Not long ago, no one would have imagined that vacationing in a stranger’s home would be a thing until Airbnb disrupted the hotel industry by offering travelers a cheaper, more comfortable, and cooler travel alternative. With millions of listings in over 220 countries and over 100,000 cities,, an Airbnb rental has something for everyone – including families.
You no longer have to cram your entire family into one tiny hotel room or pay exorbitant rates for a suite. An Airbnb rental gives your family all the comforts of home, often for a comparable or cheaper price than a hotel. Cooking meals in your Airbnb rental kitchen instead of eating at pricey restaurants helps save money, too.
Airbnb became invaluable during COVID, as it is a safe way to vacation with members of your immediate family without having to interact with other guests or staff, like you would have to at a hotel.
Even during non-pandemic times, it gives parents something even more important: space. “Unless you’re fancy enough to rent a suite each time you go out of town, sharing a hotel room sucks with a kid or a baby,” Claire Zulkey previously commented on Mom.com. “We got an adorable Airbnb and it was pretty much the best thing ever. We didn’t waste money on hotel or restaurant breakfasts … and the one we found was cute enough that it was really nice hanging out there.”
Of course, the travel industry as a whole has paid a price with the pandemic. We’ll take a look at rental tips, as well as COVID-19 tips, to make sure your Airbnb stay is as good as it can be.
Steps in using Airbnb and important COVID tips to know
How can I find a cheaper price for my family vacation?
Whether you go glam or basic depends on your budget, although some locations are notoriously pricier than others. (I’m looking at you, New York City.) The price filter tab lets you choose Airbnb rentals in your range. People assume Airbnb rentals are less expensive than hotels, but that isn’t always the case, especially when you’re renting a whole home or apartment. Cleaning, tax, and service fees can add more than you expect to the total price.
Some ways of finding cheaper prices include renting off-season, staying midweek, renting for longer periods, or renting a room rather than a whole house. Sometimes hosts with new listings offer a lower price to attract vacationers. It’s also possible to get discounts by searching for Airbnb coupon codes.
There’s also the question of negotiating for a lower price. Some people think it doesn’t hurt to ask, but many Airbnb hosts disagree. On Airhosts Forum, one experienced host remarked, “I always decline discount seekers. Most turn out to be the worst guests … if they don’t respect your price, they won’t respect your place.”
Finally, we all know that traveling with your kids can be stressful. Finding the ideal Airbnb rental won’t stop your kids’ inevitable meltdowns, but it just may prevent yours.
