Q: How do you find so many adorable Airbnb stays while traveling?

A: After staying in DOZENS during the pandemic, I’ve learned these essential tricks of the Airbnb trade!

I’ve spent most of my pandemic days road-tripping around the United States. While I’ve stayed in a mix of different types of accommodations (from hotels to camping), Airbnb life has become one of my new favorite ways to travel. Staying in someone’s home allows you a rare chance to see what it would be like to live in that destination; “live like a local.” I’m the type of person who steers away from overly touristy spots, and Airbnb is an easy way to add that extra layer of cultural authenticity. Unfortunately, this is an area where many hotels miss the mark! I’ve curated some tricks to sort out the diamonds in the rough. Check out my 5 essential tips below for snagging the perfect Airbnb booking!

Here are my 5 essential tips to find the PERFECT Airbnb for your next trip!

Book (far) in advance

I realize this sounds obvious. Don’t you *always* have the best chance of finding an awesome accommodation when you book far enough in advance? Sure, but that becomes even MORE important if you’re planning to sleep at an Airbnb. Unlike hotels with hundreds of different rooms (and room types), most Airbnb accommodations are single accommodations. That’s why that gorgeous and affordable boho-style Airbnb you saw on a blog about Joshua Tree, California, never seems to be available — there is only ONE. If you think about that place getting booked for about a week each time, that means there are only 50 some-odd reservations each year!

If you’re hoping to stay at an Airbnb over a hotel, it should probably be the first thing you book. Yup, even before your flight. It’s THAT tough to score the cutest places, and believe me, that accommodation can make or break your entire trip!

Being a bit more spontaneous and not able to book far in advance? Take the opposite approach. Wait it out! If it seems like there are slim pickings, you mayyyy want to wait it out a bit longer to see if any more options become available. New listings hit the Airbnb market EVERY DAY. Just make sure to scour the site continuously, so you’re on top of anything new that gets posted! This method is more of a gamble, but if you’re willing to take the risk, you COULD be pleasantly surprised.

While road-tripping through Fort Collins, Colorado, I felt like there were slim pickings! Just a few days before my expected arrival date, I came across a last-minute posting of a gorgeous home without any ratings or reviews. It was an entirely new listing! In exchange for being the first to review the property, the owner offered me a 25% discount! Had I booked one of the *decent* homes, I never would’ve found this beautiful (and discounted!) home away from home!!

Research the local area

Before you decide on a booking, make sure you understand the local area as best you can. Where is the center of town? Are there dangerous areas you should avoid? Do you want to be able to walk to the beach? Are there grocery stores nearby?

Getting a lay of the land will help you imagine what your stay could look like on a daily basis, and thus, ensure you’re picking the right Airbnb for you! If there are tons of restaurants you want to try, it’s likely less important than your accommodation has a full kitchen. If it’s a more remote area where you need a car to get around, make sure your Airbnb has free parking on premises or nearby! If you’re staying in a major city, you may not want an accommodation on a super busy (and LOUD) city street.

Thinking about these things in advance makes a big difference in helping you find the perfect Airbnb for you, for the area.

READ REVIEWS

If the place has a 4+ star rating, you may take that as a sufficient reason to book. But, NO!!! You MUST read at least five of the past reviews. This is where you find out all the DIRT about the place… sometimes, quite literally. If a previous guest showed up to a shower drain full of hair, this is where you’ll find out. If the host went above and beyond to provide local tips or accommodate a package delivery, this is where you’ll find out. I cannot stress *enough* how important it is to read a handful of reviews. I usually read about a dozen, but even if you only read five, you’ll be booking more confidently!!

Another tip with reviews is to read the host’s responses! Every so often, I’ve come across a bad review with an even WORSE host response. If the owner seems like an @$$ in their reaction, you can bet there’s an ounce of truth to how they act in real life. You never know what may happen during your stay (pipe burst, non-functional TV, wrong entry door code, etc.), so it’s paramount that you’re renting from a responsive, respectful, and overall KIND host as much as you’re able to suss out in advance.

The only exception to this rule (as I mentioned above) is an Airbnb with zero ratings or reviews… while this can be a massive risk to book, it can alternatively offer awesome perks! I’d recommend messaging the host if you come across a first-time property and getting a sense of whether it seems legit before booking!

Amenities to consider

Most Airbnb’s offer some unique amenities, but the range of offerings spans the gamut! Depending on your needs and the destination, certain amenities may be more or less important to you. I’ve bulleted some typical amenities below — consider how critical these may be to you before you book!

• Washer & Dryer: If you’re staying five days or more, this becomes ESSENTIAL!

• Wifi: Planning to work on your trip? I recommend messaging the host beforehand to ask about the strength of wifi (and cell phone service!). Just because they *have* wifi doesn’t mean it’s *good* wifi. I once rented an Airbnb in the mountains where my phone couldn’t make a single phone call. Not very conducive for a week of working remotely. Don’t be afraid to ask direct questions in advance! In this case, ignorance is NOT bliss.

• Full kitchen: If you’re in a rural area where there are fewer restaurants (or WANT to cook a bunch of meals), a full kitchen is essential. But, it’s not enough to see a stove and oven in the pictures. Do they have pots and pans? Spatulas? Olive oil? Spices? If not, you’re going to have to buy some of this stuff on your own, which can end up being as expensive as the accommodation itself! Avoid these false “full” kitchens, and message the host in advance to see what they got! There’s also a chance they’ll be willing to up their supplies if they know it’s important to you!

• Parking: If you’re bringing a car, make sure there’s free parking on premises or nearby. If you have to walk 10 blocks to find non-permit parking, it’s probably not the right place for you.

• Other amenities: I've stayed in several places that offer amenities like the ones listed below, and they've totally enhanced my stay!

  • Streaming services like Netflix, HBO, etc.

  • Outdoor deck or landscaped yard with a BBQ

  • Apartment complex including a pool and gym in the building

  • Free bikes, paddleboards, etc.!!

Don’t be afraid to negotiate

Unlike a hotel, when you stay at an Airbnb, you’re able to establish some rapport with your host. It’s a one-on-one (more customized) transaction, and with that comes the ability to negotiate! Before booking, you should message the host and see if there’s any wiggle room in the price. I’ve done this when I’m booking day-of or very close to my arrival date, if I find a place I LOVE that’s a bit above budget, or if I’m looking for a week duration. Just make sure there isn’t already a reasonable discount on offer — MOST places already offer a 10-15% weekly discount when booking for a week or more.

Lastly, to score the PERFECT Airbnb, you MUST have stellar past Airbnb reviews! Always make sure to treat the property as you would your own home!

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