Airbnb is a fantastic platform that really has changed the face of tourism itself by providing affordable, unique stays for travelers all over the world. We’ve personally been guests at 40+ Airbnbs, and manage 3 properties as hosts. With that said, here are some best practices and tips that we’ve learned over the years to help you have a fantastic stay at an Airbnb!
Booking an Airbnb
1. Read the reviews to spot trends. While it’s important to read the listing to understand the accommodation, I think it’s even more important to read the guest reviews. By reading then, you’ll uncover a lot of information that’s not on the listing itself. Was the place clean? Was it close to the attractions that it says it is? Was there construction happening nearby? Is the internet fast so you could work from there? The reviews can also give you a sense for how often that place books based on the number and frequency of reviews (and really, the more the better usually).
2. If no reviews, check for Superhost status. Sometimes you’ll come across listings that don’t have a lot of reviews because they’re new. These usually come at lower prices, just because you are taking a small risk by staying at an unproven place. However, if the host is a Superhost, chances are that they’ll have other properties listed. You can tap on their profile to see some of their other listings. There, you can see if they have anything in the same area, and read the reviews for those properties to see if you can find any specific trends that could apply to the new listing. If a Superhost has highly rated other properties, chances are you’ll have no problem with your stay and are even benefitting from the lower price!
3. Confirm amenities that you need. We’ve stayed at some Airbnbs that were unexpectedly barebones! So now, we always check to verify which amenities are available. If you’re staying for several days, check if there’s a washer and dryer available. Wi-Fi is always a must for us as well. Other things to look for: if it’s in an apartment complex, which floor is the unit on? Is there an elevator available? Is the kitchen stocked with pots, pans, plates and utensils? If there’s anything in particular you’re unsure about, you can always message the host to get clarification.
4. Review the total price with cleaning fees and taxes added in. When you search for listings, even with minimum/maximum price filters, you’re still not getting the full picture for pricing. This means that some cleaning or other fees might be higher in one listing over another, and you won’t be able to tell until you go to the detailed price page. Thankfully, Airbnb now has implemented a “total price” toggle that will include cleaning and fees. However, it does not include taxes. While this typically isn’t an issue if you have a specific area in mind, it does affect price across different regions. Some cities may have local or state taxes added in, while others won’t. So as you browse the listings, make sure to check the price details to see what kinds of taxes are being added in.
5. Check the map. While some listings may tell you which building complex or neighborhood it’s in, a lot of times you won’t know exactly where the Airbnb is. Checking the map on the listing will at least give you a general idea of the location. That way you can plan and see what attractions are nearby, or if there’s a grocery store within walking distance. If you do need more information though, you can always message the host and ask which street, building, or development the Airbnb is on so you can plan better.
6. Ask for a discount. This one is completely going to depend on timing! If you’re looking to book a place during the busy season, chances are that discounts won’t be readily available. However, if you do see that a particular listing has a lot of availability around the time that you’re looking at, then you may be able to ask for a discount. After all, sometimes hosts would rather have a place booked and generating revenue than not, so don’t be afraid to ask for a small discount (or tell them your budget and see if they’ll meet it).
7. Look for weekly or monthly discounts, even if you’re not staying that long. Airbnb has features for hosts where they can set a flat rate discount if someone books weekly or monthly. Sometimes these discounts can be pretty huge! So if you have a particular listing you’re interested in. Try to adjust the amount of time you want to book it for. Even if you’re only staying 5 days, you might get a better price if you book it for 7 days. Once we spent less booking a place for a month instead of the 3 weeks we wanted. And, even if you can’t use all the time there, you can always check out early.
8. Check if the Airbnb is stocked with toiletries/items you need. As much as we’ve learned to expect Airbnbs to be like hotels, sometimes that’s not the case. That means it’s not always a sure bet that you’ll have dish detergent, soap, shampoo and conditioner. Towels and linens should be provided, but even if you’re at the beach, you might not get beach towels. Make sure you check the listing itself for a list of what toiletries/personal items are included and make a note to bring some or swing by a grocery store upon arrival so you’re well stocked.
Staying at an Airbnb
9. Make sure you’ve received check-in information at least a day in advance. Your check-in information will likely contain entry codes for the front door and/or community gate (if gated), as well as any other relevant information like directions to the Airbnb. You can find this on the check-in information section of your reservation, or your host will be messaging this to you before your check-in. If you haven’t received it, make sure to contact your host!
10. Don’t be afraid to ask for early check-in or late check-out. It’s not easy to tell if your Airbnb is available before and after your check-in, so if you’re arriving early/need to leave late, don’t be afraid to ask your host. After all, any opportunity that your host gets to make your stay exceptional is a benefit to them if it’s reciprocated with a good review if it’s earned!
11. Notify your host if something is broken when you arrive. A lot of Airbnb hosts manage their properties remotely, and their cleaning teams might not necessarily let them know when things break/don’t work. Notifying them of broken things at check-in helps with two things: 1) it makes it clear that you weren’t the one who broke them. And 2) it gives them an opportunity to get it fixed if it will enhance your stay.
12. Ask for local recommendations. Hosts sometimes leave pamphlets with information on local restaurants/attractions. You might also get lucky and have a detailed book/binder with recommendations for all kinds of things, like restaurants, shops, medical providers, grocery stores, etc. If you don’t see one of those at the Airbnb, you can always message your host for their recommendations too!
13. Be respectful! We see articles all the time about Airbnb guests throwing massive parties, or leaving water/gas running all day to spite their hosts. Don’t be like them! Remember that your host will rate you after your stay too, and many hosts to check guest reviews before deciding on accepting a booking, so please be respectful.
After Your Stay
14. Leave a review. This is helpful for a variety of reasons:
- You won’t be able to see your host’s review of you until you review them
- It helps future guests of that property understand what to expect if they book
- You can also leave private information for your host that won’t be shown to guests but can help hosts improve their experience. As hosts ourselves, we always appreciate when our guests let us know what little things we can do to make things better, while leaving a positive public review.
15. Don’t hesitate to contact your host if you left something behind. Try to do this as soon as possible! There’s a chance that the Airbnb will be turned over immediately for a new guest. Try to be as detailed as possible with information about your lost item. We’ve lucked out when we left something behind, and our host was kind enough to mail it back to us!
16. Read the review your host left for you. As mentioned above, your host typically will review you with public and private information after your stay. But, you need to review them first to access it too. Check out the review to see what public info will be accessible to future hosts, and if there is something there that is false, you can contact Airbnb support to get your issue resolved.
