Airbnb is a platform where people can rent out all or part of their home to short term guests. This means that every Airbnb is different. In general we’ve found Airbnb rentals to be homey and personal feeling, as well as cheaper than a traditional hotel. But of course, there’s no concierge desk or room service.
Because people are opening up their homes, the site puts a lot of emphasis on security–both yours and theirs. This means a high level of transparency: For example, you should expect to create an account with your real name and picture. And you can read reviews of each host left by other travelers, and expect that you and your host will also exchange reviews of one another at the end of your stay. It also means certain kinds of information are protected: For example, you’ll typically know the intersection but not the the exact address of your rental until you decide to book it.
A few tips:
- Ignore the price per night listed. Fees vary widely, so the Total Price is a much better metric to compare.
- Read carefully how many bedrooms and bathrooms each listing offers as you’re deciding whether you’ll fit there. The number of people a listing says it “accommodates” often assumes a couple of people will be on air mattresses or pullout couches.
- Feel free to use the “contact the host” feature if you have any questions. They’re typically very responsive, friendly, and helpful.
If you sign up via this link, we both get a small discount.