Why doesn't AirBnB have a search function for this?

[ShakyShakyShaky]

I am looking to book a UK weekend away at the end of January for a bit of a change of scene. Myself, husband, 3 yo and 1 yo

Requirements are whole property, within about 2 hours drive of London and 3 bedroom. Beyond that really flexible.

The weather is likely to be rubbish so in the past what has really made an AirBNB stay for us is the magically moment where you open a cupboard and it is full of children's toys and book. They don't need to be great but novelty value can easily get us through a rainy weekend.

Seeing as I cannot search for this in AirBNB (instead I have to trawl all the reviews for references to children's toys and books) does anyone have a place to recommend?

Many thanks!

And before anyone recommends Centre Parcs, it is already completely booked UK wide. Thanks!

www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/50393773

We stayed in this place right in the centre of Whistable, 2 mins walk from the sea. They had a few books but the main attraction was a toy kitchen, little table and chairs and lots of play food. My 4 year old is still asking to go back. They also had crab fishing lines and nets.

It is already booked for my dates (last weekend in Jan) but it looks lovely. Thanks for replying!

I wish airBnB had a function to search for a king sized bed. It's frustrating to travel through listings for the information. Many people have more than a standard double at home and want the same on holiday.

We need a search function for blackoud blinds/curtains! DH has become obsessed in the last few years that he cannot possibly sleep in summer without blackout in the windows and it's really annoying having to ask everywhere about it if it's not obvious in the pictures.

agreed re bed size and black out blinds.

Last summer I spent ages (hours and hours) searching for a place and looking carefully though all the photos. When we got there 2 of the bedrooms had skylights in completely unreachable places in the ceiling which flooded the room with light at 4am. Obviously not visible in the photos.

@Echobelly

We need a search function for blackoud blinds/curtains! DH has become obsessed in the last few years that he cannot possibly sleep in summer without blackout in the windows and it's really annoying having to ask everywhere about it if it's not obvious in the pictures.

I have an M and S eye mask which is moulded so it doesn't actually touch your eyes. I can't bear other eye masks but I don't mind that sort. Would that help your husband do you think?

There's lots of additional search functions that I wish all companies had. For example indoor versus outdoor pool, rather than pool only. Proximity to nearest pub ( some companies have that but not airbnb) and if pet friendly is the garden fully enclosed.

I think there are some companies that specialise in cottages with young DC but this may be for places abroad or more expensive than Airbnb.

Agree Airbnb needs a huge makeover.

My bugbear is that when you want to go away with a friend or child, you put in two people and all it gives you is one double bed. Usually.

So you put in 3 people and that apparently cocks up the pricing .

I wonder why they don't have these search functions, it can't be hard. Airbnb doesn't even have a "dishwasher" filter. I don't want to go on holiday anywhere less comfortable than home, so we need a king size bed, dishwasher and more than one loo. All simple items to add to a database. I wonder if they've tried having more filters and found it decreases bookings. I can't think why though.

@Chamomileteaplease

Agree Airbnb needs a huge makeover.

My bugbear is that when you want to go away with a friend or child, you put in two people and all it gives you is one double bed. Usually.

So you put in 3 people and that apparently cocks up the pricing .

Ooh you can actually change this - you can put in the number of people and the number of beds and also bedrooms.

You click the little bit on the top right and then change beds etc.

You then separately filter by amenities goodness knows why they're separate...

I am a successful 5star Airbnb host. Only 1 bedroom property but with a sofabed downstairs too. We get a few families staying with kids as it is dead cheap for them once you look at cost for a family of 4. I always offer highchairs, travel cot etc on request. If guests would approach me on booking and ask for some games/ toys I would be more than happy to accommodate and put some in our cottage. But then I have kids and have plenty of toys/ games. I generally try and accommodate any extra requirements.

@Gladioli23 - thanks for tip, I will suggest that. We spent last summer with, I kid you not, a jury-rigged bamboo frame around the bed with blackout fabric hung around my husband's side (I refused to have it on my side as I'd get too hot) because he was convinced the room is too bright in the morning. We have blackout curtains but it's a square bay and it's impossible to make it so that they totally keep out light. He tried a mask for one night and declared it didn't work because he took it off, but he has agreed to my suggestion that it might take a few nights to get used to it and could he pleased try that rather than messing up our bedroom!

www.marksandspencer.com/eye-mask/p/hbp22470517

This was the sort I has, looks like they're out of stock but might be worth seeing about other types of moulded mask.

@Birchtree1 I must be really square because despite using Airbnb every few months for years I don't think I have ever requested something that the owner doesn't reference on the page. Interesting. Thanks!

Maybe this thread will encourage any other MN people who own/run Airbnb to list (or photo) a box of toys or children's books to flag it as a possibility.

Still open for recommendations!

Only 2 bedrooms but this place was amazing! www.cottages.com/cottages/half-turn-cottage-m490705

In the centre of Whitstable, quick walk to the beach/park, parking space.

They have literally thought of everything, I've never stayed somewhere so well equiped! The kitchen had everything you could ever think of, and all cleaning stuff etc provided, there were books, DVDs, Xbox, games, DUPLO, blocks, vehicles, toy animals, bucket & spade.....so much!

@Gladioli23 thank you!!

I wish I could search for places with either bunk beds or a bed guard available.
My 2yo rolls out of bed and I had to search through loads of listings to find a place with a bunk bed ( nearly all have a rail on the top bunk) so we wouldn't have to buy and then transport a bed guard.

Incidentally I found a lovely place in North Devon that has a play house in the garden so I think the kids are going to love it.

@Shelby1981 thanks for the recommendation - glad there are really well stocked family-friendly places out there! looks great but for everyone's sanity/sleep I am still looking for 3 bedrooms. Thanks!

It’s tricky as a host to be able to list those things as well.

We list on our own website easily . And on Booking.com/ air B and B the only way around it to show it’s child friendly really is to take pictures of the toys and baby/child extras and just upload as photo.

I would also ask places directly if they can provide. For example we don’t offer a bed rail, but offer cot. We also have a fold out foam type bed that is for our personal use but if someone asked for small child who they were afraid would fall out of bed but too old for cot, we would happily offer them to use as an alternative.

Is it just me? The date I looked at for this is 285 pounds per night. There is then added one hundred and seventy five pounds for service charge and cleaning? For 3 nights what service am I getting and why is this priced separately?

@Jjjayfee - well the property will need full cleaning and bed linen clean and washed regardless of whether you stay 1 night or 10 nights.
If you find the property direct you will probably save as they will usually charge cleaning only or include it. No extra service fee.
The service fee is what air B and B basically charge owners to list on that platform.

Mr and Mrs Smith allows a search '2 hours from London' so I don't see why other companies can't do it.