for their guests.
Always ask questions. These Airbnbs can double as someone’s home, so ask the host any questions you might have so that you can be as comfortable as possible during your stay. Plus, it never hurts to double-check what is on their listing.
(Now that you know how to choose the perfect Airbnb, you’ll want to check out the coolest Airbnbs in the US!)
Conclusion
When staying in an Airbnb, it is necessary to read everything included on their listing page. Read the cancellation policy carefully before booking since some hosts do not give total refunds.
Read their house rules thoroughly. Some hosts charge for every single infraction, which can become costly. The Airbnb host is in charge of what they allow in their place and how much they charge for violating their house rules.
Double-check with amenities are included. You might need to provide your towel or shampoo. Some Airbnbs might not have a smoke alarm, either, so beware if you plan on cooking or using an indoor fireplace.
Most importantly, pick a place that you and your party are comfortable with. If you are staying with a group, make sure everyone is on board with the Airbnb. No one wants to feel uncomfortable with the place they will be sleeping and showering.
It would also be beneficial to you and the host to mention if you are staying for a specific reason. If you are staying at an Airbnb to celebrate someone’s 30th birthday, you might want to give the host a heads up in the event loud noise is not allowed after a certain time. Or, if you are traveling with an infant, certain Airbnbs might not be safe for a child.
(If you found this article beneficial, then you may want to check out these tips for doing an Airbnb experience!)