How to Book a Family Friendly Airbnb

After overcoming my initial hesitation with Airbnb a few years ago, we are now almost exclusive Airbnb travelers.  We love Airbnb for family travel because we get more space, unique locations, and a knowledgeable local guide in the hosts and/or guestbooks.

Airbnb has been around for several years, and has over 2 million rentals in 191 countries, but many families are hesitant to use the house sharing company. So today, we break down the benefits and how to book a family friendly Airbnb.

As an added bonus, Airbnb currently offers a $27 AUD ($20 USD) discount if you sign up and book your first stay through this link!

Hobart Schoolhouse

Benefits of Airbnb for Comfortable Travel

Extra space – For the cost of a boring, standard-issue hotel room, we get a full house (or apartment) in a prime location. Depending on the experience, sometimes the rates are half the price of a local hotel room. When we are on the road with CZ, it is invaluable to have a separate room for her to sleep in so that we don’t have to whisper in dim lighting from 7-10pm each night. Additionally, most rentals are fully equipped with kitchens and all the necessary appliances so that we can eat in or prepare food for long hikes. One of our favourite meals included a Christmas feast from a local Italian Pantry at our Airbnb in Hobart.

Home rentals are ideal for trips with extended family. It is nice to share a kitchen and living space, while still having the privacy and comfort of your own room. I am so excited to check out the large home we are renting in Hawaii with my parents, the photos look incredible!

Our beautiful three-story accommodation in Toledo

Local Experience – Most Airbnb rentals are privately owned by people who love to share their city! We have experienced some of the best cafes, restaurants, and excursions based upon the recommendations of our hosts. In countries where we are not native speakers, it is especially helpful to have a patient local guide.

Unique Spaces – Staying at Airbnb offers a multitude of options for unique experiences. We loved sleeping at a beautifully renovated church school-house in Hobart, a colonial mountain cottage in Leura, a cute farm in Weegena, and so many more! Our Toledo rental remains the closest I have ever been to my dream home (minus the part when we scraped the rental car in the miniature garage). It was more than a century old with the most thoughtful incorporation of the old architecture and modern convenience. Fun fact: we could live there for less than we pay in rent in Sydney…so tempting

One of the courtyards in our lovely Toledo Airbnb

How to Book A Family Friendly Airbnb

Airbnb is not just for backpackers and single travelers; we love renting homes even more now that we are traveling with CZ! However, there are some key aspects to know before you book. Let’s get into the details on how to find the best family friendly Airbnb!

1. Search for your location – Look at the location and average price range for your desired dates to get an idea for the availability. In some locations, Airbnb rentals are hard to come by, while in others they are everywhere.
2. Use the Filters – I always filter for Full apartment/House, Family/Kid Friendly, and no pets. Depending on our intended itinerary, I may also go into the Amenities filter and consider A/C and heat, wireless internet, laundry, or free parking.
3. Read the listing and reviews – Peruse your narrowed options and look for established rental properties. Keep in mind that properties vary widely and there is no consistency in quality. The low barrier to entry for an Airbnb listing means that, despite Airbnb’s impressive efforts to verify hosts and guests, you need to develop your own trust in the listing host, based on messaging, reviews, and photos.
   • We like to stay at places with at least 15 reviews, but depending on the area you look at, it isn’t always possible.
   • Sometimes people feel uncomfortable leaving negative reviews for nice hosts, or the property was generally as expected. but not amazing. Read between the lines and pick up on trends that might point to issues such as cleanliness, loud noises, or less than ideal locations (Airbnb maintains a bit of privacy for the renters, so the exact address is only provided after you book).
   • If the host has negative reviews, read their response – sometimes you can tell that the reviewer had an unrealistic expectation; or maybe other reviewers validate their lackluster experience when you read between the lines.
   • If the property you want is short on reviews, check out the profile of the host to see if he/she has other listings with more feedback. Some hosts use other services as well, and may be able to provide additional references.

A teeny, tiny studio apartment in Seville with a Murphy bed – not so family friendly but perfect for honeymooning!

Note: We are wary of anything on the internet, so trust your gut when it comes to booking a place. This quote from Essentialism says it all, “If it isn’t a clear yes, then it’s a clear no.” If you are not over the moon excited about staying at a rental, then choose another place.

Hosts have the option of instant book, which is more similar to a hotel where you choose your dates and reserve the rental immediately. If the property requires a booking request, that generally means you will be staying on a private property or the host will be nearby. Write a little paragraph about your family and intended visit. The host will then read through your renter reviews (if any), and respond to your booking request. We have never been denied a rental during this process, but if you are new to Airbnb it might be easier to find an Instant Book property to build up your reviews.

We love seeing more of the world from someone else’s front porch, and can’t wait for our next adventure! Again, if you are new to Airbnb, click this link to sign up and receive a $27 AUD credit towards your first stay!

Cathedral views from our Seville rooftop patio

Pin this: