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Our family loves to travel. Over the years, we’ve stayed in several different types of accommodation. If planning a trip and wondering which is best, you are in the right place. This article will detail what you should consider and discuss the pros and cons (from our perspective) of a hotel vs Airbnb.
Hotel vs Airbnb – what to consider
1) Length of time
We always lean towards a hotel stay when only staying one night. The hotel will almost always be cheaper.
The main reason for this is the extra cleaning fees. Additionally, many owners have a minimum number of nights they will accept.
2) Cleaning
A rental will be cleaned before you arrive, You won’t receive any room services or cleaning protocol during your stay.
If you find it important to have someone clean your towels and make your bed each day, a hotel stay might be better for you. However, keep in mind that many hotels now charge extra for daily cleaning.
3) Number of people
A hotel stay is best suited in our opinion for couples or small families.
Once our children reached their teenage years, Airbnb often became much more convenient. They have their own space separate from us. We also usually manage to get them each their own bed. Lastly, many rentals will have more than one bathroom which is super helpful when traveling with older children.
4) Meals
Most Airbnb rentals have the advantage of offering a full-size kitchen.
If you plan to eat all of your meals in restaurants, this will not impact your choice.
However, if you want to save money, eating in is an easy way to do so. We often choose to eat breakfast and dinner “at home” but will go out for lunch.
Pro tip: Make sure to create a meal plan before your vacation to reduce food losses and optimize what you will buy. Remember that many rentals will not have any food at all, not even the basics. Check-in before going to the grocery store to assess the situation.
5) Accommodations
When selecting the best option between a hotel vs Airbnb, you should consider what is important for your family.
Many hotels have a pool, spa, and a gym. There tend to be a little more difficult to find with an Airbnb although they aren’t impossible.
On the other side, you can find many Airbnb accommodations that can greatly improve your comfort and enjoyment such as a washer and dryer in the unit, dedicated parking, much more space than a hotel, and entertainment like games, pool tables, and more.
Pro tip: If traveling in large cities, the parking at the hotel can be over $40 per night. This can have a huge impact on your final bill.
6) Expected support
With an Airbnb, you are more or less left to yourself.
Most of them have a binder of activities and favorite places that you can use to help you out. However, you won’t have access to a concierge or hotel front desk like you might have been used to.
Most of the owners we have dealt with in the past have been highly responsive during our stay if we had questions. You check the reviews on the place you are considering. People will often comment on the responsiveness of the owners.
Hotel vs Airbnb – Pros and cons
| Airbnb PROS | Airbnb CONS |
|---|---|
| Often cheaper for an extended stay | More expensive for 1 night stay |
| More space | No access to a concierge |
| Often more beds – better for family | No daily cleaning |
| Several options with more than 1 bathroom | May have less accommodation |
| Full kitchen | Might be less safe – depending on the location |
| Several options with laundry in unit |
Where to look for Hotel and vacation rentals
There are many sites you can use to review options where you will be traveling to.
For hotels, I often search using a site like Expedia. It’s a good starting point to explore neighborhoods in the city you will be visiting and assess what hotel options exist. The site allows you to filter based o amenities, hotel brands, prices, and more.
For vacation rentals, our favorite options are VRBO or Airbnb. Both sites function similarly. Just like for hotels, you can filter based on amenities, type of property, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and more.
Spend some time doing your research. Define what type of vacation you are hoping for, list what is most important to you, and find the best match.
In conclusion
Ultimately, the decision between a hotel vs Airbnb comes down to your preferences and requirements. I hope this article was helpful to understand the important elements you should consider when making your decision.
Bon voyage!
Cat xx