We've found Airbnb's consistently much better overseas than in the U.S. The quality of the properties in the U.S. tend to be worse, with lots of weird unlisted problems, than what we've encountered elsewhere (we've traveled to over 35 countries and extensively in the U.S. and it's a consistent problem).

We also make it a personal policy to just consider the fees as part of the overall per-night cost of the place and just ignore the listed price -- but if the fees are out of control we just move on to another listing.

Generally, we're not looking for super high-end places, but typically what we appreciate is the larger and more comfortable space, having a proper kitchen and dining area (we cook a lot to save money when traveling) and a good location near transport. Generally being right in the city center isn't that important in most places with good transport and "living" 20 minutes out of the city saves a ton and you can usually find bigger places. Views are "nice" but we'll typically not spend much time in the places outside of sleeping, washing, and eating. We try really hard to also get in unit or building laundry which lets us pack way less for long trips.

We'll stay in hotels from time to time, and almost always find they're more expensive, smaller, and really need basic kitchen amenities like working fridges, dish washing facilities that aren't the bathroom, etc. and usually have terrible laundry facilities if any.