I'll never forget the first time I heard of Airbnb. The instructor in one of my college marketing classes showed us a video of this new and upcoming trend...people staying in strangers' home.
WTF.
That is dumb. And terrifying. Who in their right mind would do this? That's like getting in a stranger's car....
Wait. like Uber.
But this is different. You're sleeping there. I couldn't imagine doing it. A few years passed by. And then I did it. Now I wished I would've done it sooner.
If you allow yourself to think outside of the box, Airbnb is a game changer. Of course, there are factors to consider. For example, I will only stay in private places (as opposed to sleeping in a private room in someone's hallway. I also like to travel to an Airbnb with a partner. With that being said, there are major perks to staying in an Airbnb compared to a traditional hotel.
Your own personal travel agent
Yelp is good. Google maps are ok. Locals are best. The host will most likely have a list of things to do in the area - the best places to grab a drink, good food in walking distance, etc. If you're lucky, you may even get a chance to chat with them and pick their brain. If they live there, chances are they like the area. They have had the time to sift through and find the best stuff - so leave it to them. (P.S. - If you're not a people-person or more introverted, have no fear - a lot of hosts are out of the way unless you pursue them).
Be Boujee on a Budget
Hotels are expensive. And for what? The location? The nice gym? Being on the top floor? Regardless, you are in a cracker box. If you want to really live it up for a night, rent out the studio apartment. Ever wondered what it would be like to live in a high rise in Chicago? You know, like they do in the movies? Do it. You're going to be in a great location for a significantly less price tag.
Get Quirky
No two Air Bnbs are the same -you can choose your own adventure! I have stayed in an industrial warehouse renovated into a downtown loft. A yurt tucked into the foothills of the North Carolina mountains. A retro studio in downtown Louisville. Choosing an Airbnb allows you to stay outside of the box - sleep for a night in a tree house, a school bus, or a top-floor apartment in the big city. The stay will be half of the adventure!
Space it out
One of the most obvious benefits of choosing an airbnb over a hotel is the upgrade in space. If you plan to stay for an extended trip (3+ days), then this is a must. Get comfortable! It is like having a home away from home. After a day of exploring, what would you rather do?
a) Drive to the hotel. Try to find a parking spot.Go into the lobby. Take the elevator to your floor. Walk down the long hallway. Go into your room. Lay on the bed until you fall asleep.
b) Drive to the AirBnb. Park outside of the place. Maybe you sit on the porch swing and rock back and forth as the sun dips over the horizon. Maybe you grab a snack in the kitchen, sit near the island and play some cards. Or maybe you head into the living room, kick back and watch some TV before retreating to the bedroom.
Make a memory
Hotels are hotels. It's that simple. You may have some variables - the thread count, what floor you stay on, or how scratchy the towels are. Make your stay a part of the memory! For example, a place we stayed in had a piano, so my partner and I spent a morning playing and singing together. Another one of my favorite memories of traveling was waking up in a yurt that sat over a babbling creek. When I opened up the tarp door, the sun was just starting to peak over the valley. This ain't happening at a Hilton.
-MT