Tired of booking hotels and Airbnbs that don’t live up to expectations? We’re sharing our foolproof system—honed over 100+ stays—that guarantees you’ll find the best accommodation every time (and avoid those dreaded travel disappointments)!
Confession: When we first started traveling we were on such a tight budget that there wasn’t much consideration that went into booking accommodation.
It was simple: We booked the cheapest place we could find (aka usually a hostel dorm room!).
And if there were a few options, we’d compare reviews or consult our trusty and dog-eared Lonely Planet guide book to see their recommendation.
But over the years, we’ve come to really appreciate a nice and unique stay. Plus, now that we typically travel as a family, our priorities are different.
In the past several years, we’ve stayed at more than 100 hotels and Airbnbs. Yes, really! Out of all those stays I can only recount 3 stays that were not what we expected! (That’s a really solid “success rate”, if I do say so myself!)
So how do we consistently book great hotels and Airbnbs?
I’m so glad you asked, because we have a tried-and-true system, and I’m about to spill the tea…
(You won’t want to miss #3 on this list!)
Follow these tips the next time you book accommodation for a trip, and there’s a pretty good chance (some would say 97/100!) that you’ll have a great stay!
And no—before you ask—we don’t have an unlimited hotel budget! We certainly have more to work with than we did when we primarily slept in hostel dorms, but we consider ourselves very middle-of-the-road when it comes to budget.
1. Determine whether a hotel or Airbnb is better
I always start by comparing properties on Airbnb vs. hotels.
In some places, hotels are a way better choice while in other areas, the quality and price of the Airbnb market is far superior. Have a cursory glance at both platforms before you decide which type to book.
Also, think about the type of trip you’re on:
- Are you driving or walking everywhere?
- Do you want to be able to cook?
- Are there any hotel amenities (like staff, breakfast, pool) that you really want?
- Do you want outdoor space to hang out in? A private hot tub or fire pit?
- Are you traveling solo, as a couple, with family, or as a group?
Thinking about these things can help point you in the right direction.
→ Psst! Here’s why we prefer Airbnbs when traveling with children! (Plus, some tips on exactly what to look for when booking with little ones.)
2. Start your search early
I’m very guilty of last-minute booking, but this sometimes means I miss out on the really spectacular places, or those that are really reasonably-priced.
When possible, book out as far as you can.
Note: Not every trip has to be booked super far in advance, but if you’re visiting during a popular time of year (like Christmas markets or leaf peeping), or you’re traveling to a small town, I’d recommend starting your search especially early for the best options.
Insider tip: Lots of places on Airbnb and Booking.com have free cancellation, and you can filter to only display these properties. That way it’s less of a commitment.
3. Be a ratings snob
I’m a self-described ratings snob, but I’m okay with it because that’s how we find such great places.
After many, many Airbnb and hotels stays, these are the thresholds that we have personally found gives us quality properties every single time:
⭐️ Airbnbs: 4.9 or above
Actually, I try to aim for 4.95 whenever possible!
You simply can’t have many issues with anything and maintain a rating that high.
⭐️ Booking.com: 8.5 or above
We aim for 9.0 or above when possible, but sometimes our budget doesn’t allow this.
Since Booking.com’s rating system is out of 10, we’ve found that 8.5 is a pretty good equivalent to the 4.9 rating on Airbnb.
Booking.com is the platform we personally use, but if you prefer a different platform, it might take you a bit to get a feel for what really good ratings look like.
Expert tip: Take into consideration how many reviews the host has. For instance, a property with a 5-star rating from only 2 reviews is less appealing (in our opinion) than a property with a 4.5-star rating from 375 guest reviews.
4. Scour the reviews
In addition to the star rating, pay attention to the reviews.
I make it a habit to read all the reviews going back at least 1 year, and even further if I still have questions.
Expert hack: You can also use the Find feature to type in a keyword that is important to you.
- Will you be working on this trip? Type in “wifi” or “internet” and see if any reviews mention the speed.
- Traveling with a kid? Type “kid”, “child” or “baby” to see reviews from other parents.
- Really picky about beds? Type “bed” and see what other guests have to say.
Hint: To access the Find feature, type Ctrl + F (PC) or Cmd + F (Apple).
5. Look for something unique
On some trips, we’re simply looking for a place to stay.
But more and more often, we have been trying to choose at least one accommodation on a trip as a “destination” in itself, and it is often a highlight of our entire travels.
Examples of what I mean:
- A cabin in the woods near Mount Hood, Oregon boasting a hot tub and fire pit.
- A geodome in the jungle of the Yucatan with a fresh breakfast delivered daily by rope pulley. (pictured above)
- A farm stay in a remote village in France with alpacas and donkeys and fresh croissants each morning.
- A cabin in the Irish countryside with a communal area with Guinness on tap, a private hot tub, and a sauna.
Those are all places we’ve personally stayed at and LOVED. (And they’re all relatively budget-friendly.)
6. Manage your expectations
Part of having a great stay comes down to having the place you book meet or exceed your expectations.
Budget does have something to do with it. I mean, if you’re planning to stay in an expensive city, like Seattle, and are looking to spend $150 per night or less, you won’t have many great options.
But if you have realistic expectations for the $150 per night place (and you follow all of the steps above), you shouldn’t be disappointed in what you get.
But wait, there’s more!
Okay, that sounded like a bad infomercial… let’s try again…
This article has covered our general system for booking outstanding accommodation, but I have lots more advice for you when it comes to booking the perfect Airbnb.
See our full breakdown of everything we think about when booking an Airbnb…
Let us help you travel better…
Be sure to check out our Travel Planning Homepage for resources on everything you need to know about how to plan a trip, from packing to budgeting and more! Or you can read some of our favorite articles about planning your next trip below.
- How to Plan a Trip in 10 Simple Steps
- Expert Tips for Finding Cheap Flights
- Carry-On Packing List: What You Actually Need on a Flight
- Our Favorite Travel Essentials
- This is the one thing we NEVER travel without!
- Tips to Fight Jet Lag (that actually work!)
- How to Get Cell Service Abroad (without spending a fortune!)
→ Traveling as a family? Don’t miss our family travel articles!
What if the hard part was already done for you?
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We want to hear from you!
Did any of these tips surprise you? What system do you use when booking accommodation for travel? Leave your comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!