Airbnb Travel Tips
During my previous 50+ Airbnb rentals, I had absolutely amazing experiences and some that were less so -- some of the hosts I still keep in touch with, and a couple of the interactions were so disappointing, I can honestly say the experience ruined that portion of a trip. When does Airbnb make sense, what are the benefits and challenges, and how can you maximize the chance you'll have a good Airbnb experience? Read on!
When Airbnb makes sense. Airbnb offers the opportunity to live among locals and to have amenities many hotels do not offer. That said, for shorter stays (1-2 nights) or places that do not have as developed an Airbnb community, Airbnb is not my first choice. For longer stays, I prefer to rent an entire apartment so there are no personality (or scheduling, a.k.a. mid-day nap) conflicts that could be easily avoided by having a space to myself.
Perks. The space is almost always better, the locations tend to be more residential and therefore the restaurants more local, and the quirks of the apartments make each stay feel unique. Besides a kitchen, I love having a washing machine and often private outdoor space (specific filter options). Also, getting to interact with local hosts can be really special; besides personalized recommendations, I have gone out to dinner with and met hosts for coffee (at their invitation), and I've gotten really interesting perspectives on the places I’m visiting that no concierge would offer.
Challenges. A loud space, one that feels just a bit unsafe, or one that has a non-responsive or unexpectedly unwelcoming host can easily ruin an otherwise wonderful trip. When booking an Airbnb or other rental apartment, I am quite picky about where I stay -- which means it can easily take an hour or more to find the most desirable options (which not everyone wants to spend sifting through listings). Notably, Airbnb has been making a big push to remove the host-guest communication to automate the booking process and make the experience feel more like a hotel booking. However, their role has not changed; they will still do their best to push all communication (in the event of problems) to be dealt with at the host-guest level. It can be unexpectedly difficult to reach someone at Airbnb if you have (non-emergency) questions or problems with your host or accommodation.
DO:
1. Plan ahead. But be sure to read the cancellation policy. New listings do get added, but in general the better listings get booked early so once your travel dates are set, make your booking or at least start conversations with a host or two. Do note some of the strict cancellation policies and make sure you are comfortable with those terms before making a reservation.
2. Read reviews. Good hosts try really hard; if there are negative reviews, you are likely not dealing with a good host. It's a bad sign and not worth risking your trip. Look for commentary about noise, location, and host demeanor. A hosts response to a negative review is also very telling. As a guest, I find it incredibly difficult to write a critical review if the host is nice. I have to assume other guests feel the same. Assume any feedback is conservative and read between the lines.
3. Consider the location. Location matters. A lot. Look at a map carefully and understand where the apartment is relative to where you want to be. An extra ten to fifteen minutes walk may not seem like a lot when you're booking, but, for example, if you're going to Tokyo to practice at Hombu dojo, and you practice a couple times a day, that can quickly add up to an hour of extra walking a day.
4. Check the amenities. Certain amenities matter. For hiking and aikido trips especially, a washer is more than a convenience, it's a necessity. Know what you need and make sure it's included. Confirm those amenities are working during your email correspondence.
5. Know yourself. As an often solo female traveler, I initially preferred to rent from female hosts or couples. This was all about my own comfort level and minimizing any possible gender issues or discomfort that could be avoided. More recently, I have been a bit more comfortable renting from male hosts if there are a lot of superb ratings or in other subjective instances. Perhaps it goes without saying, but I wouldn't rent from a first time host if he is male and I am traveling alone.
6. Get a referral code. Before your first booking, ask a friend for theirs, or, better yet, use mine: www.airbnb.com/c/jhenis
DON'T:
1. Don't instant book. Ever. Make sure the instant book setting is off (which narrows your options to only hosts that agree to this function) and never instant book -- the best way to know if your host will make your experience better or worse is to communicate with them. Email the host and let their response (or lack of one) guide your decision. Find (it's less obvious now than it used to be) and use the 'contact the host' option on the page. The human component is an invaluable part of Airbnb. Don't remove that element.
2. Don't cheat yourself. Unless you’re really strapped for cash, don’t go for the cheapest option. Consider how much you would have paid for a hotel; an Airbnb is almost definitely less, but an extra $10 a night often gets you a much better location and experience. The pricing tends to fluctuate based on supply and demand. If you notice a lot of future availability on the calendar (another good way to check how in-demand a place is), it’s likely not a good deal. It’s priced that way for a reason.
3. Don't be scared to ask for a discount. Once you’ve started a conversation with a host (not in the first correspondence), it is possible to successfully request a pricing concession. Only do this if the situation seems appropriate (i.e. there is a lot of availability and there are other places you like equally). One approach is to say you really like their space but the price is a little bit outside of what you planned to spend. Although a bit uncomfortable at first, if you have other backups, it doesn’t hurt to ask (nicely). You’ll have more luck and negotiating power if you are staying during off-season, mid-week, or for an extended period of time.
4. Don't bother if there's a high deposit. To me, a high deposit says, "I don't trust you". As I guest, although I've never been charged the deposit, I don't want to worry that there is a $500+ hold on my card. An apartment with museum-quality furnishings is not a good place to rent if you want to relax.
5. Don't rent an unreviewed listing. Don't assume an apartment is wonderful simply because it is beautiful. Consider only if the host has fantastic ratings on his/her other listings and only if you're comfortable with some level of risk. While every host needs a first review, if you are just getting started on Airbnb, I don’t recommend being the first person to stay somewhere. Get your feet wet with a tried and true host and apartment that has gotten great feedback from prior guests. You’ll be glad you did.
6. Don’t forget. People are inviting you into their lives and their homes. Act accordingly. At first, it may feel like you have to be on your best behavior because of the reciprocal reviews post-stay. Initially that may feel a tad onerous; but over time, I have come to appreciate that while there are some forced formalities, the host-guest interaction starts with a respect that we sometimes skip with hotel staff (and other daily interactions). Maybe it forces us to think twice before hastily sending a text or email. And really, is that such a bad thing?