Tyler, Texas, United States
When it comes to renting an Airbnb in East Texas, there are lots of details to consider to make sure your getaway goes smoothly and you’re happy with your accommodations.
As a trusted, experienced bed and breakfast, The Rose Cottage in Tyler, Texas, understands the ins and outs of what makes both a great lodging experience and a fun trip in general.
A visit to East Texas is full of fun, free, and cheap things to do, including a visit to the historic district, the historic Rose Garden and Azalea Trail, hiking the piney woods, and much more.
However, a successful trip is about more than just the destination.
A successful, enjoyable trip begins with good planning.
Here’s a list of Airbnb travel tips to help make your visit the best it can be:
Airbnb Ratings and Reviews
The ratings and reviews process exists for an important reason: transparency.
Being thorough with your research can make a big difference and make or break whether you’re happy with your accommodations or not.
Anyone who’s ever stayed in a hotel or Airbnb that was not satisfactory knows the frustration. Hopefully, the situation was resolved, but we understand that doesn’t always happen.
Making sure you do a detailed search of all the ratings and reviews means you’ll get a much better idea of any issues past guests have had, how the host resolved them, and what things former guests enjoyed about their stay.
Pictures can be altered and don’t always paint an accurate portrayal. Reviews can help fill in the gaps.
What safety features are available at your Airbnb?
When it comes to an enjoyable getaway, safety is an important component. This can be especially true if you have children or older people traveling with you.
Nothing ruins a trip faster than having an emergency and not being prepared. Make sure you carefully review the “Safety Features” section on the home’s Airbnb page.
Communication is Key
You can communicate with a prospective Airbnb host even before you make your reservation.
If you have questions or concerns, need specific accommodations, or just want to know more about where you’ll be staying, talking with your host can be incredibly helpful. This is especially true if you’re interested in specific details about the area where you’ll be staying.
You can let your host know your travel plans and ask them if they have any local recommendations. Sometimes, this is the best way to find local food and places to check out that are off the regular tourist sites.
Research Local Weather
If you’re an experienced traveler, you know that weather can often make or break a trip, especially if you’re not prepared.
East Texas can experience a range of weather depending on what time of year you visit. Sometimes, the weather can be hot and humid.
On other days, there might be big storms. It’s always a good idea to plan ahead in terms of clothing, gear, etc. (depending on what you’ll be doing for your trip) and to research what the weather will be like while you’re visiting.
Airbnb Location
It’s important when you book an Airbnb to have a thorough understanding of where the place is located. This is for many reasons.
First, it’s a good idea for safety. The reviews usually say a lot about whether a home is in a questionable neighborhood or not, but it makes sense to check for yourself on Google Maps.
Do you require parking? This is also a good detail to know ahead of time—whether there is on-site parking, whether you’ll need to park on the street…or whether there is parking provided at all!
Do you want to walk to the downtown area or another location? Do you want to have restaurants and/or grocery stores close? It’s good to check ahead of time and make sure your needs will be met when it comes to location.
Airbnb Amenities
As anyone who’s ever stayed in an accommodation that doesn’t have the needed or expected amenities knows, insufficient features can make or break a trip—especially when you’re traveling with kids.
This is another way reviews can be helpful, as people often comment on whether the home has the needed amenities or not.
Are you planning to eat out most of your trip, or intending to cook? If you’re planning on cooking, it’s good to make sure the place has the kitchen utensils and cooking paraphernalia you need.
Do you need a washer and dryer? This is another detail that can make a big difference if you’re traveling with family. Make sure you check the amenities list thoroughly ahead of time, as well as the reviews, to make sure you’ll have what you need upon arrival.
If you’re not sure, this can also be something helpful to talk to the host about before you book.
Travel can be an incredible memory-making experience…and proper planning ahead can make a big difference when it comes to whether the memories are positive or not!
Follow these travel tips to help make your trip as fun and smooth as possible.
