Spend your money, time, & energy on purpose.

I’m struggling to figure out the minimalist hipster microwave in my Airbnb when I hear my phone ping. I fuss with the buttons and knobs on the microwave (maybe it’s not a microwave?) as my phone pings again and again and again.

I’ve just posted a video tour of the place where I’m staying – all exposed brick and gorgeous light – and I’m pretty such I know what the Instagram dms are going to say: “How do you find these great places?!” and “Where are you? What’s the listing for this place?”

For ages people have been asking me to share my best Airbnb tips and how I find such great places. This, my friends, is that post!

(And no Airbnb post would be complete without me sharing my affiliate code for $40 towards your first booking. So there’s that.)

If you’re preemtively side-eyeing Airbnb and thinking “Why would I want to use a service that requires a how-to and tips? I don’t need a tutorial on booking hotels! Harumph!”

I get it. But here are three reasons I will almost always use Airbnb:

1. You will almost always get more for your money

Last week, four of us stayed in this two-bedroom waterfront condo for a total of $99 a night. The hotel directly across the street is $153 per night for a room with one queen bed. This is pretty much the case everywhere, ever.

2. You can stay in a residential neighborhood rather than out by the airport

You know what I’m talking about. Most non-boutique hotels exist in that weird hinterland between the highway and Applebee’s. Most Airbnbs are in real, actual neighborhoods.

You can go for a walk in the morning! Pop down to the coffee shop! Get an idea of how locals live rather than eating hotel oatmeal with a bunch of business travelers!

3. You’re putting money directly in the pockets of locals (rather than multinational hospitality conglomerates) 

The money I give my Airbnb host is helping her pay for groceries and her kid’s soccer camp. When I stay at a Holiday Inn, my money is going to InterContinental Hotels Group. And who are they, really?

10 Airbnb tips to find great hosts + avoid grody hovels

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