Airbnb Advice

I have had a lot of wonderful experiences in Airbnbs, and some that were less wonderful. Over the past three years of usingAirbnb I have come to some conclusions. I’m here to share my Airbnb Advice with you!

Don’t Cancel

If you are contacted by a host asking you to cancel your reservation because they have made a mistake – don’t. The reason they are contacting you is because if they cancel on you they get a strike on their record which can cause them problems if they have too many. They are the ones that put the listing up, and it isn’t your fault. See if they change their minds or find other accommodation options (often people have multiple rooms/apartments).

Call  – Don’t Email – Airbnb

If a host still cancels on a property you booked well in advance, call Airbnb. Often when you are cancelled on you suddenly have fewer and more expensive options. Airbnb will sometimes provide a giftcard to offset the expense. I have heard that people have much less luck with their email system, but that overall they have good customer service.

What Services are Provided?

Sometimes a listing might be more expensive, but they provide breakfast or pickup from a train station or airport. This can sometimes offset the cost and provide you with an overall easier experience. If you think about the average breakfast being around $3-5, factor it into the price. Taxis or shuttles can be confusing and sometimes expensive, and pickup can be worth as much as $20 flat in my mind because of how much easier it is. This will, of course, depend on the situation.

Compare with Local Hostels 

If you are simply renting out a room in someone’s home or even sharing a space with them – is that really better than a local hostel? Sometimes it is, for sure. Other times it’s not. Some hosts offer experiences or in-depth knowledge of their community. My Paris host was a photographer to some very famous celebrities and would let his guests occasionally follow him around during fashion week if asked in advance. That’s a pretty priceless service that you won’t find anywhere else, and is definitely worth it. If you’re paying to stay on someone’s couch, on the other hand, you should give Couchsurfing a try. It’s too easy to get stuck on one website 🙂

Take a Few Pictures

This is something I’ve only recently started doing after reading some horror stories. I personally haven’t ever had a problem from any of my hosts, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. This particularly goes for when you’re renting out an entire apartment/house. If a host says you’ve broken something, you could be on the hook for some money. I think a couple sweeping photos upon leaving is sufficient.

Overall I really like Airbnb, particularly when I want a cool/different experience. Experiencing the French apartment life in Blois was really cool. My Airbnb in Rome provided lots of yummy snacks 24/7 and was literally across from the Coliseum. In Colorado Springs I had thoughtful breakfasts and gorgeous nature. It’s also generally a lot cheaper than hotels and most US cities don’t have hostels, so it’s a much better option. Good luck and have fun 🙂

Feel free to use my sign up link if you’ve never used Airbnb – we both get money off and Airbnb doesn’t have many discounts. That’s my Airbnb Advice~