The first question that travellers face after booking flights is “Where to stay?”. Some people prefer hotels or hostels, while others like homestays or apartments. Among these options, renting from locals through Airbnb can be a balanced solution.
Founded in 2008, Airbnb is a service that allows you to rent accommodation directly from owners. The service base has grown to 34,000 cities in more than 190 countries, allowing you to find a cost-effective apartment or house anywhere in the world.
Now, you can rent a suitable lodging option without overpaying intermediaries or resorting to expensive hotels. However, before starting your search, browse through valuable tips in order to find your perfect apartment!
Select your accommodation carefully
When choosing accommodation, make sure it suits you in terms of comfort, location, and cost. First, decide on the amenities to look for in an Airbnb rental and pay attention to the pictures. However, never assume the selected apartment offers something other than indicated. What you think should be in the apartment by default won’t necessarily be! For example, if you need air conditioning, but it’s not among the amenities, check with the host that air conditioning is available and it works.
Also, never book an apartment without reviews. Newly listed Airbnb apartments can attract attention with a low price. They may be renovated and feature new furniture that looks enticing. Though, you run a great risk that the new host simply didn’t provide what guests might need.
Of course, you may be lucky and the most critical remark you leave in the apartment without a single review will be “There was not enough washing powder for the washing machine”. Unfortunately, people may face bigger shortcomings, such as a lack of towels, WiFi access, or air conditioning. Thus, much safer is to book apartments offering 10+ reviews at least.
Find out more details about the apartment
The chosen apartment may feature an excellent location, affordable price, and a full range of amenities inside. However, you will find a lot of clothes in the closets and wardrobe, and food in the fridge. This indicates that the host not only rents out the apartment but also lives in it before settling guests. If you want to live in an apartment in your own way and use it to the fullest, this option won’t suit you.
When choosing housing, look for apartments designed for rental. How to define it? Just read reviews and see photos before booking. The fewer personal items and accessories in the photo, the bigger chance of getting a purely-rental accommodation. The reverse is also true.
Read the cancellation policy
AirBnB offers three basic cancellation conditions. You can choose between the following policies:
• “Flexible” – full refund if cancelled up to 1 day before the stay;
• “Moderate“ – full refund if cancelled no later than 5 days before the stay;
• “Strict“ – 50% refund if cancelled up to one week prior to the stay.
According to the statistics, the best and highest-rated apartments have “strict” cancellation conditions. Thus, if your plans can change, prefer accommodation with a “flexible” cancellation policy. In reviews, also look for automated comments about host cancellations. If many were found, avoid that option.
Discuss the details of your arrival
Most hosts by default don’t provide the opportunity to move into the chosen apartment at any time of the day. Hotels are better in this sense. Though, if you booked an apartment, and your flight arrives, for example, at 10 pm, be sure to inform the owner about it! If the host is unable to check you in and you’re unable to arrive earlier, the host may decide to cancel such a booking without incurring any penalty to you, even though “strict” cancellation conditions apply.
The best thing you can do is to discuss your check-in time before making a booking. And don’t forget – in case of an unexpected delay, for example, a flight delay, inform the host about it in the correspondence on AirBnB, and don’t make him wait at the apartment in vain.
Ask all important questions upon check-in
Ask any questions in direct contact with the host. It’s OK since almost all hosts are eager to give you a full tour of their apartment and tell you about worthwhile places nearby. “How to turn on the washing machine or what password to access the Internet?” – be sure to ask important questions upon checking in.
On the whole, use these Airbnb search tips when searching for your next apartment rental – this is the shortest path to the perfect deal. Another valuable tip is to complement your travel experience with a car rental. For example, you can pick up a 7-seater car hire in Edinburgh, London, Manchester, and multiple UK and worldwide locations. Car hire 7 seater vehicles are ideal for families with children. So, if you are looking for a way to move along with housing, consider this option for a double advantage.
