Hotels can be slap-up and all , but Airbnb is hot these days for near reason . I mean , where else can you book castles andislandsby the night , or find your guests havingrandom splurge in your living elbow room ? But just like with hotels , there are deception to tally the best rooms and rates in the 34,000 cities with Airbnb itemization .

Look up other people’s wish lists to find desirable listings

Scouring a bull gross ton of listings to find something decent is always daunting , even when you get exceedingly specific with the hunting filter . You could pass hours make your own regard inclination –oryou could reap the benefit of other people ’s hard body of work and usetheirwish lists as a guidebook . alas there ’s no great path to search for them directly on the site . trustworthy ol’ Google is your friend here : just type in " Airbnb wishlist " along with whatever positioning you ’re concerned in , and you’re able to easily explore some interesting and unique lists curated by other user .

Filter by “Instant Book” if you need a place immediately

It ’s no big deal to just show up at a hotel with a void , but Airbnb requires some advance planning . Still , it ’s not impossible to line up a courteous place to crash at the last minute , and you do n’t have to go through the whole back - and - forth conversation with a potential legion . If a itemisation is labeled as an “ Instant Book , ” it means favorable reception from the legion is n’t required before you hold them – you simply work out the chip - in details with the host after you ’ve booked . If you ’re in a spot where you want a shoes to remain stat , just check theInstant Bookbox when you search to filter itemisation .

Airbnb has an full team curating advocate listings under a spacious miscellany of themes ; you could find them under the middling hidden subdivision " Airbnb Picks , " which can be staggeringly helpful when you ’re appear for some brainchild for your next vacay . For case , there are tilt of handpickedlighthouses , aerogenerator , watchtower , convert quondam - school houses , hugger-mugger pad , and evenhomes with their own Tesla chargers .

Get officially verified

This may seem like vulgar sentiency , but if you require to win over a unknown to rent you stay in their home unattended , you should do everything in your power to come across as an upstanding citizen whodefinitely wo n’t wrench their house into a brothel or meth den . That means optimizing your profile with a smiling picture and a elaborated bio . To better your odds of scoring first - option listings , you should also consider becoming formally verified by Airbnb . It ’s a simple process that involves submitting some more advanced forms of ID ( a recommendation , license , etc . ) , which bring to horde that you ’re not some impostor . In fact , most hosts wo n’t even deliberate you as a client if you ’re not swan .

Book company trips with Airbnb for Business

On your next employment trip , dump the sterile Courtyard Marriott and depressing dinner party at Bennigan ’s for a cool and homey Airbnb with a stocked with kitchen . Convince your company to sign up forAirbnb for Business , and instead of some halt three - star hotel room you could write down entire apartments with “ concern - ready ” comforts ( Wi - Fi , 24 - hour check - in , a stocked kitchen , etc . ) You even get a $ 50 credit toward any subsequent engagement the first time .

Reference specific details and dish out compliments

OK , yes , this sound obvious , but get a line me out : if you want to get on the good side of a stranger who ’s run low off very little entropy to decide whether they should hand the keys to their castle over to you for a weekend – you have to get personal . Make it clear you really , really handle about being able-bodied to stay at their place . Reference very specific details about their space and compliment particular elements in their picture .

It ’s also of the essence that you do n’t scan a listing and color over any crucial details that might ruin your opportunity altogether . If you take extra convincing , considerthis storyfrom NYC ’s most democratic Airbnb - er , who prevent a tiny detail in his listing to catch people who clearly are n’t paying care .

Don’t be afraid to haggle

Once you ’ve got a nice back - and - forth conversation travel with your likely legion , and you have a spirit they ’re going to approve your request to stick , try slip in a business like , Your lieu seems incredible and I would screw to stay here , but it ’s just slenderly out of my budget . Would you ever deliberate come down in Mary Leontyne Price to this price?Sure , it ’s shameless , but it ca n’t hurt to ask .

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Joe McGauleyis a senior author for Thrillist . He ’ll take a wind generator over a beach house or penthouse any sidereal day .

Airbnb in the desert

Airbnb

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screenshot of airbnb home page

Screenshot via Airbnb

screenshot of airbnb picks

Screenshot via Airbnb

library/living room in an airbnb listing

Flickr/Christine Rondeau