Airbnb: How You Can Use It Here, There, and Everywhere
Have you ever used Airbnb? Before Airbnb came on the scene, we used hotels.com and occasionally vrbo to book accommodations when we traveled. During the last decade or so, we have used Airbnb several times to secure accommodations in the United States and abroad. We have introduced family members and friends to Airbnb too since it is often the most cost-efficient way to snag amazing places to stay (especially for a crowd).
More than accommodations!
Did you know that Airbnb offers MORE than just apartments, condos, and houses? We planned to be in NYC beginning July 3, but I recently had to cancel those reservations. I reserved an apartment, as well as the Hamilton Haunts and Hangouts experience. We were really looking forward to this tour since we are Hamilton fans. Hopefully we will get to do it some other time!
In addition to accommodations and live experiences, Airbnb recently started offering online experiences. This is an amazing way to connect with people all over the world. It also allows Airbnb hosts to continue to move forward with their businesses. While there are a lot of difficult changes due to the pandemic, online experiences will allow hosts to expand their reach even after travel resumes. Because we have benefited from all that Airbnb has to offer, I wanted to share those experiences with you in case you are new to the world of Airbnb or hesitant to take part in their newer offerings.
Safety!
Airbnb requires identify verification and the system and process have layers of security. We have never felt unsafe in an Airbnb accommodation or during an experience (some of them include transportation to and from multiple locations). The website has several frequently asked questions related to safety and security. A page on their website is dedicated to trust and safety.
Accommodations.
We have used Airbnb for accommodations in several different places, including:
- London, England
- Indianapolis, Indiana
- Paris, France
- Nashville, Tennessee
- Chicago, Illinois
- Athens, Greece
Why use Airbnb for accommodations?
Airbnb accommodations frequently cost much less than a traditional hotel room. They often have the added bonus of a kitchen to make your own meals, multiple bathrooms, and/or free parking. I recommend booking properties that have a high rating or that are owned by a host who has other properties with a high rating (perhaps this is a newly acquired property). Airbnb also has hotel rooms and bed and breakfast rooms available. These could be the same rooms from other sites, but at a lower cost.
There are properties all over the world, including some that are local to you. Some of the best properties I have stayed in have been nearby, a perfect “staycation” for a group of friends or family. I have stayed at properties with beautiful balconies, rooftop decks, and lush bedding and amenities. It is so much fun to rent a big space and have all your friends and family under one roof. Splitting the cost of a large property is also very cost efficient and you have more space than in a hotel.
How does it work?
Once you are on the Airbnb website, you search for accommodations by date, location, and number of guests. Then you can filter your options by different amenities such as air conditioning, laundry, and by bedrooms and bathrooms. Some properties can be booked instantly, while other requests will be reviewed by the host first. You cannot confirm a reservation without completing the identity verification process. For accurate pricing, make sure to review the total price that is shown after you click on a particular listing. This is often different than the per night price multiplied by the number of nights since there could be a cleaning fee, service fee, and/or taxes. Most of the time, the total cost is still cheaper than a hotel.
Make sure to rent a space that has lots of pictures and positive reviews. I generally have questions about a property I am considering, so I will often communicate with a host prior to making the reservation. Their responsiveness can make a huge difference when choosing where to stay. It is important to remember that the level of comfort in an accommodation will vary by location. For example, a “large” apartment or house will likely be smaller in Europe than in the United States, since our standards for living space are much different.
The check-in process is different for each host. Some properties are managed by a company, while other hosts send you a key code to let yourself in. When we visited Paris, our host met us in front of the building and walked us to her apartment. After using Airbnb a few times, you will get a feel for your level of comfort. We prefer to stay in accommodations that are solely rentals, and not those where folks live when they are not rented out.
Hosts will generally allow you to communicate with them during the stay in case there are any problems. Some hosts leave welcome baskets or items for a continental breakfast.
If you have never used Airbnb before, use this referral link to get a discount off your first stay. There are amazing and unique accommodations all over the world from yurts to tree houses. Check it out!
Experiences.
During the planning stage of prior trips, my husband and I discussed visiting a country with a tour group. We like the idea of having planned activities and not having to worry about transportation and buying tickets in advance. However, at the end of the day we never want to be saddled to a group for an entire trip. An amazing alternative is to book experiences through Airbnb (or Viator). We have done multiple experiences with both services and have never been disappointed.
Searching for experiences is similar to looking for accommodations. You can filter your options by location, date, number of guests, and type of activity. You can participate in everything from historical tours and cooking classes, to dance lessons and kayaking.
We have participated in the following Airbnb experiences:
Photo Shoot with Suleman (Santorini, Greece)
The Authentic Wine & Food Tour with Anydro Farm (Santorini, Greece)
Pasta Making Rooftop Experience (Rome, Italy)
Photo Shoot
When we visited Paris on our 10th wedding anniversary, we booked a photographer to take some photos. As you probably know if you travel, most travel photos are 1) selfies 2) a photo of one of you in front of something important or 3) a picture a fellow tourist takes that might not be exactly what you want. One solution is to get a tripod like the one we use when we travel. Another option is to hire a photographer. When it came time to plan the itinerary for Santorini, we decided we absolutely wanted to have photos taken because of the iconic background.
We booked a Photo Shoot with Suleman and it was a great experience. Suleman was responsive before, during, and after the experience. We arranged a time to meet before the crowds flocked to Oia. He provided transportation and he knew all the best spots. Tourists struggled at those same places to get a perfect shot on their own. I HIGHLY recommend booking a photographer on important or particularly beautiful trips. You can use a service like Airbnb, Viator, or Flytographer.
Food & Wine
While in Santorini, we also participated in a Wine & Food Tour. The experience included transportation from our hotel, to each of the stops, and back to our hotel. This allowed us to have a relaxed day since public transportation is not prevalent in Santorini. We had the opportunity to walk through picturesque villages, learn some history of the area, sample wine from a few different wineries, and prepare and enjoy a DELICIOUS meal at a waterless tomato farm. The FOOD was incredible and the company was enjoyable. If we go back to Santorini, we would participate in this tour again because we enjoyed it so much.
Pasta Making
One of our most memorable Airbnb experiences is the Pasta Making Rooftop Experience we did in Rome. Two chefs hosted the experience at one of their homes on the east side of the City. The group was small, only six of us. The hosts greeted us with wine and we had the opportunity to make our own fresh pastas and sauces on the terrace of the apartment. After everything was finished, we headed up to the rooftop terrace to enjoy our meal (and more wine!). One couple was from Chicago and the other couple was from California. The view was INCREDIBLE. We had such a good time with the couple from California that we left the experience together and walked to get gelato!
The knowledge we brought home is a lasting souvenir. We have since purchased all the pasta making equipment and frequently make fresh pasta at home. We get to recreate that experience and reminisce about that special trip.
Online Experience.
A few weeks ago, my nephew and I had the opportunity to participate in the Sangria and Secrets with Drag Queens experience. This was our first and only online experience and I was not sure what to expect. The experience was a live sangria making class with a group of drag queens in Portugal. Participants receive a list of ingredients and tools in advance so they can make the drink along with the hosts and group. We received a Zoom link, so we knew we would be interacting directly with others from all over the world.
The hosts did an incredible job of interacting with each group of participants directly and by name. We participated on a Friday night and everyone was interacting and having a great time. We each got to explain who we were and they encouraged us to dance along throughout the experience. They also put on short drag shows and did a Q & A session at the end. I am not very social with strangers, so I was nervous about participating in the Zoom call. However, I am happy to report that it was SO much fun and unlike anything I have ever done before. We laughed, danced, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The experience lasted about 1 hour and 45 minutes. This is a great experience if you are looking for a unique experience to take you away!
I also saw online experiences for the coffee aficionado, the artist, the magician, and the historian.
Do you have a memorable Airbnb experience?
Katie G.