Look Before You Book
If you’re brand new to Airbnb, everything seems pretty alien to you! However, do not fear! We have learned a few things that might be of some help. :) Might be an ambitious series of maps since the bnb landscape is complex and rugged, but we hope this blog will give you some comfort...
”The Filters” are your friends~ HOME TYPE:
Would you like to have the whole house to yourself or do you subscribe to the true bnb spirit and not mind sharing your space with the host or other guests? Some bnb hosts are great with their “space” descriptions and which rooms/areas the guests have “access to.” However, some are not too clear whether the “home” is limited to only the basement or above the carriage house garage. One of the homes on the site even advertised a flat above a recreational weed shop in Oregon!
One of our coolest bnb experiences was staying in a huge loft above a busy cafe in the historic town of Brownsville, OR, the aroma of coffee wafting through the vents as we watched the town wake up in the mornings from our window.
If you see the words “suite” or “apartment”, then it is more likely next to, above or below the owner’s/hosts’ house. Our farmstay in Colusa, CA was a suite attached to the owner’s home. The roosters and hens would greet us enthusiastically as we made our way back to the bnb, and we made sure the gate was closed behind us always :).
Sometimes, pictures of the home could give you a clue as to whether the home is duplex, condo, guest house or individual house with un-shared walls.
Reading other guest’s reviews also help a lot since some describe the home in great detail (from the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and which floor the home is located to use of the garage for parking).
If in doubt, try contacting the host first via the Airbnb app. and make an inquiry. You could also tell by the responses if they are warm and pleasant or otherwise! Once you have “requested to book”, it would be too late to change your mind once the host/s approve of the request.