What do we look for in choosing a vacation rental (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.)? We’ll tell you… There is a LOT to consider and it can get overwhelming. We’re here to help!
Here are our SIX highest priority items for choosing a vacation rental, in no particular order. Let us know what you’d add to this list.
1. Location. When we are booking an Airbnb we usually do a lot of research on the various activities we plan to do in a destination and then we try to choose a vacation rental in close proximity. Especially when our kids were little, we made sure we were within walking of the main touristy areas (or close to public transportation). Alternatively. we also sometimes choose a location off the beaten path so we can immerse ourselves more in a local neighborhood. We like to make sure there are grocery stores or parks nearby where we are staying. Whatever you choose, have a goal and look closely at maps and distances before you choose an Airbnb because listings always exaggerate their proximity to landmarks and city centers.
2. Space. Usually when we are choosing a vacation rental it is because we want more space than we can find in a typical hotel room. We like to find Airbnbs with at least two bedrooms and two bathrooms. We also like to have a stocked kitchen and a sitting area. Sometimes we compromise space for location when we have to, because we don’t usually spend a lot of time in our Airbnbs. Look carefully at photos in Airbnb listings, people like to use camera angles to make spaces appear bigger than they are. Also, if there aren’t photos of bathrooms or all of the bedrooms, make sure you ask questions so that you don’t show up and get surprised. We study listing pictures carefully and usually try to look at photos on multiple sites (usually rentals are listed in a variety of places) to see if we missed any clues that a place isn’t what it represents itself to be.
3. Family-friendly amenities. If you have younger kids its a great idea to search for key words like: family-friendly, crib, high chair, pack n play, etc. when you are booking an Airbnb. Some Airbnbs clearly list their family-friendly items but others you may have to reach out and ask. Also, look at photos and make sure anywhere you book is baby/toddler proofed if you need that. We have made the mistake of booking non-toddler friendly Airbnbs and then spent the entire trip stressed our baby was going to get hurt. Of course it’s fun if an Airbnb has bikes, beach toys, a pool, or games, etc. that can make your trip more enjoyable.
4. Price. Of course price is important to us when booking a vacation rental and we usually set a budget before we begin researching so that we don’t get sucked in by a listing out of our price range. The other thing to look for when looking at prices is hidden fees. Booking directly through property management companies (if an Airbnb isn’t owned by an individual) is always a great way to save on fees. Airbnb and Vrbo charge rental agencies for their listings so if you go directly to the agencies you can save yourself sometimes 15%-20%. Look closely at cleaning fees and any extra fees that are added so that you aren’t surprised when you go to checkout. Also, if you are planning to stay for a while or if you are booking at the last minute it never hurts to ask the property manager for a discount.
5. Washer/dryer. We love the flexibility of having a washer/dryer when traveling with kids — we don’t have to pack as much stuff and we can relax about keeping our clothes pristine. Also, when rainstorms or illnesses hit when traveling it’s always nice to have somewhere to wash clothes. If you are traveling outside the USA make sure to read the Airbnb listings to see if you have both a washer/dryer or just a washer. You can always hang clothes to dry. but in more humid climates you are going to want a dryer. Once you arrive at your Airbnb if the washer/dryer directions are in another language you can use Google translate to help you with the directions or Google a manual for the washer/dryer in English — it works everytime!
6. Positive reviews. Probably one of the most important things you need to do when booking an Airbnb is study the reviews. Look closely at the reviews to see how recent they are, how many negative reviews there are and how the property manager handled the situation, and what problems people mention in the reviews. You have to remember that everyone has a different perspective in terms of what is acceptable in an Airbnb but we look closely at cleanliness problems, problems with AC or water heaters, exaggeration in terms of location, and any mention of the rental being different than what was described. We also look for positive/negative notes about how hard the rental is to find and get into and how responsive the property management is. There are always a few bad reviews, but what you want to look for are patterns in the reviews and have the problems been addressed. Also, if there are NO reviews that is usually not a good sign and you should tred carefully. Before booking anything without reviews make sure you have a phone call or email exchange with the property owner and try to feel out if they feel scammy. If they are just a new property they will usually say that and often add discounts to draw people in — still try to make contact and ask for extra pictures and ask detailed questions.
Of course there is a ton more to say about Airbnbs, but hopefully these tips will help you as you get started on your research. If you have any suggestions of other things to include, let us know!
