Chapters
Airbnb can be great — their user interface makes it easy to find and book quality apartments on short notice. But that convenience can come at a cost, sometimes quite literally, with trade-offs that aren’t always obvious at first glance.
Here are some things to keep in mind - and watch out for- before you book.
1. Airbnb is often more expensive than other platforms
While traveling in Costa Rica earlier this year (2025), we came across a listing on Airbnb that was twice the price of the same property on Booking.com. It’s always worth checking whether the place you’re eyeing is also listed elsewhere — sometimes for significantly less.
To see if an Airbnb listing appears elsewhere online, try copying the listing title into a Google search. Another effective trick is to take one of the photos from the Airbnb page and use Google Lens to reverse image search — this often leads you straight to the same property on other booking sites.
Here’s an example of a lovely apartment listed on Airbnb in Kotor, Montenegro. I used Google Lens on one of the listing photos and found the exact same apartment — with a slightly different photo set — listed on Booking.com.
For a one-week stay from October 11th to 18th, the Airbnb price was €53.12 higher than the Booking.com listing for the same dates.
Beyond price, Booking.com also offered more flexible cancellation: you could cancel for a full refund until October 8th. In contrast, Airbnb’s policy only allowed a full refund up until September 11th — after that, they kept their service fee and 50% of the booking value.
So in this case, Booking.com offered a noticeably better deal with more customer-friendly terms.
2. Always take photos of any damage on check-in
We learned this the hard way. At first, we gave hosts the benefit of the doubt — whether it was dirty floors, broken items, rude communication, or uncomfortable pillows. But after some hosts in France tried to charge us €400 for extra cleaning fees, we’re definitely taking a different approach now!
On arrival, take a good look around for any damage or dirt. If the floors aren’t clean, snap some photos. If you spot a chip in a mug, take pictures right away. Hosts can be ruthless when trying to claw back money — often treating you like just a number, not a person.
If a host opens a case against you through AirCover, you’ll want plenty of photo evidence to back up your side.
AirCover disputes aren’t easy. It often feels like a courtroom battle where it’s your word against the host’s — and the host usually seems to have the upper hand.
We’ve had Airbnb step in to mediate before, but the outcome usually favors the host. Once, we checked into a dangerous apartment with a banned breed of dog — a pitbull terrier — chained and barking nonstop right outside our door. We left immediately without spending a night, but Airbnb let the host decide whether to refund us, and we only got half our money back.
It would be great if AirCover worked both ways, but based on our experience, their decisions often feel random and one-sided.
3. Don’t be fooled by photos
This is especially true for studio apartments. Hosts often try to make it seem like the bed and kitchen are in separate rooms, when it’s really just one open space. Sometimes the photos are carefully cropped or taken from angles that hide just how small or cramped the place actually is.
Always double-check the listing description and read guest reviews carefully — they often reveal what the photos don’t show. If the layout matters to you, don’t hesitate to ask the host directly for clarification or additional pictures before booking.
4. Reviews are rarely honest: Aim for 4.85+
After 48 stays on Airbnb over eight years, one thing has become clear: people aren’t always honest when leaving reviews. Whether it’s out of politeness, fear of retaliation, or simply wanting to believe everything is perfect, many guests focus on the positives and gloss over the negatives. This often results in properties having glowing reviews that don’t quite reflect reality.
I’m a kind person by nature and have usually left glowing reviews myself, even when there were issues. But after receiving a few negative reviews in return, I’ve realized it’s more helpful to be honest — to warn future guests about what might not be so great.
A fair review should list both pros and cons, highlighting what worked well and what didn’t. Stars should only be deducted when there are real problems or when hosts fall short.
Even a 4.8/5 sounds excellent, but it’s worth digging into the reviews to see what’s behind that score. Sometimes one honest reviewer will point out flaws that others miss — helping you make a more informed decision.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, while Airbnb offers convenience and a wide range of options, it’s important to approach bookings with a critical eye. Prices can be higher than on other platforms, reviews might not always tell the full story, and policies like cancellations or fees can vary significantly. By doing your homework—comparing listings across sites, carefully checking photos and descriptions, documenting any issues on arrival, and reading reviews with a discerning mindset—you can avoid common pitfalls and find accommodations that truly meet your needs. Travel smarter, and your stay will be much more enjoyable.