When planning our four week holiday, we opted to be flexible and vary our accomodation between a few hotels and Airbnb.

Though there is nothing to complain about the service and amenities that we pay for in the hotel, staying at an Airbnb gives us a more personalised and local experience — and is more budget friendly especially when travelling in a big group.

We found the perfect Airbnb apartment about five minutes walk to the Old Town and only a minute walk across the famous Promenade de Anglais!

We were met by Rose who handed us the keys and gave us tour around the apartment.

I love a house with lots of natural light and white curtains

White walls with black or neutral interiors

and block out drapes.

It really felt like HOME.

Our host prepared a chilled bottle of wine for us to enjoy on our arrival.

 

POINTS to consider before booking your Airbnb

Location – Find out how far the property is from the airport or the closest access to public transport. Where is the nearest supermarket? As cooking meals is a big factor when booking with Airbnb, or the nearest shops or restaurants?

Read reviews – Usually I read reviews about how the previous occupants felt about the place and the area etc. did they feel SAFE? SECURE?

Elevator/Lift – find out if the property is in a single storey building, or in a multi storey building and always check the availability of an elevator or a lift. Not all multi storey buildings have elevators. It is NOT fun to carry your luggage up a flight or flights of stairs. So make sure you ask. This happened to us in Japan with our three big luggages.  That experience has been so valuable, though I never learned from my mistake about how to travel light next time.

Check in/Check out time – Ask the host if they allow early check-in (if the property is already prepared)  incase you arrive early. Be mindful as well that some host charge a fee if you arrive later than check in time frame.

Communicate – let your host know your approximate time of arrival or if you are running late. Most often time, the host meets you to hand your keys and house instructions, or if you know you will arrive later than the agreed checkin time, let the host know. Some will waive the late arrival fee if you let them know ahead of time (e.g. late train, delayed flights).

Luggage Storage – Also enquire if the host allows luggage storage after checkout, incase you still have other plans for the day prior your outbound trip. Otherwise, there usually are luggage storages in train stations.

Washing Machine/Dryer – If you are planning to do laundry while on the trip, check  the property’s amenities for washing machine/clothes dryer availability. Do not assume that all Airbnbs have both as what we have experienced in our recent Airbnb in Venice. So check the listing of the amenities prior to booking.

Tourist Tax – applicable when travelling in Europe. Majority of Airbnb host prefers to receive tourist tax in cash at check in. So be prepared to have the amount ready. There are a few hosts that includes the tax in the online booking, but it is not very common.

These are only a few points to consider when booking with Airbnb. There might be some more that you know and want to share, so please feel free to comment on this post =)

The supermarket was only a five minute walk from our Airbnb.

Oh, and did I mention that our bedroom had a tiny patio with views of the promenade?

A perfect spot for breakfast!

Now we have settled in our Home, we are ready to explore the French Riviera!

C’est la vie!

 

~inmysomewhere