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When it comes to travel accommodations, the choice between an Airbnb and a hotel can be a tough one. Each option offers a unique experience, and your decision can significantly impact your trip’s overall quality. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key factors to consider before making that all-important decision: Airbnb or Hotel.
Airbnb vs. Hotel: Why Should You Listen To Me?
Before we get started, I want to share my unique perspective here. I am a family travel blogger who absolutely loves hotels. I have spent almost 100 days in hotels this year, and there is no better feeling than checking into a nice hotel and knowing that you get to relax and recharge. In fact, I used to work in the hotel industry!
On the other hand, I am also an Airbnb owner and superhost. We own four short-term rentals on 30A in Florida that I self-manage. I host hundreds of guests each year who leave rave reviews and appreciate all that Airbnb has to offer.
We use both hotels and Airbnb style vacation rentals when we travel, with over 75% of our room nights being hotel stays. Each trip and destination has unique factors that play into our decision-making. So, let’s break down how I decide and what you should think about when deciding between a hotel or vacation rental.
Deciding Between an Airbnb or Hotel
Let’s take a deeper look at the Airbnb vs hotel pros and cons, as well as the factors that should go into your decision.
First, I want to specify that when I say Airbnb, I am referring to short-term rentals as a whole. Airbnb is my preferred platform and what I am most knowledgeable about, but the advice here carries over to VRBO and short-term rental services like Vacasa, Booking, and others.
So, how do you decide between different Airbnb and hotel accommodations while traveling?
#1 Location, Location
I wrote the word location two times because I want you to consider two different elements here!
You need to determine which better serves the place you are traveling to and which offers you a better opportunity to immerse yourself in that location if desired.
What Better Serves Your Destination? An Airbnb or Hotel?
Every travel destination is different, so you first need to determine which option is more viable in that specific market.
For example, where we own our Airbnbs on 30A, the area is predominately a tourist destination with many vacation rentals to choose from. In fact, there are only six small hotels on 30A. Whether it be a beach house or condo, the vast majority of visitors stay in an Airbnb or other short-term vacation rental-style accommodations while traveling to 30A. In fact, 30A hotels are typically less affordable than most vacation rentals when priced per person per night.
On the flip side, when visiting New York City, hotels are by far the better option. The city either prohibits or has strict laws around short-term rentals, making hotels much more convenient, especially in Manhattan.
But what about everywhere in between?
You will need to do your research as there is no single answer. As an example, we spent three weeks in Europe this summer and stayed in short-term rentals in Amsterdam and Paris, but hotels in Brussels, Bath, and London. Each decision was carefully made using many of the below considerations!
Would an Airbnb or Hotel Better Let You Experience Your Destination?
Continuing our discussion around location, you need to ask yourself which accommodation style will better help you immerse yourself in the local culture.
For my family, walkability is the number one factor for us when booking accommodations. During our recent trip to Athens, we found a rental apartment in the Plaka district that allowed us to walk out and immediately enjoy the local restaurants and shops. Sometimes, Airbnb can provide a more immersive experience in terms of local culture and neighborhoods.
Additionally, a unique Airbnb rental in the mountains may offer you solitude and peace, something a hotel couldn’t.
We booked a three-story cave house on Santorini in November of 2022. It was the most extravagant place we have stayed to date but, surprisingly, it didn’t cost much more than a hotel. If we were traveling all the way to this famous island in Greece, we wanted to do it up right. Watching the sunset over the caldera from this cave house is something I will never forget!
#2 Privacy and Space
I am discussing each of these considerations in order of importance for my family. Now that the kids are teenagers, privacy and space are things we didn’t have to think about when the kids were younger.
These days, we try to look for a hotel or Airbnb with three beds or two beds and a sofa bed so Abby and Jake can have their own. We also have really grown to appreciate having two bathrooms. Or at least a bathroom with split sections allowing people to get ready, shower, or use the restroom simultaneously.
Personal Space Matters: Airbnb vs. Hotel Rooms
You should also think through the logistics of each accommodation if you are traveling with more than two adults, especially when it comes to sleeping arrangements and bathroom use. Many families traveling together for vacations prefer renting a large vacation home to maximize their quality time spent together.
The number of travelers in your party is most important here. Suppose you are a couple traveling anywhere in the world. In that case, you will always find great hotel options, negating the need for a short-term rental. Once you increase the number of guests, your options could quickly diminish depending on the destination.
In fact, deciding between an Airbnb or a hotel in Europe may be quite different than in the United States. In Europe, many rooms only accommodate up to 2 guests, so a family like mine may have to choose between multiple rooms or one short-term rental. When we were deciding between an Airbnb or hotel in Paris, it was a no-brainer to choose an Airbnb near the Lourve over either a hotel room that slept four located three miles away from the heart of the city or two rooms nearby at double the cost.
One last demographic to mention here includes parents with babies and toddlers. On one side, new parents may not want their baby in a different room inside an unfamiliar rental. But another set of parents may prefer a separate area for naps. You need to weigh your own priorities when deciding if a hotel or Airbnb would be better for you.
#3 Length of Stay
How long is your trip? Or, most importantly, how long will you be in one place?
Length of stay matters because often times, for longer trips, you want to really settle in and unpack. Typically, an Airbnb offers more room to make yourself at home than a hotel does. On the other hand, for short stays where you will be out and about for the majority of each day, a hotel is usually preferred.
Long vs Short Stays: Is an Airbnb or Hotel Better?
For longer stays of one week or more, I find that Airbnb and short-term rentals are a better fit.
For short stays, a hotel is almost always a better choice. This is mostly because most Airbnb and short-term rentals charge a cleaning fee.
Airbnb Fees
I know many people hate “the fees” associated with Airbnb. I want to avoid getting into a debate here, but it’s essential to understand the three most standard fees.
READ: What’s Up With Those Airbnb Fees?
The taxes are unavoidable whether you stay in a hotel or short-term rental.
The VRBO or Airbnb service charge is an average 15% fee for using the platform and protection for both the guest and host.
And the third is a cleaning fee. In most cases, like mine, this is a flat fee for cleaning between guests. Generally, this includes offsite laundering, paper goods, routine maintenance, etc.. 100% of my cleaning fee gets passed on to my cleaners. It does not make sense to bake this into my nightly rate as I allow guests to stay for as short as two nights. Whether they stay two nights or two weeks, the cleaning fee is the same. I am mentioning this because the longer you stay, the cleaning fee is essentially spread out over more nights.
There are times when my $125 cleaning fee is more than an off-season $99 nightly rate. If a couple stays two nights during the slow months, the cleaning fee is over half the total room rate. However, it’s less than 20% of the total if they stay a week. Hopefully, this makes sense and helps you understand how cleaning fees usually make hotels a better option for short stays. In peak season, when guests are paying $500 per night, the cleaning fee is a drop in the bucket for the average stay.
I will note that sites like Booking.com sometimes do not have cleaning fees on their short-term rentals. It varies by owner, so look closely at the final totals. We use them almost as often as we use Airbnb when booking apartment-style rentals.
Hotel Fees
You must also be aware of hotel fees, including resort fees, amenities, parking, etc. The only way to compare apples to apples is to look at the total price before booking. Do not rely only on the nightly rate at either hotels or Airbnb.
#4 Budget Considerations
As an extension of the last section, you’ll need to consider your budget when deciding between hotels and Airbnbs.
Airbnb or Hotel Costs: Which Is More Budget-Friendly?
Hotel vs Airbnb prices can vary by destination and the reasons for your trip.
Heading out of town for a quick sports tournament may be an instance where you want to save money and get in and out as cheaply as possible. A discount hotel may best fit the bill.
On the contrary, a bucket list trip to the Maldives may not be where you want to skimp out on things. A 5-star resort at the higher end of your budget may just be worth it.
Again, look at your budget on a case-by-case basis and see where the value of each property lies. Save where you need to and splurge where you can!
#5 Amenities and Services
Typically, Airbnb and hotel accommodations offer very different experiences when it comes to amenities. Consider the purpose of your trip, whether you desire particular amenities, how a property aligns with your travel preferences, and go from there.
Luxury or Comfort: Weighing Amenities and Services of an Airbnb or Hotel
Consider a few factors here, such as your desire to cook in vs dine out, your likelihood to use spa services, whether you mind outside noise, etc.
Usually, an Airbnb or short-term rental will have a kitchen or kitchenette allowing you to prepare your own meals. This relates to some earlier points, such as budget and length of stay.
Hotels often have additional amenities such as a concierge, bellman, room service, and a spa. Do you value these? You may be better off booking hotels vs Airbnb rental properties.
Freestanding rental homes also offer more privacy than hotels or rental condos. Are you looking for a place to escape? Would you enjoy a private backyard pool? Booking a rental home on Airbnb or VRBO may be ideal for you!
Furthermore, vacation rentals can sometimes offer more extras, like the baby items that we include for free, in both of our one-bedroom condos.
#6 Booking Flexibility
Your plans may change, and you need to be ready for that. Are you someone who likes to purchase freestanding travel insurance? In that case, you should be covered.
If not, you need to look at a hotel or Airbnb’s cancellation policy closely.
What Offers More Flexibility in Booking: Airbnb or Hotel Reservations?
Often, hotels have a variety of rates offered with differing cancellation/refund terms.
Most Airbnb rentals have a set cancellation policy. As a host, I can choose between a few different cancellation options. As you can see in my Airbnb listings, mine is set to FIRM, which is about in the middle. Guests can cancel up to 30 days out for a full refund. They receive a 50% refund up to 7 days before check-in and no refund after that.
If I were to have a more lenient cancellation policy, I would find myself with many cancellations in the days or weeks leading up to a guest’s arrival. These last-minute cancellations are challenging to rebook and cost my family money.
That said, book accommodation with cancellation policies you are comfortable with. Consider buying travel insurance for your trip, as it’s an inexpensive way to protect your trip.
#7 Safety and Security at Hotels and Airbnbs
Just as accommodations vary by location, so does the general safety and security of an area. Please do your research, especially when visiting large cities in the US and traveling internationally. No amount of money saved is worth it if you are booking in a dangerous area.
Ensuring Safety: Airbnb or Hotel Stays?
For the most part, hotels and resorts will have one main entrance with staff present. Some even require key card access to room floors. I don’t ever worry about my safety inside a hotel. Still, I do want to be cognizant of what happens as soon as I step outside of the building, whether staying in a hotel or Airbnb.
Before booking, spend some time reading reviews for the property and the surrounding neighborhood.
As an Airbnb host, I use smart locks and change the door codes between guests. This allows each guest to have a unique door code, typically the last four digits of their phone number, which I know they appreciate.
#8 Airbnbs vs. Hotel Loyalty
In addition to being a travel writer and Airbnb host, I am also very passionate about the credit card and points/miles hobby. I value loyalty programs, work hard to achieve higher status, and enjoy the perks that come with it.
For this reason, I always book hotels directly to ensure I get credit and benefits for my stay.
How Important Are Loyalty Programs To You?
For some, priorities differ. I have many friends who are happy booking the lowest hotel rate offered via third-party sites like Priceline and Expedia. They know they won’t receive credit for the stay, but it doesn’t matter to them anyway.
So, to quickly address this topic. The one main downside of Airbnb is that it is not attached to any loyalty program. Interestingly, VRBO is now a part of the new One Key program offered by Expedia Group. Therefore, those stays do earn you credit with that program. Even sites like Booking.com increase your VIP level as you book more room nights.
As Diamond Elite members with IHG, we receive free breakfast at their hotels. Last week, while staying at the Intercontinental Boston, this translated to $300 ($100 per day) in credit for our family. So, we factor in our benefits and perks when deciding between hotel or short-term rental accommodations.
#9 Reviews, Reputation & Experience
Lastly, the reviews and reputation of an Airbnb or hotel do matter. But, most important is the experience each offers.
A hotel can’t duplicate the awe you feel staying in that unique treehouse overlooking the lake. And my one-bedroom condos can’t even begin to rival the pampering you would receive at a Four Seasons.
Making an Informed Choice: Airbnb and Hotel Reviews
Experiences aside, you can compare reviews apples to apples. So, take the time to read them. Look for common themes when reading Airbnb reviews and hotel reviews. Do people generally leave happy?
With Airbnb, in particular, the host can make or break your experience. I take pride in being one of the top-rated hosts on the Airbnb platform, but I acknowledge that many are less invested than I am. Those Airbnb hosts likely won’t provide excellent customer service. So, read the reviews!
On that note, just as some hosts are better than others, the same applies to guests. Staying at an Airbnb is quite different than staying at a hotel, so read my blog post all about how to be a good Airbnb guest.
Airbnb or Hotel – Your Choice, Your Adventure
Choosing between an Airbnb and a hotel ultimately depends on your travel preferences and priorities. Some factors, such as budget, group size, and short vs. long-term stays, are within your control. Others, such as safety, price, etc., are not.
You need to weigh all of the above factors and decide whether an Airbnb or hotel is better for you on each and every trip! Sometimes, there is not a clear winner. Just trust your gut, book the trip, and enjoy the adventure!
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