How to Book Airbnb for the First Time

Airbnb, standing for “Air Bed and Breakfast,” is one of the leading platforms for booking short-term accommodation in various places. Certainly, you must have come across it on the internet when searching for a place to stay during a work or holiday trip.

This online travel platform connects people who want to rent out their homes with guests looking for accommodation in specific locations. Their services are offered worldwide through the web or a mobile app. Airbnb makes revenue by charging a fee to both guests and hosts.

As a full-time traveler who has lived and worked in different cities in Kenya, the US, and the Middle East, I have great experiences with Airbnb. It’s one of the best alternatives to other popular booking platforms such as Hopper, VRBO, Priceline, and even direct bookings. 

A little bit about Airbnb

Airbnb started in early 2008 when two roommates in San Francisco, US decided to put an air mattress in their living room and rent it out as bed and breakfast. The business gained traction when all the hotel rooms around were sold out due to a major conference that was taking place. 

The idea of having access to more household amenities including a kitchen caused panic in hotel industries. You also get first-hand experience staying in a given location. Homeowners also did not sleep on the idea of renting out extra or available spaces to make income.

According to Airbnb’s latest data, it now has more than 5 million hosts with over 7 million listings, covering some 100,000 cities and towns in 220-plus countries and regions worldwide. However, the company has had its share of backlash occasioned by poor services by some hosts.

How to Book Airbnb

If you are using Airbnb for the first time, you’ll need to start by creating an account. Here is how to go about it:

1. Visit the Airbnb website and click on the signup tab. Provide your phone number or continue with your Facebook, Google, Apple, or email account. Among other things, you’ll need to verify your phone number and upload your government ID. These are kept safe and will not be shared with the host.
2. When your account is set, login and type in your destination, check-in and check-out dates, and number of guests you are booking for. Various available listings will be shown including photos, host info, house rules, and reviews from previous guests.
3. There are various filters on the portal to customize your search. When you’ve found the accommodation you want, book and reserve it. 
4. Pay for the accommodation and you will receive a notification stating that you’ve just made a reservation. The host doesn’t receive the payment until 24 hours after your scheduled check-in.
5. Go to your booking page to find important details about your host including address, full name, and contact information.
6. You can arrange to pay an initial deposit and install the rest for long-term stays. This applies to reservations of 28 nights or more.

Note: Booking for someone else, in particular family and friends, is against Airbnb’s policy unless you’re staying together. Hosts rely on the guest’s profile for verification and approval. This can be possible when dealing with a person who has no account on the platform.

Disadvantages of booking your accommodation on Airbnb

Airbnb has made travel more feasible by providing a way to find less expensive accommodation options compared to traditional hotels and lodges. The platform has also provided various homeowners with new opportunities to earn income by renting out their homes or extra spaces.

However, like any other booking platforms, Airbnb has its downfalls which might make you think twice before booking.

1. They give too many options just for a single search

Too many options while searching for just a single place to stay is a no for me. It’s overwhelming to go through all the listed options and make the right choice. You’ll have to sit down and refine your search, which I find to be time-consuming. Listing just a few excellent options would be much better.

2. What you see may not be what you get

Property owners have all the freedom to post what they find attractive and leave out what’s not. I remember paying for one vocational home in Diani Kenya, and in the middle of the stay all taps ran dry. One of the rooms was under renovation and the bathroom was completely unusable. 

3. May not be legal in some places

Some people illegally operate Airbnb businesses. This can put guests in great danger especially when local ordinances are contravened. One day I booked an apartment on Airbnb and when I checked in, the neighbors called the police claiming that I’m a stranger in their midst. To follow up on the matter, the owner had no permission to run such a business in that particular estate.

4. No serious repercussions for violation of rules

Some hosts can act rude or irresponsible but they hardly face any serious repercussions of such actions. Sometimes they can cancel on you putting your entire trip in jeopardy. In some cases,  guests have also shown unruly behaviors but end up going scot-free.

5. Airbnb may not be the budget-friendly option

Sometimes the costs of booking Airbnb may not be pocket-friendly as compared to what other options are offering.  Considering taxes, service charges in addition to the nightly rates, the costs of Airbnb can add up and potentially be higher than hotels around.

Final thought

Airbnb, which started as an air mattress in a living room, is today one of the most successful companies in the tourism industry with global revenue reaching nearly 10 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Travelers choose Airbnb over other options due to lower costs and probably access to more household amenities. Booking is a straightforward process and can be done on the web or app.