Whether it’s for business or pleasure, a trip to the beautiful southwest county of Devon will always be a memorable and enjoyable experience. With rolling hills, rugged moors, beautiful coastlines and a wealth of history, Devon is a county that offers something for everyone. But be careful – making the wrong choice with your Airbnb accommodation may mean your Devon break is memorable for all the wrong reasons!
Airbnb is a brilliant resource, and if you’re looking for something a little quirky or off the beaten track, you’ll be amazed at the wealth of different options available to you. There are some incredible and unique options available, so rather than going for the same tired old hotel room, why not try something a little different? Whether it’s a flat, a treehouse, a shepherd’s hut or a serviced apartment, Devon offers it all and you won’t be disappointed.
When browsing the options, the sheer volume of accommodation on offer can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to make the wrong choice. In this handy guide, we’ll tell you all the secrets to quickly find your perfect Devon accommodation in a fraction of the time it’d normally take. So read on, get organised and start counting down the days until you’re enjoying all the magic that Devon has to offer!
Tip 1: Make a list
Every great decision starts with a list, in our opinion! Being absolutely clear on what you can and cannot compromise on will greatly speed up your search and your decision-making process. Write a list of ‘essentials’ and ‘desirables’ to get clarity on what you’re looking for, and what you could live without if necessary. For example, perhaps for you, you need to be staying within walking distance to Exeter, but you could compromise on the number of bedrooms you’d need. Or maybe your heart is set on a hot tub, but you are not so bothered about having Wi-Fi, or about the exact location that you’re staying in.
With your list neatly compiled you’ll have a resource to keep in front of you to stop you from heading off course with your search.
Tip 2: Use the filters
Airbnb offers a very sophisticated search filter system which means that you can narrow down your search very easily. And that’s very lucky, because if you simply typed in ‘Airbnb Devon’ you’d end up with 1000s of options to scroll through! With your list close to hand, start playing around with the filters to close in on the perfect property for you.
From this point, it’s as easy as sifting through the options to find the right accommodation at the right price. Make sure that you put your exact dates in (unless you can be flexible on them), and if budget is a key consideration then cap the search at your uppermost limit to filter out the accommodation choices you can’t stretch to.
Tip 3: Do your homework
As brilliant as Airbnb is for finding the perfect Devonian accommodation for you, there is still nothing that can rival word of mouth recommendations. You could ask your networks on social media for their recommendations – someone may know of a hidden gem that you haven’t managed to uncover in your searches to date.
When you are closing in on your preferred choice, it’s great to read through reviews from guests that have previously stayed there. You may well find that, along with a glowing reference, the reviews also include handy tips such as what little extras to bring with you, or some tips on local events or landmarks to explore.
Top 4: Scour the details
Airbnb offers a wealth of information on each property that’s available, so take the time to carefully go through everything. You’ll find everything from bed configurations right through to health and safety considerations and plenty of local knowledge, too.
Another top tip is to always try and book through an Airbnb ‘Superhost’. These are property owners/managers who have fulfilled the highest requirements, so you can be sure of really excellent customer service and attention to detail.
Tip 5: Drop the owner a line
Once you’ve booked your Airbnb in Devon, be sure to drop the owner a quick message via Airbnb’s messaging function to say hello. You’ll be able to ask any questions you may have, as well as exchange important details. You’ll generally find that people are very friendly and helpful, so make the most of it – it’s a great way to build rapport with your accommodation owner before you turn up. You can contact them again before the booking and keep them posted on what time you’ll arrive, and you can also get clarity on the finer details, for example where you’ll collect and drop off the keys.
All of this communication can then act as a paper trail if for any reason things are not as they have been agreed.
Tip 6: Say thanks!
Finally, if you’ve enjoyed your trip then be sure to leave a review for the next people who are looking for something similar. Positive online reviews are gold dust for accommodation owners, and they’ll be very grateful that you’ve taken the time to let others know about your positive experience. You could drop the owner a note of thanks via the message function, too.
If your experience hasn’t quite met the mark for whatever reason, then before you post a review. More often than not, the owner will be grateful for the opportunity to put things right for you so that you are happier with the final outcome and don’t feel quite so much like it was a complete disappointment.
Enjoy your trip to Devon – we’re sure you’ll be returning again soon!
