Airbnb gets a lot of flack, but it’s a great platform for travelers who spend a lot of time on the road. In fact, it’s an excellent option for anyone looking for a place to stay that includes all the comforts of home, like a kitchen and washing machine. 

When you rent an Airbnb, you get a taste of what it’s like to live in the region you’re staying in — whether it’s a city two hours from your house or a far-flung place on an entirely different continent. Some of the differences you experience can be quite different from what you’re used to.

After nearly six years of virtually non-stop Airbnb’s, I think I’m pretty qualified to define the traits of a superb place to stay. I’ve had my share of good and bad experiences, but they’ve all helped me to learn the signs of a great option and a not-so-good one.

Here’s what I look for when I choose an Airbnb.

Proximity to A Grocery Store

Unless you plan on eating out every night, which probably isn’t good for your wallet or your waistline, you want an Airbnb within a mile of a decent grocery store. If you plan to rent a car or travel with one, you can get by with a grocery store a little further away. 

When you have a nearby grocery store, you can easily walk there when you run out of milk or crave a pack of Haribo’s gummy bears. You don’t have to call a taxi or try to navigate the bus system. It just makes for a simpler experience.

A One-of-a-Kind Theme

Some of my most memorable Airbnb experiences come from places with neat design themes. For example, I rented an apartment in Nuuk, Greenland, owned by an airline pilot from Air Greenland. The entire theme of the apartment was turboprop planes. There were pictures on the wall of aircraft, and the TV’s LCD screen lit up with a view of a cockpit every time I turned it on.

I rented an apartment in an ancient limestone house near Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Croatia. While the amenities weren’t necessarily anything to write home about, the bedroom was a tiny corridor framed by a stone archway that was hundreds of years old. It had probably been there since around the time of the Palace’s original development. 

A Clean Kitchen

If you’re renting an Airbnb, you probably plan to cook a few meals at home. Whether you’re on a short weekend trip or doing a monthly stay, you’ll need a countertop and some essential kitchen appliances to throw together a quick meal of spaghetti and meatballs or heat a bowl of oatmeal.

I look pretty carefully at the pictures the host includes of the kitchen. At a minimum, I’ll want an oven and a small cooking range. Interestingly, many overseas Airbnbs I’ve stayed at don’t have microwaves. While I use a microwave quite frequently in the U.S., I’m now accustomed to not having one.

A Washing Machine

If an Airbnb doesn’t have a washing machine, that’s an immediate “no” for me. I usually plan to stay for a few weeks or several months, and I don’t want to herd my clothes down to the nearest laundromat. It’s much easier to throw on a load of laundry on my schedule.

I have stayed at several Airbnbs that had communal washing machines. For instance, in Ecuador, it’s typical for apartment buildings to have a small facility that has multiple washing machines. Everyone can use them. That worked fine for me. I just managed my schedule to handle my laundry needs during the week when most people were at work and wouldn’t be doing their wash.

A Unique Feature

Some Airbnbs will have interesting features you’re unlikely to see elsewhere. That unique characteristic is something you can tell your friends and family about after your stay. You’ll keep it with you as a memory of your visit wherever you go.

One memorable Airbnb I stayed at was in Budapest, Hungary. The flat was perfect for a solo traveler. It had a loft containing a double bed and a steep wooden ladder you climbed up when it was time for bed at night. Plus, you could hang your towels on a heated rack, which was pleasant during a cold winter.

A Responsive Host

Some Airbnbs allow you to rent directly without interacting with the host. I prefer to message them before I book a stay, even if they allow immediate bookings. A quick message confirms their place is available and helps get a sense of whether they’ll be pleasant to deal with or problems await you.

Usually, I’ll find something about their place to inquire about, even if it’s minor. For instance, I might ask whether cabs are available at the airport or if they’d mind if I checked in thirty minutes early. I know they’re attentive to their guests if they respond quickly and warmly. I can contact them if an issue arises.

Good Reviews

Airbnb allows prior customers to leave reviews on their stay. I always read those carefully before I initiate a booking to see if there are any potential red flags. Of course, I try to maintain objectivity because guests aren’t perfect, and sometimes their actions can lead to a poor experience.

If a customer leaves a bad review, I’ll look to see how the host responded. If their response was friendly and addressed the person’s concerns, I’ll probably look past it. However, if they use their response to tear down the guest, I’ll move on to the next option. Overly defensive hosts usually aren’t agreeable to deal with.

A Comfortable Bed

After a long day of exploring a new place (especially if you’re on foot), the last thing you want is a rock-hard bed that’s impossible to sleep on. While you can’t always tell how comfortable a mattress is from pictures, there will usually be a few tell-tale signs if you look carefully.

I look for Airbnb’s that have well-kept beds with thick pillows. I hate flat pillows, and I like to read at night before I go to bed, so extra fluffiness helps ensure I can read in a comfortable position. If where I’m going is particularly hot (or cold), I look for extra bedding that’s easy to remove or add when needed.

Choosing The Right Airbnb Can Save You Lots of Headaches

If you’ve ever had a bad Airbnb experience, it’s probably not something you want to repeat. It can ruin even the best of vacations and leave a sour taste whenever you think of the place you visited. 

When you find a quality Airbnb, you’ll have a seamless experience that aligns well with the rest of your holiday plans. Use my tips to find your next Airbnb, or drop a comment to note anything I missed!