Planning a vacation is expensive. Finding the perfect long-term vacation rental can stretch your vacation dollars further. Airbnb long-term travel accommodations provide a solution to the many variables that come with long-term travel. You can book anywhere from a private room in someone’s home to an entire house on the other side of the world.
It is essential to know how Airbnb works before you head out on your long-term trip so that you can make sure it will meet all of your needs and be as comfortable as possible for your stay. In this blog post, we will cover the essential tips and tricks for using Airbnb.
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What Is Airbnb, And How Does It Work?
Airbnb is an online travel service that allows users to book accommodations with hosts around the world. Airbnb provides many different accommodation options, including private rooms in people’s homes (shared or exclusive), shared spaces like a living room or common areas like kitchens and bathrooms, entire private homes (entire home/apartment), and long-term accommodations.
When you book long-term travel accommodations with Airbnb, you deal directly with the host or homeowner without an intermediary like a hotel manager. In addition, you can pay for long-term Airbnb room rentals online before your trip.
How To Find A Long Term Vacation Rental
The long-term Airbnb booking process is the same as any other Airbnb accommodation; however, you will be looking for accommodations that offer long-term options. If long-term Airbnb rates are not specified, it is best to ask if long-term discounts or other accommodations can be made for you as a long-term guest.
Use the filters to find the best long-term Airbnb for you. But, first, determine what you consider non-negotiable, wants versus needs, and things that aren’t essential.
For example, do you require wifi? Do you need a kitchen? Do you want to be close to the city center, or do long-term transportation not matter as much since your long-term accommodation is in an area where many public transport options will take you into town?
Once you have determined what is non-negotiable (wifi, full bathroom) and what isn’t (close to the city center), you can begin sorting through long-term Airbnb listings. First, you will want to narrow down your long-term Airbnb search by price, the number of guests, and rooms available.
What To Look For When Renting A Vacation Home
When staying at long-term Airbnb accommodation, make sure your host provides the following:
A Secure And Safe Place To Stay
Airbnb accommodations are not hotels. When you book long-term travel accommodations, this means having locks on doors and windows or making other arrangements so that no one can enter the house without permission.
The Essentials
Airbnb long-term rooms may not come with all of the essentials you need to be comfortable. For example, if long-term travel accommodations do not include linens and toiletries, make sure that your host provides them before you arrive or figure out how to get what you need once you are there.
A Comfortable Bed and Bedding
Long-term Airbnb travelers can’t always bring their linens, so make sure the mattress is clean, firm, and long enough for your height! You may also want to ask about pillows if you have specific preferences.
A Place For Storage
When long-term Airbnb accommodation does not offer a safe space to store your long-term belongings, make sure you have a place for them. That could be as simple as having some hooks or under the bed storage where you can keep things out of view and organized.
The Location
Ensure that long-term Airbnb accommodations are in an area with easy walking access to attractions, grocery stores, oceans or lakes, and public transportation.
The Rules
Long-term travel accommodations must have clear rules about what guests cannot do or have access to. It’s also crucial that long-term Airbnb accommodations are comfortable for long-term guests, so having good rules in place will help keep things positive and problem-free.
Being Able to Cook
Long-term Airbnb accommodations mean having a kitchen is a necessity. Sometimes this means no oven or stove, but at least some basic pots and pans for cooking long-term Airbnb accommodation on the go!
Privacy
When long-term Airbnb travel accommodations are in shared spaces like living rooms or kitchens, make sure you have your privacy when needed.
Tips For Finding The Perfect Airbnb Home
Read the Reviews
As a general guideline, avoid looking at an Airbnb with fewer than ten reviews. There should be enough evaluations to be confident that you are getting an accurate representation of the property. Look for at least ten reviews, and read each one carefully.
That will provide you with a good idea of what the location has to offer. Long reviews are appreciated, especially when someone says they stayed there for a long time. One poor review shouldn’t deter you depending on what the complaint is about. If the positive reviews far outweigh the negative reviews, consider this.
Read the Description
Make sure the description is thorough and informative. Make certain you go through the full description, as there may be a fee for electricity at the end of your lengthy stay.
Message the Host
Send the host an email with a question/issue, and you should get a response in less than 24 hours. This is fantastic because it usually implies that the host will pre-approve you for the rental and your inquiring date.
Why Is Airbnb A Good Option For Long-term Accommodations?
Airbnb offers long-term travel accommodations that are more cost-efficient than hotels and other types of short-term rentals. You can choose from locations throughout the world with many available listings for long-term rental. In addition, there are several long-term Airbnb options, whether you want to rent a room in someone’s house or an entire apartment.
Having a kitchen to cook meals and storing your belongings makes it easier and more comfortable than staying in hotels.
Benefits Of Using Airbnb Over Hotels
Booking an Airbnb instead of a hotel offers many benefits for long-term travelers. For example, long-term renters can save up to 68% on long-term Airbnb accommodations compared to long-stay hotel rates.
Airbnb has properties in over 191 countries, so it’s easy to find an affordable long-term Airbnb rental that meets your needs wherever you go. It’s also easy to find long-term travel rentals in popular locations worldwide, so you can have an excellent long-term stay no matter where your travels take you.
What If My Long-term Travel Accommodation Doesn’t Work Out?
You must familiarize yourself with the cancellation policies if you book long-term travel accommodations with an Airbnb host. If you make a reservation for 28 days or more, the long-term cancellation policy applies. If a guest cancels or changes a long-term reservation, this is how it to handle it:
- Depending on the listing and when the reservation is made, your first payment might be non-refundable.
- Unless otherwise stated, if they cancel after a trip has begun, the nights remaining in their reservation are non-refundable. Only the next 30 nights are non-refundable if they have more than 30 days left on their booking.
- It is up to the homeowner if they choose to give an additional refund.
Legitimate Vacation Rental Sites
- Airbnb
- Home Away
- Abodo
Fantastic Long-term Airbnb Rentals in the US
- Brownstone in Downtown Minneapolis, MN – the location in the historic district is the main selling point for this long-term Airbnb.
- Cozy Cottage in Arden, NC – admire the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from this quaint cottage just 15 minutes from Asheville.
- Adobe-Style Casita in Taos, NM – enjoy the privacy of being tucked away in the mountains of Taos.
Long-term travel accommodations are not for everyone, but they can be a fun and affordable way to see the world! Booking long-term travel can be challenging. You may be skeptical that it will look like the photos, or you may be doubtful that you can even find a place that meets your requirements. Long-term Airbnb accommodation is more of a commitment, so getting exactly what you want and serving your needs while traveling is essential.
This post originally appeared on Savoteur.
Casandra
Casandra Karpiak is a travel writer and owner of Savoteur. A Toronto native with Danish roots currently residing in British Columbia, her travel writing has been seen on The Associated Press wire, MSN, FOX, CBS, NBC, Entrepreneur, 24/7 Wall St, Times Daily, and many more. When she’s not traveling, she can be found at hockey arenas all over BC cheering on her two young sons.
