Tips for Booking an Airbnb

Do you have a large family that does not fit into one hotel room?  Are you like me and try to find a place to hide from your kids for at least a half an hour, because momma needs “quiet time?” Do you want to save money on your next trip? In this blog I’m going to give you some tips on how to book an Airbnb. Also, tips on how to get the most out of your budget.

Our family grew from 4 to 6 a couple of years ago.  We adopted two babies from the foster care system within the same year.  My husband and I wanted to continue traveling, even with a large family.  We had to find ways to save money on our trips.  Booking hotel rooms will be too expensive now, so I looked up Airbnb.  We have stayed in condo’s in Florida, Beach houses in Texas, Alabama, a town home in South Carolina, apartments in Paris and in Rome.  Over the years I have collected a few tips on how to save yourself money booking an apartment or house rental.

Tip #1- Narrow down the area you would like to stay in.  Prices tends to be more expensive the more centrally located you are.  We drove to South Carolina.  Staying right on the water wasn’t necessary for us since we had a car to drive.  We widened our map range and found condos and houses almost $100 cheaper than right on the water. In Rome, we wanted to be centrally located to walk to the historical sights.  We increased our budget slightly more for that convenience.

Tip #2- Use the filter tool. This can help you narrow down the type of house you want in your budget.  If air conditioning is a necessity or a kitchen to cook in, check the box.  Also, be sure to adjust your price range.

Tip #3- Make sure you include fees.  Some accommodations do not include their fees in the rental amount.  Please double check the cleaning, and security deposit fees.  Depending on the amount, it can get you off budget.

Tip #3- Read reviews. I will not book a house or an apartment if the reviews are low.  Personally, I want to see at least five reviews that are positive.  While I read them, I’m also looking for a few answers.  Is the apartment clean? Do they provide basic toiletries? Is there a nightclub next door or noisy neighbors?  You’ll be surprised what people reveal in their reviews.

Tip #4- Ask the host questions. Before asking questions, make sure the host is verified.  This is how you know if you are dealing with a real person.  A few questions that I’m glad I asked included: Does the apartment building have an elevator?  We traveled to Paris with babies and strollers, this was a lifesaver.  How quiet is the apartment? On our recent trip to Rome, the host mentioned that there is a restaurant downstairs and they provided ear plugs for us if we needed them.

When I tell people about our booking experience or how wonderful the house/apartment was on vacation, some say that they don’t know how to book. Some fear that it’s not safe.  I always tell them if you do your homework, read reviews, narrow down your search and stick to your budget, it’s a wonderful experience.  Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone and try something new.  Have you booked a house rental? How was your experience? Comment below.