Lydia Swinscoe, a solo travel expert, has shared her tips for finding suitable Airbnb accommodation, drawing on her experience of 76 stays since the platform's launch in 2008. Her advice focuses on safety and cost-effectiveness for individuals travelling alone.
Swinscoe recommends prioritising flats and apartments on the first floor and above, particularly in cities, due to concerns about multiple entry points and windows in ground-floor homes. She also suggests checking for strong inner door locks, as digital keypads may not feel entirely secure. For shared homes, she advises vetting hosts by checking their rental history, reading reviews, and seeing if they have been reviewed by other Airbnb hosts.
To manage costs, Swinscoe suggests travelling off-season, as host prices are typically higher during peak times and weekends. This approach can lead to lower Airbnb rates and potentially allow stays in properties that might otherwise be unaffordable. She also looks for listings with guidebooks, which can indicate a host's care for their home and the local area, and prefers properties with kitchens for flexibility and safety in unfamiliar locations.