4.7
9.1
Overall Score
Based out of San Francisco, Airbnb burst onto the scene in 2008. It was founded as an accommodations site which allows travelers to book unique temporary visits all across the world. The Airbnb community made it possible for travelers to book apartments, homes, villas, and even castles in over 191 countries at a reasonable rate.
Over 60 million people have booked their travel accommodations using Airbnb to date and they have over 2 million listings worldwide. It is important to note, however, that the only travel booking that can really take place on the Airbnb platform are lodging reservations.
Unlike traditional booking sites, Airbnb doesn't simply list prices and star ratings of the large hotel brands and chains. Instead, Airbnb offers a unique experience to those looking to stray from the typical hotel perspective of traveling. A network of "hosts" must qualify to list their properties on Airbnb. These hosts can be found in the U.S. and internationally. The ability to stay in the middle of a big city or off in a small, rural town is something that makes Airbnb stand out from traditional booking bureaus.
The listings on Airbnb cannot be found with any other travel agency. The accommodations they have for travelers are specific to their network which means they open up a whole new world to booking living quarters. For those interested in staying in the typical run-of-the-mill hotel chains, Airbnb will likely not be the best platform to use.
With Airbnb, travelers can book for just a night, a week, or even a month depending on the listing and location. One of the benefits to using Airbnb is that travelers can experience a unique side to their travel destination not otherwise available in a hotel. For instance, travelers can book the following:
Customer Review: Brayden from Texas
"I like the creative options and less touristy places to stay....sailboats! I also find that the owners are friendly and accommodating. the prices are usually better than national sites."
Rather than spend time sorting through thousands of possible accommodations, Airbnb users can quickly filter through search results to find their desired accommodation. A prospective traveler who uses Airbnb will be able to sort based on price, listing type, and even number of travelers. Another beneficial aspect to using Airbnb is that larger groups, for instance, can book a home for one low nightly cost. When split between the traveling party, the Airbnb option becomes much more affordable and often times provides a more comfortable living situation.
Another feature that benefits is travelers are the reviews and ratings. The rating system is also a helpful took to prospective travelers and even for Airbnb hosts. At the end of each stay, the host will rate the guests (based on how their property was treated) and the guests will rate the listing/host. These ratings help those who are looking to book using Airbnb and keeps guests from booking who find it difficult to treat the properties with respect.
Airbnb is included in the "travel booking" industry because of the ability to book lodging; however, there are some services missing. While Airbnb does provide an entirely original traveling experience, it only takes care of one aspect of the booking process. Most traveling agencies allow their travelers to book a number of their accommodations through their platform, but Airbnb focuses solely on where the traveler will stay throughout their trip. That means the following cannot be booked using Airbnb:
There are also some limitations as to where a traveler can visit and stay as well. Airbnb is a bit different from traditional hotel systems, so there are varying regulations placed on where they can operate. While they do operate in nearly 200 countries, there are some cities that do not allow Airbnb listings. So, if a traveler is set on one of those cities, they will need to book a traditional hotel.
Travelers looking to save on lodging will most likely want to try a different platform (unless traveling in a large group). Since some of the listings are rather lavish, the prices may seem to be more expensive than if a traveler were to simply book a hotel. There are deals and discounts available through Airbnb and prices per night will fluctuate depending on season, length of stay, demand, and size of the traveling party.
Airbnb is designed for the millennial traveler. Accommodations are found in unique areas and varying circumstances. Travelers interested in staying in places that would not be available to them otherwise would most likely enjoy using the Airbnb service. However, those looking for a more comprehensive way to book their travel may want to use another resource. Travelers who book their accommodations through Airbnb can expect the following:
Filter by:
Sort by:
Na Oshkosh, WI
2 weeks ago
Andy Beall Damascus, MD
1 month ago
Steven Klaproth Phoenix, AZ
1 month ago
CoasterRider Show Low, AZ
1 month ago
Leonard Thompson Show Low, AZ
1 month ago
Cris I. Orem, UT
1 month ago
Rebeckah Anestin Tallahassee, FL
1 month ago
Louisena Osias Tallahassee, FL
1 month ago
Maureen Canelo Valdosta, GA
1 month ago
Jodianna Altamonte Springs, FL
1 month ago
Stephanie Byrd Miami, FL
1 month ago
Brianna S Tallahassee, FL
1 month ago
Ramona Kiffing Pompano Beach, FL
1 month ago
Naya Tallahassee, FL
1 month ago
Gaby Alexander Tallahassee, FL
1 month ago
Kali D. Tallahassee, FL
1 month ago
Wilinda Sylvestre Tallahassee, FL
1 month ago
Valerie Bui Salt Lake City, UT
1 month ago
Destini Ferguson Tallahassee, FL
2 months ago
karis buggs
2 months ago
Christi Gilbert Gettysburg, PA
2 months ago
Anna Gratalo Salt Lake City, UT
2 months ago
J$ ,
2 months ago
Bing Yeung Riverton, UT
2 months ago
Ana Vila American Fork, UT
2 months ago
Taylor Hall Los Angeles, CA
2 months ago
Tracy McMillan Orem, UT
2 months ago
Janiah Cook Tallahassee, FL
2 months ago
Ivy King Norcross, GA
2 months ago
Aleena Hafiz ,
2 months ago
Joannetta Jarman Secaucus, NJ
2 months ago
Eban Beltran Arlington, TX
2 months ago
Juliana Castin Tallahassee, FL
2 months ago
Amy Patton Pflugerville, TX
2 months ago
Ashley Johnson Las Vegas, NV
2 months ago
Ellie Olea Chandler, AZ
2 months ago
Greg Francis Saratoga Springs, UT
2 months ago
daphjohnson Saratoga Springs, UT
2 months ago
CoachTrista Saratoga Springs, UT
2 months ago
Bailey Bowen Eagle Mountain, UT
2 months ago
applebutteranna Butler West Wendover, NV
2 months ago
A Johnson Phoenix, AZ
2 months ago
ang ,
2 months ago
Mike Halliday ,
2 months ago
Russell Kern Lehi, UT
2 months ago
Alexa Cooper Salt Lake City, UT
2 months ago
Nicole Johnson Portland, OR
2 months ago
Liza ,
2 months ago
Jamie Provo, UT
2 months ago
Alexa Williamson Orem, UT
2 months ago
We're on a mission to empower consumers to make the best decisions and connect confidently with companies that deserve their business.
© 2021 BestCompany.com LLC - All rights reserved Privacy Policy | Terms | Do Not Sell My Personal Information