Booking and staying in an Airbnb can be rather intimidating your first few times. However, the goal of this post is to relieve your fears and to help better educate you on Airbnb; especially for those who may be leery or overly cautious about staying in one. I’ve had people ask, with confusion in their voice, “So, you just stay in someone else’s home?!” The answer is yes, and I LOVE it! Here are five reasons to choose Airbnb instead of a hotel

“I have a discount code for you: $35 off your stay if you use this airbnb link to sign up to a new account. This is only for a new sign up (you can make a new account if you already have one) and will come off your first booking”

5 Reasons to Choose Airbnb

1. Live like a local

Airbnbs are immersed in neighborhoods, condos, and townhomes. They’re along beaches, canals, Main Streets, main attractions, or they can be secluded.

There is a feeling you get when you stay in an Airbnb that makes you feel like you belong in that city or town. Since it is someone’s home, there is a certain amount of pride you feel while staying there.

Hotels have a way of feeling very business like, cookie-cutter, and the same ‘ole same ‘ole. Airbnb’s leave you feeling like you’re living like a local.

5 Reasons to Choose Airbnb

2. Flexibility

Many hotels are strict about their check-in or check-out policy and have minimal ability to accommodate those wishes. So far, every Airbnb we’ve stayed in has been able to work with our schedules.

We understand that there are times this may not work out, but it has been nice to check in at 9:00 in the morning, shower and get ready, leave our bags, and hit the streets running. The cancellation policy on an Airbnb can also be negotiated.

5 Reasons to Choose Airbnb

3. More space for less money

There are different options when choosing an Airbnb, but we always pick to have the entire place to ourselves. You can choose to just have a private room, but we like our privacy!

Most of the time, when booking an entire place, you are buying yourself more room. In Europe, most hotels require you to book a suite or two rooms if you’re traveling with more than two people. That can be pricey!

For about half the price the hotels were charging, we were able to book an Airbnb with a separate bedroom, central location, two minutes away from the train station, AND a balcony overlooking the streets of Paris! Winner winner chicken dinner, folks!

5 Reasons to Choose Airbnb

4. Amenities

Speaking from booking an entire place on Airbnb, the amenities that are included can be priceless. Having a full kitchen at your disposal is awesome! It’s a great way to save money if you’d like to have meal or two in. Especially breakfast.

You can go to the market and stock up on waters, wine, and snacks…and more wine. Also, most have a washer and dryer. This may come in handy if you have younger kids, or if you don’t want to bring home a stockpile of dirty laundry.

5 Reasons to Choose Airbnb

5. One-on-one interaction with the owner

When staying in an Airbnb, you have one-on-one communication with the owner from the time you book, until the time you leave. You’re not just another customer or number. You’re a person or family who will be spending time in their home. One of the best things about this relationship is that they truly want you to be happy. The owners are typically very helpful with recommendations, directions, and any information they feel may benefit you on your trip.

You’re not just another customer or number. You’re a person or family who will be spending time in their home. One of the best things about this relationship is that they truly want you to be happy.

The owners are typically very helpful with recommendations, directions, and any information they feel may benefit you on your trip.

Airbnb’s are review based, so before we stay anywhere, I’m reading every review. Therefore, I feel secure with my booking decision.Being confident on where you’re staying and who you’re doing business with is very important.

One of my top reason’s for staying in an Airbnb over a hotel is that I feel I’m supporting a small local business. After leaving some Airbnb’s, we feel like we’re leaving friends and vow to return.

Booking an Airbnb has become one of the fun parts of planning a trip. Will it have a view? Is it modern, or is it traditional? Do we have a house, condo, or cabin? The options are endless with choosing an Airbnb. It’s an adventure of its own!

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This is a guest post from the Time Zone Travelers: Since April of 2016, Bryan and Jaemye started to travel the world with their two teenagers. What sets them apart from other world travelers? They leave on a whim and will spend a few days exploring a new city or country. Hence the name, Time Zone Travelers. Follow their adventures and gather useful tips by checking out their blog! Also, stay updated by following them on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.