Solo Travel Expert's Guide: How to Find the Perfect Airbnb Stay
Having booked dozens of stays on the rental platform, solo travel expert Lydia Swinscoe offers nine invaluable tips for selecting the ideal bedrooms when journeying alone. With extensive experience since Airbnb's launch in 2008, she provides insights to ensure smooth and memorable stays.
Scan Listings for Details That Match Your Interests
As an art enthusiast, Lydia often chooses homes featuring artistic decor, quirky designs, and standout furniture. This alignment with the host's tastes typically leads to excellent local recommendations and proximity to desired attractions. Look for clues in listing images related to your hobbies, such as bookshelves, surf gear, or LGBT+-friendly art, to find stays that resonate with your passions.
Prioritise Stays on the First Floor and Above
For city accommodations, Lydia prefers flats and apartments above ground level rather than sprawling ground-floor homes. Ground-floor properties often have multiple entry points, including doors and windows, which can compromise safety. One stay in the Dominican Republic had unlockable windows, highlighting this risk. Exceptions include unique off-grid cabins where remoteness is intentional.
Travel Off Season
Solo travelers face higher accommodation costs without splitting expenses. To mitigate this and avoid tourist crowds, Lydia avoids high-season visits when host prices peak. Weekend rates are also higher. For example, visiting Madrid in August offers lower Airbnb rates and fewer tourists, potentially allowing stays in otherwise unaffordable properties.
Look Out for Strong Locks
With many check-ins now digital via keypads, Lydia emphasises the importance of inner bolts for added security. She recommends messaging hosts to confirm their presence if not visible in images. Implementing this as an Airbnb requirement could enhance safety for solo travelers, ensuring peace of mind during stays.
Pick Shared Homes Carefully
Shared Airbnbs offer mixed experiences; some provide welcoming, informative stays, while others pose safety concerns. Lydia advises thorough vetting: check the host's rental duration on the app, read reviews meticulously, and verify if they have been reviewed by other Airbnb hosts. If something feels amiss, relocate immediately to ensure safety.
Guidebooks Are a Green Flag
Hosts who include guidebooks in their listings demonstrate care for their home and locality. These guides often feature local favourites that take time to discover independently. Hosts with guidebooks are frequently experienced travelers themselves, leading to well-presented, fully stocked accommodations that enhance the guest experience.
Places with Kitchens or Kitchenettes Are the Holy Grail
In destinations where nighttime safety is a concern, such as Quito's deserted old town, having a kitchen allows solo travelers to cook meals and stay indoors. While food delivery services are more accessible, they may not be available everywhere. Securing an Airbnb with kitchen facilities provides flexibility and security for evening plans.
Look Out for 'Superhosts' with Plenty of Great Reviews
Thoroughly scanning reviews is crucial, especially for solo female travelers. Look for listings with numerous flawless reviews mentioning safety. New listings without reviews pose risks, as they undergo only automated vetting. Prioritise "superhosts"—top-rated, experienced hosts—with glowing feedback to ensure reliable and secure stays.
Take Advantage of Long-Stay Discounts
Lydia prefers slow travel, often booking Airbnbs for a month to immerse herself in a location. Many hosts appreciate long-stay guests for reduced turnover, making it worthwhile to request discounts via direct messages if not advertised. She has secured up to 30% off and waived cleaning fees in lesser-visited cities like Timisoara, Romania, or Lodz, Poland.
Five Favourite Airbnbs for Solo Travelers
- Old Tbilisian Solo, Tbilisi, Georgia: A compact apartment with fun design in Sololaki district, priced from £77 per night.
- Piotrkowska Apartment, Lodz, Poland: A flawless studio in underrated Lodz, priced from £51 per night.
- Mid-Century Thai Home, Bangkok Yai, Thailand: A homely stay with a friendly host, priced from £52 per night.
- The Hollow, Colombo, Sri Lanka: A serene, design-focused sanctuary in bustling Colombo, priced from £56 per night.
- Lordi 6, Naples, Italy: A tiny but impactful apartment in leafy Vomero with excellent food recommendations, priced from £123 per night.
