Airbnb

• Unique Experience
• Booking Options
• Filtering
• Reviews and Ratings

Unique Experience

Unlike traditional booking sites, Airbnb doesn't simply list prices and star ratings of the large hotel brands and chains. Instead, Airbnb offers a unique experience to those looking to stray from the typical hotel perspective of traveling. A network of "hosts" must qualify to list their properties on Airbnb. These hosts can be found in the U.S. and internationally. The ability to stay in the middle of a big city or off in a small, rural town is something that makes Airbnb stand out from traditional booking bureaus. 

The listings on Airbnb cannot be found with any other travel agency. The accommodations it has for travelers are specific to its network, which means it opens up a whole new world to booking living quarters. For those interested in staying in the typical run-of-the-mill hotel chains, Airbnb will likely not be the best platform to use.

One more recent feature that Airbnb has rolled out is the option to not just book lodging, but also book unique travel activities and experiences directly through the company website. These activities include things like private cooking lessons with foreign or domestic chefs, horseback rides or other experiences with animals, art tours or lessons, and much more. Many of these experiences can even be done online, so you can book activities with Airbnb without traveling at all.

Booking Options

With Airbnb, travelers can book for just a night, a week, or even a month depending on the listing and location. One of the benefits of using Airbnb is that travelers can experience a unique side to their travel destination not otherwise available in a hotel. For instance, travelers can book the following:

• Apartments
• Townhomes
• Condos
• Homes
• Villas
• Castles

Customer Review: Brayden from Texas

"I like the creative options and less touristy places to stay....sailboats! I also find that the owners are friendly and accommodating. the prices are usually better than national sites."

Filtering

Rather than you having to spend time sorting through thousands of possible accommodations, Airbnb can quickly filter through search results to find your desired accommodation. A prospective traveler who uses Airbnb will be able to sort based on price, listing type, and even number of travelers. Another beneficial aspect to using Airbnb is that larger groups, for instance, can book a home for one low, nightly cost. When you are splittling the cost among the traveling party, the Airbnb option becomes much more affordable and often times provides a more comfortable living situation.

Reviews and Ratings

Another feature that benefits travelers is the reviews and ratings. The rating system on Airbnb is also a helpful tool to prospective travelers and even for Airbnb hosts. At the end of each stay, the host will rate the guests (based on how their property was treated) and the guests will rate the listing/host. These ratings help those who are looking to book using Airbnb and keeps guests from booking who find it difficult to treat the properties with respect.

• Limitations
• Pricing

Limitations

Airbnb is included in the "travel booking" industry because of the ability to book lodging and travel experiences; however, there are some services missing. While Airbnb does provide an entirely original traveling experience, it only takes care of select aspects of the booking process. Most traveling agencies allow their travelers to book a number of their accommodations through their platform, but Airbnb focuses solely on where the traveler will stay throughout their trip and some entertainment options. That means the following cannot be booked using Airbnb:

• Flights
• Cruises
• Vacation Packages

There are also some limitations as to where a traveler can visit and stay as well. Airbnb is a bit different from traditional hotel systems, so there are varying regulations placed on where it can operate. While it does operate in nearly 200 countries, there are some cities that do not allow Airbnb listings. So, if travelers are set on one of those cities, they will need to book a traditional hotel or work with a different travel site.

Pricing

Travelers looking to save on lodging will most likely want to try a different platform (unless traveling in a large group). Since some of the listings are rather lavish, the prices may seem to be more expensive than if a traveler were to simply book a hotel. There are deals and discounts available through Airbnb and prices per night will fluctuate depending on season, length of stay, demand, and size of the traveling party.