I live in Airbnbs, permanently. I am quite surprised that Airbnb doesn’t have a member’s reward program. If they did, I would be double platinum status. That being said, I have probably lived in / booked / stayed in over 130 Airbnbs in my lifetime and have spent as much time on that platform as a bride-to-be on pinterest.
I know exactly what to look for when making a booking decision, long or short term. Here are some helpful tips on choosing the right Airbnb for your trip and ensuring that you encounter a pleasant stay, sans unpleasant surprises.
TIP #1: Don’t book places without speaking to the host first
Plenty of homeowners have joined the platform without a clue about how to host. They think it’s enough to just list an apartment in a decent location, get bookings, transfer keys and leave you alone. With 100% markups on almost all Airbnb listings these days, I expect a nice experience with an experienced host. I like to get a feel for the host, ask them all the right questions, see how fast they respond, and gauge if they will tend to my needs or not. The host’s response will give you the right feeling about whether you should book or not. So wait until you have a conversation.
TIP #2: Always ask the host to provide a wifi speed test
Most experienced and accommodating hosts will be happy to provide you with a wifi speed test and show proof of that speed. They should know this information because working remote is becoming increasingly popular and this is one of the first questions anybody will ask. If you are booking a long term stay, they should provide you with a snapshot of the speed test and they can do so in the platform chat.
TIP #3: Don’t blindly trust the reviews
In my experience, the reviews are never honest enough. People default to being too nice and leave out important details that would have been nice to know. You should read them anyway to see if you can find at least one honest review that mentions both the good and the bad. I am not implying that people lie… but well… people lie. So actually yeah. This is why tip#1 is essential. Your conversation with the host will tell you everything you need to know.
TIP #4: Look for important details in the photos
I find that most properties these days use honest and up to date photos, but once in a while, the photos are really tricky. The photographer will always choose a focal point for your eyes, but you should really pay attention to the detail. Nice decor means nothing if the unit doesn’t have enough sockets for all of your tech. If you are using the mobile app version, you can actually pinch and zoom in. I look for details such as cooling or heating units, plugs and sockets, lamps or mobile lighting for working and the big one: mirrors. For some reason, Airbnb hosts don’t seem to care about full length mirrors. This is the struggle of a female digital nomad. Look for details that matter to you in the photos and get to know the place before you arrive.
TIP #5: Booking long term upfront vs short term
For short term stays, I just stick to booking on the platform. For long hauls that extend over two months, I much prefer to wait until I get a feel for the place in person. This is always a risk, but one I am willing to take. You might not be as much of a commitment-phobe as me, but I struggle to want to pay 3 months upfront for an apartment or house I’ve never seen. If it’s not high season in the country you are going to and you think you can risk it, I recommend booking only a short amount of time upfront and then waiting until you get there to see if you wish to extend. Most hosts prefer to keep the current renter and are happy to block off days for a certain amount of time. If your host is putting pressure on you to book a huge amount of time upfront, I would check the cancelation policy. Most listings do not fully refund you and you do not want the headache of trying to get out of a booking when it’s too late. I am a big fan of “pay as you go”.
TIP #6: Always read the cancelation policy, carefully
Every listing has their own cancellation policy. It can certainly get confusing and overwhelming, but these are the freedoms hosts are given when creating their listing. If you really aren’t sure about your trip and need the comfort of knowing you can fully cancel, use the filters at the top of the platform to only show listings with “free cancellation.” This might limit your options, but at least you will book worry free. Some cancellation policies will allow a 50% refund, depending on when you cancel. You must cancel X days before the trip to receive X refund. This is information you need to read carefully as well as double check with the host.
TIP #7: Don’t be shy to ask for a deal
You know the saying, “don’t ask, don’t get!” Airbnb hosts want to maximize their profits and I get it. I am a business owner too. However, there is always wiggle room. They want your booking, your positive review and possibly, your return business. I almost always ask for a discount (especially if I am booking with a rather new host) and I almost always get it! It’s not a big deal to dish out 10-20% off knowing they will get an immediate booking. I pay attention to similar listings and I try to come up with a fair deal. What’s the worst that can happen? They say no and you either find a better deal or book it anyway.
