My track record with Airbnb is pretty solid. I’ve done it all: rooms, flats, houses, experiences. You could say I’m a connoisseur of sorts. But I must admit I’m definitely guilty of avoiding private rooms in recent years.
Instead, I have opted for more independent options, keen for a space of my own where I can come and go as I please. When I rock up at 1am in after some alcohol fuelled downtime with nothing but a broken heel and half eaten kebab to my name, an isolated and judgement-free zone has always had more appeal.
I’m not the only one feeling this way. People have gravitated away from private rooms, and Airbnb is trying to rectify that. As of May this year, Airbnb is taking things back to its roots with the launch of Airbnb Rooms, bringing emphasis back to staying in private rooms, and the unique benefits of affordability and convenience that come with that. And when the cost of living squeeze breathing down all of our necks, it’s not a bad option when the average rate for a room is £53/night.
So I took the leap and set off for a private room in the (sometimes) sunny seaside town of Hove; a beautiful self-contained loft space with a private bathroom. I can’t deny feeling nervous that, being used to private spaces as I travel, I’d feel less free than I usually do on my trip. But concern in the days leading up to my trip, that I would be a nuisance in somebody else’s home, vanished the moment I arrived.
I quickly realised that I’d forgotten all the less obvious, personal things staying with your host brings. I was met by Jules when I arrived, who was eager to welcome me into her home and help me feel settled. She even prepared a welcome drink and a tray of snacks to wind down with (the luxury of a gin and tonic after having hauled an overpacked suitcase for half-an-hour from the train station is one that can’t be denied).
A kitchenette tucked in the corner of the room was stacked high with fruits, pastries, bread, coffee — you name it. And just next door there was a private bathroom packed with products galore and a skylight to gaze out of while in the bath. While obviously not reaching the same levels of privacy I found in Airbnb’s independent options, it was still a place of my own with all the home comforts I’d need.
It felt like any help needed — no matter how trivial — was easily accommodated. Any extra things I needed for the trip, or advice, or even if I wanted dishes washed, Jules was close by to help. From insider knowledge of the best taxi services to extra breakfast food, it was no problem for her.
Having visited Brighton and Hove before, I was worried that I’d be repeating all the tourist spots I’d circled the first time around. But this time I was able to approach the trip in a different light, based on the recommendations of someone who lived there and knew the best spots.
With a little help from Jules’s own guide to the area, I found some incredible spots that were far off my radar when I arrived. While everyone loves a chippy on the beach, it can be more refreshing to take the advice of someone who knows the area inside out.
Among the recommendations was Plateau (plateaubrighton.co.uk), a gorgeous wine bar that specialises in naturally produced wine and small plates. I was keen to explore new horizons and the servers were there to give their thoughts on each bottle on the menu — including their selection of orange wines (a first for me but certainly won’t be the last).
There were countless food spots I tried that now have me itching to return to Brighton — I’d be lying if I said the immense seafood platter from Riddle and Finns (riddleandfinns.co.uk) didn’t still visit me in my dreams, and I didn’t still yearn for the smoked garlic mayo from Fatto a Mano (fattoamanopizza.com). It was quite a shift from my first visit to the area, where choice can feel overwhelming and so I ended up going with the most obvious places. That didn’t stop me getting on the Brighton Pier Crazy Mouse ride, though (I’m only human, after all).
As a weekend getaway, it was great. Great food, great scenery, and the accommodation didn’t fall short on that either. It was a comfort having a host close by to us, and we couldn’t have been made to feel any more at ease.
The launch of Airbnb Rooms brings with it new features, most notably ‘Host Passports’, which give travellers the chance to know more about their hosts before booking. There’s also a Rooms category with plenty of listings, redesigned filters, and new privacy features.
My getaway was a welcome reminder that I may have judged private rooms a bit too harshly — a remedy for my travel snobbery, if you will. Still, I don’t think I’ve quite cracked into the confidence to bring along my trusty kebab in the wee hours of the morning just yet. Baby steps.
