Airbnb has taken the world by storm since its introduction a few years ago. It’s a fantastic initiative — allowing people to rent out their apartments/spare rooms to strangers from around the world. I have used Airbnb now in Canada, the United States and Australia. I have used it travelling solo, with family and with friends.

Some people may be skeptical about staying in a stranger’s house. I know I was initially. But I’ve come to realise that the trust goes both ways. You’re hoping they’re trustworthy and legitimate, and the hosts are hoping the same thing, as they are letting you into their home. If you are unsure about starting on the Airbnb train, this post is for you. I layout the reasons why I (and my family) are Airbnb addicts.

Remember to click here to signup and receive $30AU off your first trip!

 

Perfect for group travel

Because you can rent out entire apartments/houses, Airbnb is fantastic for group travel. I have stayed in Airbnbs across the world with friends and family. It allows everyone to have their own space, which can never be taken for granted when travelling and being together 24/7. It’s also 9 times out of 10 cheaper and easier than staying in a hostel or hotel.

Local immersion

I have stayed in Airbnbs in suburban Atlanta, Brooklyn and rural Australia. As the majority of alternative accommodation is located in central city areas, Airbnb allows you to see a different side to a city. In Atlanta, I could hear the school band playing at the college football game down the road from my room. I never would have seen as much of Brooklyn as I did if we didn’t stay in the area.

Find my Atlanta private room here

In Montreal, our hosts were so open to talking about the city over food and drinks. These are the kinds of experiences hotels can’t offer you. Immerse yourself in a different neighbourhood and see more than just the city centre on your next trip.

Reasonable pricing

We all know I am the biggest budget traveller there is. So if I say Airbnb is reasonable, you better believe it. Whenever I am looking at accommodation for my next destination, I always check hostels and Airbnbs and compare prices. When travelling solo, it sometimes works out more expensive. But like I mentioned, when it comes to group travel or travelling as a couple, you will definitely find a good priced Airbnb in most places.

A homier feel

When I moved back to Vancouver in 2016, I knew I wanted to stay in an Airbnb in my first week and not a hostel. Why? Because I wanted my own space, and didn’t want to deal with rotating roommates in a hostel dorm (although Samesun was good to me the first time I moved here). The Airbnb private room I chose was fantastic. It was in an area I knew previously and I had a separate entrance, my own bathroom, a desk, and use of the kitchen. It also wasn’t much more than the hostel, and worth it for me so I could have that homey feel.

Find the Vancouver private room I recommend here

Honest reviews

One of Airbnb’s best initiatives is the reviews. You review the host and property once you leave, and the host can also leave a review on you as an occupant. It’s amazing reading other people’s feedback and seeing if the property suits your needs.

A solo travel alternative

Although it’s easier to meet fellow travellers in a hostel, if travelling long-term, an Airbnb stay is a great alternative. I know I loved sleeping in a fluffier bed and having my own room by the time I got to Atlanta on my trip in 2014. There’s just something about having your own space after weeks of hostel dorms. If you’re a fellow travelling introvert, I definitely recommend looking into Airbnb to break up your trip and allow yourself some alone time.

The extras

Because you are staying in someone’s property and not a hostel/hotel, it’s easier to ask for things with Airbnb. This might include a late checkout, transport (in places like Bali especially), or local insider tips. These are all things you can’t expect anywhere else. You also usually get access to a kitchen, which is what hooks in a lot of people. Being able to cook a couple of dinners and have breakfast bagels every morning in our Brooklyn Airbnb apartment saved us a lot of money.

Airbnb points to remember

1. Always remember to read the fine print.

This firstly means checking whether it’s a private/shared room/entire apartment. As depending on your situation, you don’t want to end up being disappointed or uncomfortable. When I was looking for a place to stay in Vancouver, there was a private room in an OK location, but the description said I didn’t have access to the kitchen. No thanks! This also relates to the price of fees, as some of them can be kind of crazy.

2. Check the location. 

I did say local immersion was one of Airbnb’s positive points, but you don’t want to be a solo traveller staying in the sticks. Google the neighbourhood and read the reviews to ensure it’s somewhere that’s safe, close to transport, etc…

3. Open communication! 

Always openly communicate with your host and let them know things like what time you’re arriving, so they can organise a way for you to gain access. We had an issue finding out apartment in Québec City, but fortunately we had exchanged numbers with the host after the booking was confirmed, which saved a lot of time and pointless messaging.

4. Weekly and monthly discounts. 

Some Airbnb properties offer weekly and monthly discounts, which can definitely work in your favour.

5. There is a resolution team. 

I have read about some unfortunate Airbnb stories, but I have also heard how fantastic the Airbnb resolution team is in solving bad housing situations.

I mentioned in a recent Hayley Lately post that my grandad even used Airbnb to go on his own solo trip to Canberra. It really is a fantastic option for everyone (and I mean EVERYONE). So don’t delay! Jump onboard and use my discount code below to start your own Airbnb journey. If you have any questions, ensure you leave them in the comments below.

Remember to click here to signup and receive $30AU off your first trip!

So tell me, have you used Airbnb before, or would you consider it?

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