“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
― Lao Tzu

Do you love to travel? Do you travel for business or pleasure? We recommend considering using AirBnB instead of a hotel for your next trip.

What is AirBnB?

AirBnB is an online marketplace and accommodation service, which enables people to lease short-term lodging. The rentals include houses, condos, or even just a room in a house. AirBnBs are mostly owned by individuals who rent their home as an extra income.

The picture with this blog is the house we stayed in at the Isle of Palms, South Carolina.

The Convenience of AirBnB

Searching for what you want is easy on their app or website. Just put the location and how many bedrooms and bathrooms you desire, as well as your price range. AirBnB shows you all of the properties that match your search criteria. It is easy to book because you can check the availability calendar and communicate directly with the homeowner. Since you stay in someone’s property and not a hotel, each AirBnB is unique.

Advantages of Using AirBnB

Through AirBnB, you can usually rent an entire house for a fraction of what it may cost for a hotel room. We have found that when we travel, whether for business or pleasure, we really enjoy having access to a kitchen and separate living space. We also like to travel with our dogs when we can, so it is easy to search for pet-friendly rentals.

Aside from costing less than a hotel, it also provides a more personal experience. Hosts can also provide valuable information about the area such as main attractions, great restaurants, weather conditions, transportation facilities, equipment to bring, and much more.

A lot of times, there are perks that come with staying in an AirBnB that you cannot get at a hotel. For instance, the owners included their golf cart in the rental of this 3-bedroom house. It was great for getting around in Wild Dunes. In Costa Rica, the owner allowed us to use his sea kayaks as part of the rental agreement.

Safety with AirBnB
After a stay in an AirBnB property, both the renter and the owner rate the other. We always check out the reviews about the home and homeowner. We look for things like responsiveness if there is an issue, whether it was clean, and the overall impression of the previous guests. You choose your location, so just be sure you choose a safe neighborhood. We have never felt unsafe.

Heads: We have used AirBnB in lots of places. Here are a few: New York City (WAY cheaper than hotels there), several coastal locations in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida, Costa Rica, and even Statesboro, Georgia.

Tails: You can also just rent a room. This involves staying in the home with other people, usually the owner. This is similar to a hostel, if you are familiar with that, although it is generally higher end. We have tried this a couple of times and decided that it is worth the extra money to rent an entire home. It’s just a little awkward.