5 Tips for Popping your AirBnB Cherry!
I was a bit hesitant to use AirBnB at
first. I was nervous to enter somebody
else’s home instead of opting for the safety of a hotel. I’ve been swayed by the charms of AirBnB,
though, and always check my options on AirBnB before any other hotel booking
site. The prices are almost always
cheaper, there’s heaps more variety and it gives you a chance to make some
friends along your travels. Here are
some tips for a fail-safe booking experience, to keep you feeling safe and
enjoying your holiday.
The title image is of the AirBnB I stayed at in Moss, Norway, which was a cosy annex that overlooked the sea.
1. Work out your budget, and use the price sliders
The price sliders are fantastic. They give you an idea of the average price
for a place in your chosen location, so you get a rough idea, but you can slide
it down so you only view places in your budget.
There’s no point looking at fancy accommodation if it’ll only make you
pine!
2.
Use map view
Use the map to find somewhere to stay. Find the location and plug it into Google
Maps. How far is it (walking distance if
you’re walking) from the nearest bus stop?
Even better, can you walk to all the sites you want to see? Even if a
BnB located inner-city is a few dollars more a day, you could save in public
transport if your chosen sites are in walking distance.
3.
Check the facilities of the AirBnB
Because AirBnB can offer you such a huge
range of accommodation styles (up for some yurting, anyone?), it’s important to
check that your needs will be met.
Sometimes basics like running water and showers won’t be on the list, so
check carefully! I usually check to see if breakfast is included or if I have
access to kitchen facilities to prepare some breakfast. If I’m travelling for a long time (or using
an AirBnB to break up some bouts of camping) I also check for laundry
facilities and wifi. If internet access
is important to you, it can be worth messaging the Host beforehand, to confirm
that their connection is up to scratch, especially if you’re heading off the
beaten track.
Nicholas sitting on the balcony overlooking Loch Ness in the beautiful guest house we found on AirBnB.
4.
Read reviews
So you’ve found a place with a perfect
location, price and it’s got all the comforts you’ll need – excellent! Scroll down, and read the reviews. They’re there for a reason! Because AirBnB is growing all the time, some
places might not have any reviews, but this doesn’t mean you should necessarily
discount them. If you’re feeling wary,
pick someone with great reviews or look for the SUPERHOST icon, which means
multiple visitors have nominated them as being particularly special.
5.
Keep in contact
It hasn’t happened to me (yet) but I’ve
heard stories of guests rocking up at their destination and their host has
forgotten they were coming. AirBnB send
lots of emails (maybe too many) in the leadup to your stay, so when you get
these, send your host a message. Let
them know you’re excited to be visiting their area and ask for some suggestions
for sites or local eateries. Ask for
directions and confirm their address and phone number. Be friendly and get them excited to have you
as a guest.
In Glasgow, I stayed in the spare room of a young couple in this beautiful old building
And that’s really all there is to it! Finding accommodation through AirBnB is easy,
and I’ve only had positive experiences (or when I haven’t, they’ve been my own
fault… not following my own advice!).
Hosts are almost always friendly, most of them are up for a chat, but
are all happy to let you do your own thing.
I’m usually keen to talk their ear off and get the local low-down and
hear their travel stories! These people
are usually travellers just like you, who want to experience local culture.
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