8 Tips for Booking the Perfect Airbnb
Since Airbnb has taken over the travel industry, more people have wanted to book with Airbnb but are unsure where to start. It can be overwhelming looking through Airbnb because there are so many options! But don’t worry! I have booked Airbnbs for every trip I have planned both locally and internationally, so this guide will review the best formula for finding the perfect Airbnb. Finding an Airbnb may take a little longer than finding a hotel, but it is SO worth the time, I promise!
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#1 Airbnb Tips: Use filters
Filters for Airbnb Amenities - Airbnb tips for booking with airbnb
Airbnb has a lot of filters you can use to narrow down the search results to find exactly what you want. Using filters is an important Airbnb tip if you want something specific or Airbnb amenities, such as a pet-friendly accommodation, a hot tub, or even a kitchen. It is also important not to assume every listing will have what you consider the essentials since Airbnb offers many unique accommodations.
There was a time I booked a last-minute lake trip mid-summer and didn’t thoroughly look through the listing and the Airbnb amenities because it had great reviews and ratings. When I arrived, it was SO hot, and I was looking everywhere for the AC. Yup, you guessed it. It didn’t have AC. I regretted not using filters and looking through the listing to confirm its amenities.
If there are must-have Airbnb amenities you want, make sure to use the filters to ensure you find an Airbnb that has it!
#2 Airbnb Tips: Browse past the first page
The top-rated and most-rated Airbnb listings are on the first page, so it can be easy to get stuck there. Listings on the next few pages may not have as many reviews but could have better deals. I try to flip through every page when looking for an Airbnb. Yes, it can be tedious, but the hidden gems are past the first page, so don’t get stuck!
#3 Airbnb Tips: Read reviews
Read reviews - Airbnb tips for booking with airbnb
Reading reviews is a very important Airbnb tip before booking anything. When looking for an Airbnb, I won’t even look at a listing unless it has at least ten reviews and over a 4-star rating. I feel more comfortable booking accommodations when there are more reviews.
Reading reviews can help you understand what the host, accommodation, Airbnb amenities, and location are like, so you can have a better sense if it will fit what you want. Keyword searching in the reviews is another great way to see if the accommodation has something specific you want or do not want. When Alex and I are going on a business trip, we will search for “WiFi” or “slow” to make sure the WiFi speeds will be able to handle our work. If we are going to a city, we will search for “loud” or “noise” to make sure we won’t be hearing sirens all night (we neglected to do that once in NYC, and it was awful). There was also a time we could not figure out whether an Airbnb accommodation had a bathroom or not, so we searched for “bathroom” in the reviews to find the answer. Keyword searching in the reviews is a great way to dive even deeper into figuring out if the Airbnb accommodation will be a good fit for what you want.
With all of that said, don’t let one negative review turn you off from booking an Airbnb. Sometimes a negative review will talk about how they wished the light switches were in a different location… I’m not kidding, I have seen that. It is good to read the negative reviews but not let them turn you off unless what they are talking about is important to you.
#4 Airbnb Tips: Read through the listing
I know this sounds silly to mention, but it is so important to read through the entire listing to make sure you know exactly what the Airbnb offers. I always read through the entire listing, look through the Airbnb amenities section, and browse all of the pictures on an Airbnb listing. It helps me figure out if the Airbnb is what I want.
A great example of why reading through an entire listing is important is when I was looking for Airbnbs in Utah. I wanted to make sure Alex and I would have a kitchen with a microwave to cook our dinners, so I checked off “kitchen” in the search filters. I found the cutest Airbnb and immediately fell in love. When I was looking through pictures, I couldn’t locate where the kitchen was… As I read through the listing, I noticed at the bottom it noted it only had a refrigerator. After that, I always read through the entire listing to make sure I had a full understanding of what exactly the Airbnb offers.
#5 Airbnb Tips: Check for additional fees
airbnb fees - Airbnb tips for booking with airbnb
A per-night rate for an Airbnb may look great, but there could be additional fees that add up to make the total cost of your stay more expensive than you thought. Sometimes an Airbnb may have a low per-night rate but a high cleaning fee, which makes it more expensive than another Airbnb that has a higher per-night rate but lower cleaning fee. There may also be a fee for traveling with a pet or a large group of people. Not every listing has additional fees, so it is helpful to check the total cost breakdown and review the charges. It is an important Airbnb tip to compare the total cost of each listing before making a final decision on which Airbnb to book!
#6 Airbnb Tips: Message the host
message the host - Airbnb tips for booking with airbnb
This tip is simple but important! If you have any questions about the listing, message the host before booking it. Airbnb hosts are helpful and quick to provide the information you need. I never hesitate to reach out with questions I have, even if it is to confirm the Airbnb has a microwave. The “contact host” button is at the bottom of each Airbnb listing.
#7 Airbnb Tips: Negotiate the price
Yup, you read that correctly. You can negotiate the price of an Airbnb. Not many people know this, but there is something called a “special offer,” where an Airbnb host can send a discount code to use in the booking process. Now, I am not saying you should do this all the time. You have to be respectful because these are locals renting out their homes and rooms. Honestly, we have never done this because we have never had a long-term stay or last-minute booking.
I only recommend trying to negotiate the price if:
You are looking to stay at the Airbnb long-term. Airbnb hosts are usually open to offering a discount if you will be staying at their Airbnb for longer than a week.
You are booking last-minute. If an Airbnb host still has an opening last minute, they are more likely to be open to negotiating the price, so it doesn’t go unused. However, if you are traveling during peak season, it is unlikely to get a lower rate.
If you fall into one of the above categories and are looking to negotiate the price, make sure to contact the Airbnb host before booking the Airbnb. If they agree to provide a discount, you will have to use the code during the booking process. Again, please be respectful to the hosts, and do not expect to get a discount code.
#8 Airbnb Tips: Save your favorites
Airbnb favorites - Airbnb tips for booking with airbnb
If you aren’t ready to book an Airbnb but find a few you love, you can save them! Airbnb allows you to create lists where you can save your favorite listings. I use this feature even if we aren’t planning a trip, but I want to see what accommodations are out there to create a realistic budget for a future trip. I can’t tell you how many cute and unique Airbnbs I have saved all over the US! Using Airbnb’s save feature will allow you to remember your favorites and be ready when you are ready to book with Airbnb.
Now that you have the best formula for booking the perfect Airbnb and Airbnb tips, it is time to book one! Remember to go through each of these steps and Airbnb tips while searching for an Airbnb so you can find the perfect accommodation. And if you want $35 off your first stay with Airbnb, you can use our code!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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