4 answers
★ Best answer
From my last bookings, I've learned to really read the reviews carefully - not just look at the stars, but also check the recent comments, because the condition of a place can change quickly. Also pay attention to the cancellation policy before you book, some are pretty strict and then you're stuck with your money. What often gets overlooked: check the exact location on the map, not just the address, and look for hidden fees like utilities or cleaning - those can end up costing almost as much as the nights themselves.
I'd say check the photos critically - some hosts take their shots in perfect lighting or deliberately only show the best spots 😅 Compare the images with the reviews other people wrote, and pay attention to whether people mention anything about cleanliness or hidden issues in the comments. Also verify the exact location - sometimes it says "central" but you need 20 minutes to get to the nearest subway entrance, and that gets annoying. And if something's off, take photos when you check in - helps later if you need to file a complaint!
I agree that you should take the comments seriously, but I'd pay even more attention to communicating with the host - send them a question before booking and see how quickly and helpfully they respond, that often says more than the photos 💬 And really important: check the cancellation policy before you book, otherwise you're stuck with your costs if something changes.
One detail that often gets overlooked: check the cancellation policy really carefully, because they vary wildly on Airbnb. Some hosts are pretty lenient, others demand full payment even if you have to cancel last minute - and that can get really expensive. Also worth looking into are hidden fees like cleaning costs or service fees that only show up when you're actually booking and can bump the price up quite a bit.
Your answer
Log into answer.