I love Airbnb.
It gives me the opportunity to meet lovely people and stay in fascinating places.
When I travel, I am nearly never in the hotel, so spending hundreds of dollars/pounds/euros to sleep is not really something I want to do. I would much rather spend my money in more interesting ways, and Airbnb lets me do just that.
But with Airbnb, it is just as important to be a good guest as to be a good host. So here are 4 tips to be the best guest, and get the most out of your Airbnb experience.
Communication
From the initial contact with the host you should be up front and honest. Who are you? Who is traveling? When will you be arriving – be specific. How long are you staying?
The host is welcoming you into their home – they have a right to know who they can expect.
If you book well in advance of your trip, confirm shortly before you plan to travel.
On a recent trip, when I arrived at the airport, I found that my flight was delayed for 4 hours. That meant I would be arriving at my Airbnb very late and well after their requested arrival time. The first thing I did was message the host. She was very gracious and most appreciative of the message. As it turned out, we got out earlier and I messaged her again with that information. She knew when to expect me.
Read the Listing
Be sure you read the entire listing before you make your booking.
If you are allergic to cats, don’t book a place that has 3 cats! It is important that you know and are willing to abide by the house rules.
Be Considerate
You are a guest. Act like one.
Take care with people’s belongings. Your host is providing a service.
Keep the tv/radio/computer/phone conversation volume at a reasonable level especially at night. Respect your host’s home and personal space.
If you must leave early or will return late, let them know. Most hosts are very willing to work with you.
If you are in an apartment, remember that other people live there as well.
Tidy Up
Clean up after yourself and keep your mess to a minimum.
When you leave, there will be lots of cleaning and washing to get the room ready for the next guests. Do your part by respecting your host’s home and keeping the place tidy. Be sure to be ready to leave at check-out time unless you’ve made other arrangements with the host.
A nice gesture is to provide your host with a small gift or a handwritten note of appreciation.
Staying in an Airbnb is a wonderful alternative to an impersonal hotel. You get to know people, and stay in a more home-like atmosphere. Follow these suggestions, and you’ll definitely garner “best guest” status.
Have you stayed at an Airbnb? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.