Typical Airbnb advantages over hotels include more space, better amenities, kitchens, lower cost, a washer & dryer, and much more.
A vacation rental—whether a home, apartment, condo, boat, yurt, shared space, or other property—represents tremendous value, compared to hotels, for flexible, adventurous travel consumers.
Here are some of my favorite reasons why Airbnb rentals are better than hotels and Airbnb advantages over hotels.
McCool Travel Note (2023): a wonderful humanitarian gesture is to help Ukraine citizens by booking their places on Airbnb. You will not actually stay there but the Ukrainian property owner receives the money. Airbnb suspended their fees (end date TBD) so that Ukraine property owners receive ALL the money.
1. Airbnb Properties Usually Have More Space
My favorite simple example why Airbnbs are better than hotels is for a family of four (such as the McCool gang). To stay in a hotel suite, we have to book two rooms, but I can find a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment for a lower price.
More space, less price. Brilliant. That might be all you need to know but read on for seven more Airbnb advantages over hotels.
2. Airbnb Properties Have Kitchens
Most of our temporary Airbnb homes have full kitchens so we have the option of preparing meals, thus slashing our dining expenses and eating healthier.
3. Airbnb Amenities Are Better Than Hotels
Rental properties often have amenities that are unavailable at hotels (or cost money)—such as bicycles, canoes or kayaks, views (oceanfront), convenient (and free) parking, better entertainment (TV, premium channels, sound system), private pool / spa, games (pool table, foosball), and more.
4. Another Airbnb Advantage Is a Washer and Dryer
Our family can travel with only carryon baggage knowing that we can do laundry every 3-4 days in our rental properties. In fact, it is kind of fun trying to figure out appliances in Montreal, Rome, Venice, or wherever in the world we are.
5. Airbnb Properties are in Neighborhoods
Vacation rentals are typically located in local neighborhoods (rather than tourist areas, where hotels are) so they are more authentically fun, restaurants and shops charge less, and people are naturally friendlier.
6. Airbnb Owners Provide Better Info to Visitors
information provided by Airbnb property owners is more appropriate (to me) than what I extract from hotel staff. For instance, home owners recommend more down-to-earth (authentic, local favorite) restaurants than hotel concierges (trendy, touristy).
7. Airbnb Properties Cost Less than Hotels
Vacation rental prices are usually lower than hotel rooms of comparable quality. My Airbnb rental in Boston this past March had a plush king bed, amazing shower and bathroom, two levels, full kitchen, deck, private entrance, nearby street parking, and many custom touches; the rate was half the price of nearby Boston city hotels. Let me repeat that:
HALF the price of nearby hotels.
8. Airbnbs Have Free Wifi (and Faster Wifi, Too!)
Good, working wifi, too, not crappy pretend hotel wifi. A common hotel complaint is costly and ineffective wifi. Every vacation rental I have stayed at had strong and free wifi. Most also had extended cable, AppleTV, Netflix, and/or other fantastic entertainment options.
In these articles I compare a vacation house rental to hotel:
- Outer Banks Lodging: Luxury Resort or Home Rental
- St. John USVI Lodging: Vacation Home or Luxury Resort Hotel
What other Airbnb advantages have you experienced? If you are a hotel person, see my article about 8 Great Hotel Advantages (over Airbnb)
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We have had some really great and very bad experiences with Airbnbs. When it comes down to it, price and location play a major part in our decision making for lodgings. I do love the uniqueness Airbnbs provide so I always look at what’s available when I travel.
Powerful to have options. Absolutely hotels are sometimes the better choice. But vacation rentals are often better. Smart travelers look at all the possibilities.
We also are Team home rental. Space is key especially with a family (your Rome apt looks lovely- what area was this in?) Also, having a kitchen makes breakfast & coffee super convenient & saves $ too. Really enjoyed this post! 👏
Thank you, Cindi. That Rome apartment was in a remarkably amazing location. The first building on Via del Corso.
This is all so true! I actually rarely ever stay in hotels. If I’m travelling solo I love a good hostel where I can meet other travellers. And if it’s just my partner and I an AirBnb feels much more like a home away from home but gives us more of the space and privacy we crave.
I can’t think of the last time I booked a hotel for myself! I think it would feel quite restrictive. Even making a cup of tea isn’t quite the same!
Vacation rental places are definitely better for tea experiences. Love it.
We use Airbnb and hotels equally. Sometimes on a short stay the cleaning fee makes Airbnb more expensive so that’s something to look at. I love having the sitting & kitchen space with Airbnb when there are more than 2 of us. My favorite Airbnb advantage is the uniqueness of some of the properties as well as the decor and personal touches.
Definitely a good idea to consider that cleaning fee.
I haven’t booked Airbnb yet but of course considering it for future travels. And I agree having better deals when travelling in a group. Also when staying for a long time and having all the homey amenities.
Happy travels. Hope you get the chance to stay in a vacation rental sometime soon.
I compare the pros and cons of Airbnb’s and hotels before each booking. Sometimes a hotel is preferred because I can store luggage there after check out! But generally I do love a kitchen and a washer 🙂
Exactly. It is wonderful to have options.
I absolutely love this post. I think it might have been just what I needed to take the plunge! Thanks so much!
Beck
So glad to hear this. Good luck with the lodging search. It is a solid option to standard hotels. Happy Travels!
Great Airbnb, I’ll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the info.
Thank you for the note. Let me know if I can assist you further. If you have not used Airbnb before, use my link to get a nice discount off your first stay.
Strong and convincing article. We have never stayed in an Airbnb but are open to it. We road trip wherever we go and typically only stay one night and then we’re off again early the next morning. Hotels work well for us but there are places this would work perfectly for. We’ll probably give it a go in the future!
We have had great experiences with Airbnb, always saving money over the price of a hotel. When you add in the bonus of having a space to do laundry, cook, and just get some space from your travel partner(s), it’s definitely worth it. That being said, if we’re only in town one night or two, we usually go with a hotel, particularly if it has a pool, gym, or free breakfast. So for us, we mix it up!
Wonderful travel strategy. Thank you for the note, Deahh!
Great advice that I need to take and use!
Thank you, Sara.
We’ve used Airbnb a few times, but have actually had better success and nicer accommodations using Homeaway… I’d use Airbnb again, but I always go to Homeaway first.
Cool deal, Tami. Glad you have a system to fit your travel preferences. That is really smart and important.
Agreed to all! Especially these days having a kitchen is super important. Additionally, in normal times when you do the OG Airbnb experience you will get to stay with the owner and get to know the owner. Learn from them if it’s a different culture…
Like a lot of other people I have had mixed experiences with AirBnB. When it was good is was great but a few issues dealing with owners and one or two that don’t live up to the promise, keep me on the fence.
You do make some good points here though.
Keep using Airbnb. It is such a revolutionary disruption to the travel lodging segment.
Well your share looking cool to see it.
I saved a ton of money on lodging in Italy and Spain this summer renting apartments and houses. I only used Airbnb for one of them. Other sites for everything else.
Excellent, Phil. Did you use local rental resources? VRBO, Homeaway, FliKey, or what?
My experience with AirBnB has been rather mixed. I’m a solo traveler, and really cannot justify the cost of an entire apartment just for myself. Renting a room in an apartment has its good points and bad points. I’ve rented through them 5 or 6 times. Two stays were great, and the others were just okay. Most of the issues had to do with cleanliness, and just plain weird and annoying people renting the other rooms. Doors and locks come in so handy! Paying upfront (sometimes months in advance) is also something I’m not that keen on.
Thank you for the note, Nancie.
We rented a gorgeous traditional house on one of the islands in Greece through AirBnB and it was wonderful to be immersed in the region with all books in the bookcase in Greek – and members of the family who owned the house dropping local food stuffs off to us as welcoming gifts!
That sounds like a wonderful experience, Linda.
It’s true Charles, AirBnB has been great to us, too. I don’t know why I don’t do it all the time.
Great stuff. Thank you, Tom.
I hear so many great things about Airbnb, but haven’t tried them yet. We were very close to renting thru Airbnb in Paris in December, but ultimately decided on a hotel. We’ve stayed in apartments several times in our travels, and definitely appreciate the benefits. Will give Airbnb a closer look next time.
Of course, I think you should!
You do sing well the praises of AirB&B. I will try it someday.
When you do, let me know how it goes.
Agree with everything you said. I’ve always had great experiences at Airbnb’s. In Spain, our hosts took us on an evening of eating, dancing and fun with their friends and family at the “feria” – such a great firsthand cultural experience, and a highlight of our trip!
Sounds magnificent.