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The Discount Website Hotels Don’t Want You to Use

March 13 // 11 Comments // 4 Minute Read

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If you think Airbnb only offers guest rooms in someone else’s home, you’re in for a big surprise. Find out how my Airbnb experience was totally different, and why this website is now FIRST on my list for our next vacation!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.

She got to stay in a private cabin on a horse farm on memorial day weekend and it cost significantly less than a hotel room?! Okay... after reading about this girl's Airbnb experience I'm definitely checking them out! Sounds like such a cool {and inexpensive option} for whenever I need a place to stay. #traveltips #airbnb #airbnbreview #travelhacks

Ever since Andrea guest posted about earning money as an Airbnb host, I’ve been super intrigued.

You see, I previously thought Airbnb was sketchy and unsafe. I thought it was full of rented couches and guest rooms. It was definitely not something I would have ever considered if I was going on vacation, that’s for sure!

But I also needed a place for a 3-day business retreat around Memorial Day weekend, and every condo, hotel room, and guest house were completely booked on ALL the websites I looked at. So on a whim, I initiated a search on Airbnb.

Related: How to Plan Your Best Vacation Yet (Stress-Free Travel is Possible!)

Editable Vacation Packing List

Never forget your toothpaste or contact solution again! Now you can know for sure you have everything you need for every upcoming vacation!

What I found was shocking:

  1. You didn’t have to rent a guest room if you didn’t want to—there were private houses, cabins, and condos available too.
  2. Many of these options were available in the exact area we wanted.
  3. The prices were extremely reasonable!

I ended up booking a cute little cabin on 16-acre working horse farm in the Hilton Head area, all for a price cheaper than a crummy hotel room. Although I was initially nervous—it being our first Airbnb stay and all, I shouldn’t have worried.

Everything was incredible, and this experience completely changed my mood about Airbnb. In fact, next time we need a place to stay, I’m checking Airbnb FIRST! 

So if you’re like me and previously wrote off this alternative to lodging, here’s why you should reconsider.

1. You Get the Personalized Airbnb Experience

While hotels are nice, one downside to them is that cookie-cutter feel. The staff isn’t always pleasant, or willing to make your stay as comfortable as possible. On the flip side, Airbnb is part of the sharing economy, which means you get a host who is renting out their actual home {or in our case, a cabin that was on their property}.

Our host went above and beyond to provide muffins, fruit, water, and juice for breakfast. They knew the best restaurants to eat around town, and fun places to walk when we needed a break. Oh, and they lived on a horse farm. How cool is that??

A photo posted by Kalyn Brooke (@creativesavings) on May 31, 2016 at 7:16pm PDT

Of course, there’s condos and apartments available on Airbnb too, but there’s also Bed and Breakfast set-ups, tree houses, airstream trailers, and more. Some even have access to free bikes, private beaches, fireplaces, and a pool. You really don’t know what’s available until you look!

2. You Meet Some Really Cool People

One of my biggest hangups about Airbnb was having to talk to a hostess. I know that sounds a little crazy, but when I’m on vacation, I like to be alone!

I had absolutely no cause for concern though—none whatsoever. Our hostess was lovely to be around, and knew exactly when to communicate and when to let us work. We enjoyed the company when she was at the farm, but also enjoyed our alone time too. It was the perfect balance.

Maybe it sounds crazy, but we formed somewhat of a friendship over the three days we stayed there. I know that if we drove through South Carolina again, our host would love having us stop by for a visit. How often do you feel like that after you leave a hotel? Not ever.

airbnb experience

3. It’s Cheaper

One of the things I’m always looking to do is save money on the essentials when I travel. That’s why I included a lengthy travel section in my resource on how to manage money better. So of course the cost of an Airbnb was one of the things I looked closely at.

Some Airbnb’s will be expensive—it really depends on the listing, the area, and the host. But the majority of them are super cheap!

For instance, the hotels we were considering would have cost us over $120 per night {this was on the reasonable end of things}, and yet we scored an entire cabin for just $90 per night. Our cabin had access to a kitchen, wifi, a quaint bedroom and bathroom, a small living room, and a front and back porch. Oh, and horses!!

We got a lot more for our dollar than a musty hotel room would have ever given us, and like I said before, an amazing Airbnb experience.

Smart Tips for Your First Airbnb Stay

The Airbnb website is pretty self-explanatory, but there are some good-to-know tips if you’re a first timer. Here’s what I suggest:

  • Don’t book last minute. Airbnb is becoming super popular, and the best-reviewed rooms and homes are taken very quickly. It also takes time to communicate with the host and get any questions you have answered.
  • Interested in trying Airbnb? Here's six essential tips to remember for your first stay. Plus, if you click through to the post and book using the link at the bottom, you'll automatically get a $25 credit!If you’re nervous about privacy, book an entire home or apartment. To be honest, I was worried about staying in a guest room where someone else lived. Narrowing my search to an entire home or apartment allowed me to get to know the Airbnb system better without feeling too vulnerable.
  • Check for extended stay rates. Sometimes if you stay for a week or more, you can get a discount. This is usually listed on the website, but even if it’s not, just ask!
  • Communicate with the host before you book. You can learn a lot by how they respond to you, and it made me feel more comfortable “knowing” a little bit more about my host before our stay.
  • Be respectful. Even though we didn’t have to clean up, we still pulled the sheets off the bed and put used towels in the laundry basket. Treat the room like you would want someone to treat yours.
  • Leave a review. Reviews are what make Airbnb work. One of the reasons why I picked this cabin was from over thirty 5-star reviews. After your stay, you and the hostess get a chance to review each other {so be a good guest!}, and it adds trust, which is the backbone of Airbnb.

Visiting new places is more than just finding a place to stay, it’s about “living there” and exploring each town like a local. Airbnb provides exactly that, and now I’m hooked!

2018 UPDATE: If you haven’t used Airbnb before, sign up through KalynBrooke.com for $40 off your first stay.

Have you ever stayed at an Airbnb?

What did you think?

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. Read my full disclosure policy here.

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Comments

  1. Sarah says

    July 4 at 1:36 pm

    I haven’t stayed with Airbnb before, but I have been wanting to! I just haven’t traveled that much recently (unfortunately!).

    We’re planning a trip to Ottawa for my cousin’s wedding in the fall, and I am looking at booking Airbnb – the hotels are already super high priced in the downtown core, but there are a couple events that have made it super expensive right now. I have a room tentatively booked, but Airbnb is just above 50% the cost of the hotel!

    Sarah
    Sweet Spontaneity

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 4 at 1:39 pm

      Check the reviews thoroughly and you could have a trip to remember – in the best way possible! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Leslie says

    July 4 at 10:11 pm

    I had no idea this existed! That is pretty cool. I go on at least 3 trips a year and I think I’d love this. I’m pinning for October!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 7 at 4:46 pm

      Come back and let me know how your trip goes. And be sure to read the reviews for your specific air BnB!

      Reply
  3. Joseph Hogue says

    July 5 at 1:10 am

    It is nice to know about the new features of Airbnb. I liked it earlier because of its reasonable price but now have a few more reasons to go with it.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 7 at 4:48 pm

      Agreed! I really like how their review system works both ways. Not just guests reviewing hosts but also hosts reviewing the guests!

      Reply
  4. Lindsey says

    July 5 at 9:54 am

    We stayed in an airbnb during a trip to Richmond,VA the only downside was that during our stay there was no air conditioning. A heads up about that would have been nice. Otherwise it was an overall pleasant experience.

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 7 at 4:53 pm

      Oh yeah – that would have been nice of them to let you know. As former New Yorker who didn’t have AC in the summer, I’ve so gotten used to Florida where AC is in pretty much every building!

      Reply
  5. Alleluialu says

    July 5 at 11:47 am

    We love AirBnb! We were planning to attend my daughter’s graduation ceremony and had booked a hotel that was going to cost us $800/night. A week before the graduation, we discovered that the hotel wasn’t even open yet. We found an AirBnb entire house nearby that only cost us $100/night. It was lovely, private and the hosts were wonderful. My son has traveled all over the world and has stayed in AirBnb residences everywhere. The hosts were very helpful pointing out places to eat and things and areas to avoid. He is a confirmed AirBnb traveler! It’s the way to go!

    Reply
    • Kalyn Brooke says

      July 7 at 4:55 pm

      I just love reading stories like this. You saved so much money!! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Emily @ My Love for Words says

    July 8 at 9:46 pm

    I’m definitely going to have to try this! We’ve always stayed in hotels too, but this past Nov. we decided to rent a little lodge in the Pigeon Forge area (though a different site though), and it was great. It’s got me never wanting to stay in a hotel again!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Kalyn—a recovering perfectionist who nerds out about organizing systems, personal productivity, and helping you prioritize what matters over the pressure to do it all. I have a feeling we’re about to become the best of friends! Learn more >>

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👩‍💻 | I help value-driven women lead manageable + meaningful lives.
💬 | INFJ / Enneagram 1
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What’s one thing you budget for that other peopl
What’s one thing you budget for that other people might not? I always find those interesting. 😃⁣ ⁣ You might have a mortgage. I budget for campgrounds. You might want a separate clothing budget, while I’m fine combining it under “Beauty and Style.” Recently, we also added a new line item for our motorcycle—something I NEVER thought would appear in our budget. ⁣ ⁣ See, we’re all different! ⁣ ⁣ Recently, I rearranged my budget categories and created this “cheat sheet.” Sometimes I forget where things go, like picking up new wall art for the living room. Does this item belong in the categories of Household Items or Home Maintenance? 🤔⁣ ⁣ Now I know! And I save time processing receipts each Friday. 🧾⁣ ⁣ What budgeting categories do you use? Share one of your random budget line items with me in the comments below! 😃

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣
⁣
I

I call 2020 the Year of Abandoned Books. ⁣ ⁣ I’m never afraid to stop reading a book if it doesn’t live up to the hype. Why invest more time in a book I’m not all that excited about when I could be exploring new authors and storylines where I can’t wait to turn the page? 🤷⁣ ⁣ But in 2020, I let more books go than I normally do. I suppose my patience dwindled when I thought the world was ending. Not that I thought the world was actually ending…but you know what I mean. 😉⁣ ⁣ As an Enneagram 1, I hate giving up on a book. I’m prone to the all-or-nothing mentality, even in my reading habits. My eyes could glaze over boring prose and I’d still repeat to myself: “You MUST finish this book!” 😫⁣ ⁣ Why? ⁣ ⁣ No one is adding a plastic star to your Book-It pin, (Remember those?) This isn’t assigned reading from your high school English class. This is YOUR reading life. ⁣ ⁣ And YOU should choose what books deserve your attention. 📚⁣ ⁣ There are too many good ones out there anyway. Like one of my favorite reads from 2020. 😍⁣ ⁣ This week’s newest blog post rounds up everything I read last year (43 books total!) including 5-star psychological thrillers, a delightful royal series, a couple self-help books, and of course, historical fiction.⁣ ⁣ Click the link in my bio to read it! ☝⁣ ⁣ What were your favorite books in 2020? Our literary styles might be a match made in heaven! ✨

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣
⁣
T

My planner/journal lineup for 2021. 👆 ⁣ ⁣ These small but mighty sidekicks will be my saving grace this year. 📚⁣ ⁣ 1️⃣ Bullet Journal (Blue) - for everyday planning and goal setting⁣ 2️⃣ Regular Journal (Yellow) - to track gratitude (5 things a day!) and to process ALL the feelings⁣ 3️⃣ Growth Journal (Sand) - a space for me to brain dump everything I learn from books, podcasts, sermons, etc ⁣ ⁣ That last one is new to me as of this year and I can't wait to flip back through all my notes come December! 📆⁣ ⁣ What planners/journals are you using for 2021?

Self-care is just as important as making your famo
Self-care is just as important as making your famous sugar cookies this holiday season. 🍪⁣ ⁣ Because let’s be real. ⁣ ⁣ That Hallmark-esque Christmas magic disappears the moment disagreeable family members annoy you. Or when you feel irritable over too many late nights and little-to-no sleep. Or when expectations over meals and traditions and social activities fall short and leave you feeling disappointed. 😬⁣ ⁣ But instead of dwelling on these stressful moments and using them as an excuse to completely disconnect from reality (as I’m often tempted to do!), view them as an opportunity for you to respond with poise. 💞⁣ ⁣ ➕ Journal your feelings. ⁣ ➕ Go for a walk. ⁣ ➕ Prioritize what’s essential. ⁣ ➕ Remember to breathe.⁣ ➕ And try not to eat your feelings…okay?⁣ ⁣ Here’s your permission slip if you need one: You don’t need to do or participate in everything! Take a time out when you need it. 🙌⁣ ⁣ That’s the best way you can protect your emotional well-being over the next few days.⁣ ⁣ Merry Christmas, friends! 🎄


I know you’re ready for this year to be over. 🙋‍♀️ The last twelve months brought so many hard things into our lives—relationships were lost, our country became more broken and divided than ever, and oh yeah, we walked through a pandemic too. 🦠 🤯 No biggie, right? Ha! 😅 And while it’s easy to look back and wish we could skip 2020 altogether (or at least insist on a do-over), I don’t want this year to be the one where the hard overcame the good. 💕 Just as hard days don’t mean ruined days, hard years don’t mean ruined years. 2020 can still be good. 💪 For me, I want to remember the fun and exciting things we did. The adventures we had. The new shows we watched, and the books we read. The new life hacks and things I discovered that made my life easier or just brought me joy. 💞 You’ll find it all in my latest blog post (link in profile). If you still need to buy a gift for a loved one (or for yourself!), you’ll find plenty of fun and affordable ideas to fill up the rest of your gifting list. 📦 Otherwise, enjoy a stroll down the good side of 2020’s memory lane and leave your favorite things in the comments so I can try them. 👋


Pro minimalism tip: Use double-duty appliances. 🤯⁣ ⁣ With limited kitchen space, I have to be super careful about what appliances we invite into the RV. We already had an Instant Pot, Ninja Blender, and a Food Processor. But I really wanted an air-fryer! ⁣ ⁣ With no place to put it, I discovered that Instant Pot made a dual instant pot/air-fryer product. So I gave my instant pot away, and my mom bought me this one for an early Christmas present. I’ve only played with it a couple of times but I’m already in love! 💕⁣ ⁣ Kale chips...sweet potato fries...broccoli. I’m basically an air-frying queen now. And I can easily switch back to the instant pot whenever I want. Yay for two appliances in one! 🥳⁣ ⁣ Q: What is your favorite appliance to use? Is it double duty? 🤔


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