How to book your perfect Airbnb
A home away from home!
Airbnb is an online marketplace that connects people who want to rent out their homes with people who are looking for accommodations in that locale. Say you have got an empty house or a spare room. You can rent it out on AirBnb and any tourist visiting your city can stay in it by paying the amount on which you want to let out.
Similarly if you are a tourist, you can rent a house or a room for couple of days to months by booking the accommodation online through Airbnb.
It currently covers more than 100,000 cities and more than 191 countries worldwide. The company's name comes from "air mattress B&B.”
1. Sign up and Sign In
Go to the site https://www.airbnb.com
It will typically take you to your local country subdomain. For example if you are accessing the site from India, it will take you to http://www.airbnb.co.in. But you can search and book Airbnb houses anywhere in the world.
First you need to sign up. There are 3 options currently to sign up, using your facebook account, your google account or your email. Choose any one to sign up and once you are done login to the airbnb.
2. Search for the city or country
There is a search box on the top (left if you are on web browser). Enter the city name for example Paris and select from the drop down the City name that appears. Press enter.
Now there will be more search options available. First, enter the dates of travel. Then enter the number of guests travelling.
When ever you enter these details, the search result will automatically filter the output as per your requirement and will show the list of accommodations available.
3. Types of Places
It is important that you know what you want to book on Airbnb.
To choose the type of place you need to refine your search result for which you need to select “Filters".
You will see many options including “Type of Place” for which you will get 3 options.
1. Any type - Will give list of all possible options
2. Room - You will get one room in a house. Usually you will be staying with some one who is ready to share a spare room in his or her house or apartment. All other spaces in the house like the kitchen, living room are shared. This is ideal for a single traveller.
3. Entire home - You will get the entire house or apartment or bungalow. It is most ideal for a family.
4. Price range
Next important thing is the price. Select the range that falls in your budget.
Note that these are per night charges.
5. Amenities
Amenities is another important filter.
If you plan to cook few meals, or all meals, you can select “Kitchen”.
If you need wifi, select that as well and so on. Check “accessibility” if you have kids or elderly travelling with you.
Look for all amenities which you think are must have, ensure to select those.
💡 Tip - Check for photos and check reviews to know how other guests had experience with the amenities you are looking for like "kitchen” or “wifi” etc.
6. Superhosts
Based on feedback from travellers and rating of the house, AirBnb designates some hosts as superhosts. These hosts have been recognised due to the hospitality and keeping the experience of stay at its best. You will be able to locate the superhosts as a label as part of the listing.
After applying these filters you will get the list of accommodation that suits your requirement.
What should you consider before finalising the Airbnb?
1. Price - Though the Airbnb accommodation are abundant in all major cities of the world, getting a good one at a reasonable price can be challenging. Best option is to be little flexible in pricing when applying the price filter as you might get a good accommodation which will save you travel time and cost.
2. Proximity to local transport - If you are planning a trip to cities like Paris, London, Singapore, Hong Kong with good public transport, look for a accommodation near to a Metro or Bus station. You will save lot of time.
3. Proximity to City Centre - If you are not planning to hire a car, stay near to city centre. This will save you lot of time and money on going around and staying away in city late at night.
4. Proximity to Restaurants and eating joints - If you are not planning to cook during travel, or have a restricted diet option like vegan or vegetarian diet, search for good restaurants as per your like and look for accommodation near by.
5. Pics and Description - Go through the pictures and description of the accommodation. It will give you enough information to judge if the accommodation suits your need and taste.
6. Reviews - Go through the reviews of the accommodations you are going to select. You will come to know the pros and cons which some honest reviewers puts clearly in words.
7. House Rules - Go through the house rule. House rule can be found when you go through the page with details about the accommodation.
8. Sudden Cancelation - Some hosts are known to cancel the booking often few days or weeks from arrival. You can know this by going through the reviews. Be ware of such hosts.
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