Finding accommodation when traveling is always a priority when we plan to stay for several days. Comfortable accommodation will help us stay motivated to continue our itinerary to the next destination.
Besides comfort, there may be other considerations when choosing accommodation. For example: the price should not exceed the budget, adequate facilities, and the location should not be far from tourist destinations.
Fortunately, nowadays finding accommodation online is very easy. There are hundreds or even thousands of accommodations available on platforms like traveloka.com, booking.com, or airbnb.com.
We only need to compare and choose which platform is most suitable for our preferences. It is certainly more efficient and cost-effective.
When traveling alone or with my wife, I usually choose to use Traveloka or booking.com because I can book per room.
If traveling with friends and family, I prefer to use Airbnb because many of them rent apartments or homestays that are 'entire house'.
This means we can rent one fully furnished house. The facilities include bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and terraces. Some even include wifi, water heaters, breakfast, and even swimming pools! Of course, at a relatively cheaper price than renting a hotel room.
Unfortunately, Airbnb still uses credit cards for online payment features. The rate price also uses US Dollars. This can certainly be a burden compared to paying with Rupiah. But I wanted to share about tips for booking directly with Locals.
Booking Directly with Locals
- Access airbnb.com and enter the location of the area you want to go to along with the number of guests who will be staying. You will see something like this:
2. Next, you only need to look at the photos of the homestays and choose which one suits you. To see more detailed information, click on it to go to the homestay detail page.
3. Make sure the rating is at least 4 stars and dominated by positive reviews. Also read the information about the homestay's facilities to ensure the facilities you are looking for are available, such as wifi, water-heater, etc.
4. If it's already suitable, just copy the name of the homestay and search for it on the internet.
5. You will find the owner/host's contact number on Google Maps. If the homestay has a website or social media account, there is usually a phone number (WhatsApp) listed. Contact the owner's number and continue the transaction directly.
This method also applies to other OTA websites such as booking.com and traveloka. However, for Traveloka, I prefer to book directly through their application, because the rate uses the local currency.
What are the pros and cons?
The cons are that it will be more risky if the owner asks for a 50% down payment or even 100%. To avoid losses, it is recommended to use a trusted escrow service. Therefore, choose a property with good reviews and ratings.
The pros are that we are not charged a booking fee and can use the local rate. I personally prefer to book directly because I can negotiate! :p
Helps local
If you book offline or direct, and you're satisfied with your stay. Also, please review local business pages on Google maps to help them out. New guests will be attracted to them as a result of this so they can continue to stay in business.
If you have any other questions, please write them in the comments section. Enjoy the adventure!