WHAT TO KNOW WHEN BOOKING AN AIRBNB for Beginners!

Things to know before you book your first airbnb!

Airbnb’s have become extremely popular in the last 10 years! With booking our fair share, we understand why! It allows you to have the comforts of home. It doesn’t feel as sterile as commercial hotels and can be much cheaper!

1. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

This is SUPER important! Think about what is important to you!

Our requirements for our Airbnb’s are:

  • There must be a kitchen in some way – due to we like to save money and cook our own food. At least a way to cook our own food. Espcially if we aren’t bring any of our camp kitchen.
  • Comfortable bed.
  • Safe looking.
  • Coffee maker or a way to heat water for some to make.
  • Depending on our trip – Wifi & a TV.

2. READ THE REVIEWS & the WHOLE LISTINGS INFORMATION

This is SUPER important! Read a lot of them too! And make sure you take note of what the reviews say about the items on your must-have list!

Along with reading as many reviews as possible, read the WHOLE LISTING INFORMATION! This couldn’t be more important! Does it have enough beds? Do you have to bring your own bedding? Does it have cameras? How is the parking? Does it have all the amenities like bath products, kitchen utensils, etc.?

3. READ THE CANCELLATION POLICY

Since Covid, this is super important! A lot of hosts have changed their policies! So make sure that you can cancel at some point to get your money back.

I am huge on picking something with a cancellation policy up to 1 week to 30 days before! Each listing is a bit different, so make sure you read carefully!

4. KNOW THE SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS AVAILABLE

If you are going with your family or a group, this is important! Will there be fighting over the beds? Are couches included in the listing count? Do you want privacy for couples coming?

Along with this, know the bathroom situation! Are there enough for the people coming? Do they offer cots or cribs?

5. UNDERSTAND ALL THE FEES

Like hotels, they have fees like cleaning, taxes, and misc. Make sure you look at this before booking so you aren’t surprised!

Also, it depends on when you are traveling too. This changes the original cost you may have seen. This part can be frustrating, but keep looking, and you’ll find a killer place!

6. ASK QUESTIONS if YOU HAVE THEM

Have a question about the cost, amenities, location, anything! Ask the host! This is also a great way to judge communication! Good communicating hosts are excellent, and you know you will be taken care of when there is an issue.

7. ARE AIRBNB’S ALLOWED WHERE YOU ARE LOOKING?

When traveling to New York, I found out that Airbnb’s aren’t totally legal, so we didn’t book one. You can try it, but just in case make sure to check out this list of cities that are cracking down on Airbnb’s. I understand cities wanting to crack down, as it’s hard on the housing market for locals.


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