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    Anne Marie
    Black women of every age and income bracket can and should consider solo traveling and living abroad either permanently or semi-permanently.

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5 Steps to Choosing the Perfect Airbnb Every Time

April 30, 2021
Perfect Airbnb

As you know I traveled around Mexico over a four-month period and checked out 9 cities to determine where I would initially relocate. I chose San Miguel de Allende; Mexico and you can read about why in my blog post here.

During my research and reconnaissance trips, I stayed in several Airbnbs. I generally choose Airbnb for long-term stays when I travel solo.  Overall I consistently enjoyed my stay in every place I stayed. While not all were perfect, none were horrible or even bad.  I have heard major horror stories about Airbnb stays. To help you avoid staying in a bad Airbnb, here are my tried-and-true tips to consistently choose the perfect Airbnb for you EVERY time. It is my belief that if you apply these rules, you will likely have a good experience almost every time.

Let’s get started.

Step #1: Stick with Superhosts

I almost never stay in an Airbnb that is not hosted by a Superhost. Why, because Superhost is more likely to really care about your experience because they care about maintaining a high rating.   Superhosts usually have a rating of 4-8 or above and have worked really hard to achieve that status. If you have a concern, they are more likely to want to solve it and they are more likely to provide accurate listing descriptions and work hard to resolve issues should they arise.  Yes, their nightly rates may be higher, but I have found that paying just a bit more has resulted in no bad experiences. If you choose to go with a host who is not a Superhost, stick with places rated 4.8 or higher.

Step #2: READ the Reviews – ALL. OF. THEM.

I cannot reiterate this point enough. Do not just read the first couple of reviews. Even if the person has a perfect 5.0 rating READ ALL THE REVIEWS. You may find something that may give you pause. For example, I was reading the reviews for a beautiful apartment in Guanajuato City, Mexico that had the most gorgeous views in the picture. As I read the review, I noted mentions of the steps to the apartment. Then one of the last reviews noted the steepness of the steps and the fact that there were a total of 70 to get to the apartment and of course no elevator. Did I pass on the apartment despite the gorgeous views because of the way my knees are set up? It was a hard pass for me.

Step #3: Filter your search for EVERY Amenity Important to You

Use the Airbnb Search Filter feature to look at and confirm every amenity important to your stay.  When searching for a place, don’t just filter for Air conditioning and the number of bedrooms, filter for any amenity you want or need. Do you want a place with a washer and dryer? Put it in the search filter. Do you need a place with a gym or fitness center? Put it in the search filter. If what you need is not in the search filter see Step #4.

Step #4: Ask EVERY Burning Question BEFORE Booking

No matter how beautiful the pictures are, no matter how flowery the reviews, ask any burning question you have BEFORE you book. Especially if it is a nonrefundable booking. If you don’t see smoke detectors or sprinklers in the pictures, ask if they exist if this is important to you. Don’t see ceiling fans and need the whirring sound to go to sleep? Ask if they are any in the apartment and if not, whether there are portable fans available? Ask all questions before booking not after.

Step #5: Read ALL Housing Rules BEFORE Booking

All Airbnb Host have rules that govern the use of their place.  READ them. Many provide them at booking, others have them posted to the listing.  If you cannot find it in the description, ask the host to share it with you, but make sure you see the Housing Rules and read them prior to booking.  You don’t want to find out the air conditioning is only on between 10 and 2 pm after you book if it’s 90 degrees in the shade every day and 100% humidity, and the listing is non-refundable after booking. Read those housing rules!

Honorable Mention: Keep all conversations on the Platform at all times

Do not have any conversations with the Host via their cell phone or WhatsApp. Keep all conversations about the listing on the Airbnb mobile app or the website.  If the hosts message you on WhatsApp, respond but then respond again on the app. This is for your own protection. If something goes awry, you want all communications to be available to Airbnb via the mobile app.

Check out my YouTube Reviews of Airbnbs where I stayed in Mexico. I applied these steps and had a pleasant stay at all of them.

AirbnbChoosing an AirbnbLong-Term RentalsPerfect Airbnbsolo travel
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Airbnb  / Blog Posts  / Mexico  / Solo Travel  / Travel Planning  / Uncategorized

Anne Marie Archer
I am on a mission to make solo travel accessible and fun for everyone, especially Black Women over 40, and to dispel the myth that women over 50 can’t be fashionable, comfortable, and still travel #TeamCarryon.

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  • About Me

    Anne Marie

    Hi I'm Anne Marie. I Quit my high six-figure income job, jumped off the hamster wheel, exited the American Rat Race, packed up my house and moved to Mexico in May 2021. Now I am embracing my love of solo travel while working as an HR consultant and connecting Black Women Coaches to those who need them via The BlackWomen Coach™ Directory (www.blackwomencoach.com). I have traveled to over 40 countries and I want Black Women over 40 to embrace solo travel! Stop waiting for your girlfriends, husband, boyfriend to get on the road. Go see the world and live your best authentic unapologetic and free life right now.

    We each have this one precious life – you owe it to yourself to live your life to the fullest NOW!

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    The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical or legal advice. Readers should consult with a licensed professional to get advice for their individual situation. See the Disclaimer and Terms of Use for more information. Copyright BaldGirlWillTravel,LLC 2022. This website, Baldgirlwilltravel, LLC, And all trademarks and other intellectual property used herein are the property of MegEd Enterprises LLC.

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    Over 50 I Solo Travel for self care you should too! 30+🌍 & counting✈️

    baldgirlwilltravel
    SAVE AND SHARE Solo Travel Safety Tip Hotel editi SAVE AND SHARE

Solo Travel Safety Tip Hotel edition
Limit access to your hotel room by keeping the “do not disturb“ tag on your door at all times. Only take it off when YOU want the room cleaned or do what I do and just stop the maid in the hallway give her the dirty towels and get clean ones. I really don’t like people in and out of my hotel room so this is what I do to limit access.

you are not not safer in a hotel then you are in a short term rental like Airbnb or VRBO 

your risk are just different.

I spent 15+ years overseeing global security in the international development sector.

The most important thing to remember when traveling alone, especially as a woman, is to practice situational awareness and common sense. If it feels wrong even for a minute don’t do it. 

I share solo travel safety and security advice based on my 15+ years of experience in the downloadable 
Bald Girl Will Travel: Guide to Travel Safety & Security for Solo Female Travelers

At $10 it’s a bargain and it will tell you what you need to know about traveling alone as a woman and doing it safely. It’s been recently updated. 

Grab it at the link in bio. 

Don’t let Social media personalities scare you. You can be safe anywhere in the world. 

Life is short. 
Book the trip.
You’re welcome

#Travel #Traveltips #Safetytips #TravelSafety #TravelSafely #solotravel #SoloTravelSafety
#Reels #ReelsOfInstagram #instagramreels #travelcoterie #blacktravelfeed
    Out in the streets of Dakar Senegal. Rumor has it Out in the streets of Dakar Senegal. Rumor has it I was shaking my 🍑 a lil bit 👀🤣 

For those who asked 
Duster @dopewithoutlabels 
Bodysuit @amazon 
Shoes @sorelfootwear 

#yourewelcome
    “The Lion does not concern itself with the opini “The Lion does not concern itself with the opinion of the sheep.”Tywin Lannister. Be a Lion🦁 epic day.  Thanks to @senegal_tourist_guide #senegal #fathalawildlifereserve #seesomesenegal #seesenegal #visitsenegal #whatididtoday
    Goree Island is a beautiful place. Goree Island is Goree Island is a beautiful place. Goree Island is a haunted place. 

It is haunted by the souls of our ancestors who passed through the door of no return to unspeakable  horror. Their stay on the island was horrific, but what they went to was even worse and the legacy of that continues.

The horror of it continues.

A horror that has really never ended in many ways 

As horror that some don’t even want us to talk about or teach our children about in school. 

Well, they definitely don’t want us to tell their children what they continue to perpetuate and what their ancestors did.

I can’t say that I enjoyed my visit but I’m glad I went 

Have you been to Goree island Senegal? How did it make you feel?#goree #goreeisland #senegal #africa #visitsenegal #seesomesenegal
    Check out my latest #YouTube video where I explain Check out my latest #YouTube video where I explain my top 3 #teamcarryon Packing strategies

I explain how I think about packing and the three things I always do to ensure that I can travel without checking a bag while maintaining my personal style. Watch it at the link in the bio!

#travel #solotravel #packingtips #packinghacks #travelsolo #traveltips
    San Miguel de Allende Mexico is an ideal destinati San Miguel de Allende Mexico is an ideal destination for solo travel. There’s so many opportunities for special and unique experiences.

A bit off the beaten path, but definitely worth the effort. The Mayan Baths offers you a spa and Hot Springs experience all in one place. It is pricier than some of the other local Hot Springs but it’s a nice way to relax and get away while not being that far away from town. 

I got the VIP package that included a towel, robe, a 50 minute massage, seven hours access to the hot springs, and a three course lunch with three additional beverages (alcoholic or nonalcoholic) included. cost was 3490 pesos ($185 USD) 
somewhat pricey for Mexico, but it was worth it. The facilities are very clean. The locker rooms were very nicely organized, and the attendant was very helpful. The massage was great and the Hot Springs are very relaxing. The outdoor pools were not open because it was quite cold outside but I imagine during the summer months it’s a really great experience to access both the Hot Springs and the outside pools. 

You can contact them to book. If booking a VIP package of 1000 peso deposit is required. 

If planning a trip to San Miguel de Allende I definitely recommend putting this spot on your itinerary. #sanmigueldeallende #mexico #visitmexico #vivamexico #solotravel #safesolotravel #gosolo  #travel #traveltips #blackwomen #blackwomentravel #melanintravel #reels
    Watch me pack for my upcoming trip to Africa. I wi Watch me pack for my upcoming trip to Africa. I will be visiting: 
 
Dakar, Senegal
Nairobi Kenya
Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar, Tanzania

 I will be traveling through some very cool climates ahead of my trip to Africa and for that reason, I also have to plan my transit attire very carefully. 

Check out this video where I show you how I packed and what I’m taking! See how I still manage to travel with just a carry-on and a personal item bag #solotravel #packing #packingtips #packinghacks #travel #traveltips #traveltipsandtricks #africa #reels #reelsinstagram #sunkissedtravelers #sisterstravelingsolo #blackgirlstraveltoo #travelingwith melanin #blackwomentravel #blackexpats #blackandabroad #ladiesgoneglobal #blackforeigners #solotravel #passionpassport #wegotoo #blacktravel #blacktravelmatters #theblacktravelclub #melanintravel #blackgirltraveslay #blacktravelers #livingabroad
    Because I can😀 #yummy #foodie #mexico #mexicoea Because I can😀 #yummy #foodie #mexico #mexicoeats
    “Everybody can be great because everybody can se “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” Martin Luther King, Jr. 

#happymlkday #anyonecanserve #mlk #mlkday
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