Some hotel advantages over Airbnb properties include easier reservation process, perceived safety and quality, consistent product, and hotel loyalty programs. People who prefer hotels over vacation rentals like the familiarity of hotels, not being surprised, and those almighty travel points.
As an independent travel consumer advocate, I am not loyal to any one supplier or way of doing things. As a travel consumer, I seek value, convenience, and fun. Sometimes I prefer hotels over Airbnbs but other times I prefer Airbnbs over hotels. I cover both sides.
Also see my article about Airbnb advantages over hotels.
In this article I flip the script and present hotel advantages over Airbnb, why to choose a hotel instead of Airbnb, the benefits of going to a hotel—with some help from some hotel-loving friends.
1. Consistent Quality of Hotels
With hotels, you can anticipate fairly consistent quality across brands. Repeat travelers know what to expect when staying at any Residence Inn, Super 8, or Four Seasons—whether in Santa Fe, Missoula, or Helsinki. Novice travelers can use sorting filters on booking websites and read reviews to view hotels meeting certain price, rating (quality), or other criteria (distance, size, brand, etc.).
Airbnb rentals range from ground space (really) or an air mattress in a common room to entire estates (also really)—the overwhelming plethora of options can be intimidating and risky.
2. Hotel Reservation Process
Most hotel reservations are immediate and binding, especially when booking directly with the supplier (hotel chain). Some Airbnb bookings are automatic but most (my estimate) still require sending a request to the owner, receiving approval, and then booking the property. I have read a very small percentage of Airbnb reviews where the reservation was made far in advance but cancelled by the owner within a month of the check in date. I certainly would not risk booking (or advise someone else to book) such a place.
The hotel refund process is usually better than Airbnb refund policy. Most hotel reservations can be cancelled or altered up to the day of arrival or perhaps 24 hours prior but Airbnb users are usually locked into their itinerary once it is booked. Note however that several times I have cancelled Airbnb stays in advance (within the appropriate guidelines) and received a full refund.
See also our article Finding Ritz-Carlton Discounts For Future Luxury Hotel Stays
3. Hotel Advantages As Last Minute Stays
When on my beloved road trips, I rarely have a predetermined destination for the end of the day. I set off in the morning, spend hours exploring, and find a place to sleep when my adventure meter is empty. In other words, I often book last minute lodging.
For these situations, the hotel (or usually for me, a roadside motel or inn) process works better than Airbnb. I have tried using the Airbnb app on the road but last minute bookings are not conducive to their model.
4. Hotels Require Less Research Time
After more than 25 years of trip planning (for myself and others), I have refined processes for hotel and Airbnb searches. While it usually takes some time to research and decide on a hotel property, it less than the effort and time of Airbnb searches. Because of the unique nature of vacation rental properties, it simply takes more time and effort to research possibilities, narrow down the choices, contact the owners, and make a decision.
So, strictly in terms of finding a place to stay, the time spent searching is one of the hotel advantages over Airbnb.
5. Hotel Loyalty Programs
I knew when I asked Ed Pizzarello for a quote about why hotel loyalty trumps Airbnb rentals, it was like asking if a rock star wanted some recreational substance (yes, loyalty points ARE like crack. I said it!). He recently wrote A Cautionary Tale on Airbnb and frequently travels with his family so I was interested in his viewpoint. Ed shared this with me:
“While Airbnb fits a definite need for travel, don’t overlook the value of hotel loyalty programs. If leveraged correctly, it can yield a whole lot more comfort without having to spend money. Points can be redeemed for suites, villas or larger rooms in many destinations, making travel with a family cheaper and more comfortable. Redeeming hotel points isn’t just 4 people crammed into a room with 2 small beds and 1 bathroom.”
6. Travel Agents Can Book Hotels
Travel agents can book hotels, sometimes at lower rates than consumers can find online. Travel agents cannot book Airbnb properties. Well, I mean travel agents do not receive commissions for Airbnb bookings. Anyway, if you lean toward the non-DIY (do-it-yourself) side of travel planning, using a travel agent to book hotels is a sensible go-to strategy.
7. Perceived Safety and Security
Suzanne Wolko another hotel fan and frequent business traveler recently wrote 10 Reasons Airbnb for Business Travel Isn’t Good and shared the following:
“Traveling solo, I’m always concerned about security and safety. A hotel provides me a better sense of security than the Airbnb hosts/properties did—hotels have evacuation plans and security on site. I want to relax and sleep well knowing assistance is a phone call away.”
One newsworthy Airbnb episode in Spain is definitely disturbing. Personally, I have had no safety incidents with Airbnb properties or any vacation rentals.
In hotels, on the other hand, I have had a housekeeper enter my room (Austin Texas), guests enter my room (Hawaii), a local try to enter my room (Texarkana Texas), and returned from dinner to a murder scene (Anaheim California). On a recent road trip, local news was about a murder in a hotel.
So, I do not agree that vacation rentals are more dangerous than hotels. Do your research! I definitely recognize that even perceived safety will make most travelers more comfortable.
8. Hotels Provide Escape From Everyday Life
Many people want to get away from it all when on vacation and be pampered and catered to. Suzanne also shared:
“I want to escape the daily drama of life (work, cook, clean, gym) so I expect a hotel to offer everything I can’t get at home (luxury bedding, room service, a concierge) and make me feel special. Airbnb makes me feel like I’m home—working, cleaning, cooking, etc.”
Those are some great reasons why hotels are better than Airbnb. Of course, not every hotel is worth your time. Reader’s Digest rounded up 10 Red Flags You’re About to Stay at a Bad Hotel, including tips from the McCool Travel team.
What other hotel advantages have you experienced?
Here are some articles where 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
>> Please also read my counterpoint article, 8 Great Airbnb Advantages.
You may also like 88 Useful Travel Hacks to Save Money, Time, and Stress
How great that you mention how there is consistent quality with hotels. I want to go on a great trip with my family this summer. I will find a good Albury motor inn for us as well.
Enjoy your family summer trip.
It’s cool that you point out that staying at a hotel on your vacation is a great way to escape from your daily life. I’ve been searching for a way to get away from the grind of my stressful everyday life this summer, so I’m considering staying at a hotel for a week. I’m going to search for a reputable hotel at which to book a room.
Sounds like a sensible rejuvenation opportunity. Let me know how it goes.
Hotels give my wife a rest from cooking, but, as you say, you know what you are getting
It is all about happier experiences. Enjoy!
Thanks for pointing out that hotels offer a secure place to stay when you are traveling. I need to travel somewhere next month, so I’m considering staying at a hotel. I’m going to search for a reputable hotel in the area that I can use.
As I pointed out, I have been in horrible hotels, including one where a murder occurred while I was a dinner. Nothing so insidious has happened at any of my vacation rentals. But some people have the perceived notion of better security in hotels. Whatever works!
Neat breakdown Charles. I prefer Air BnB’s to hotels as me and my wife do the long term travel bit. But I see these hotel advantages too, especially when you need to book a place fast at the last minute. Hotels rock for shorter term stays while Air Bnb’s can be a bit much for short stays but quite perfect for weeks or even a month.
Ryan
I have stayed in Airbnbs for one night and hotels for longer stays but I do like your general rule.
Thanks for pointing out that staying at a hotel is a great way to escape your daily life while you are traveling. I want to have a relaxing time on my trip next week, so I’m considering booking a room at a hotel. I’m going to search for a reputable provider of hotel accommodations that I can use.
I try to cover all the bases. Travel Happy!
It’s cool that you mention that hotels offer a safe place to stay when you are traveling. I want to make sure that my family has a safe time on our road trip this month, so I’m considering booking a room at a hotel for us. I’m going to look for a reputable hotel along our route that we can use.
Safety is often the most important factor when people travel. Be safe but have a fantastic time.
Thank you for mentioning that hotels offer a safe place to stay when you are traveling. I want to make sure that my family is safe on our road trip next month, so I’m considering getting a room at a hotel for us. I’m going to search for a reputable hotel that we can use.
Glad you like this article. Happy traveling and road trip funness.
Great information. I tend to choose hotels as well. We are members of Marriott and Hilton and love the points. My husband travels a lot for his job, so he earns the points and we use them for personal travel. We also have a platinum AMEX that we use to pay for EVERYTHING. The points are awesome for airfare and hotels.
Hello Michele. Oh those points are addicting, right? Hope you are well.
You’ve listed some great points. I’ve gone back to hotels after having used Airbnb for a year or so. The loyalty programmes are really good.
Thank you for your note, Lisa. I wonder how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect people’s feelings about where to stay.
I tend to stay in hotels more too, but for none of the reasons here. And I’m an AirBNB host.
Here’s why I don’t stay at AirBNBs: http://bit.ly/2Qk775Q
If you are a host and can overcome these obstacles, shout it from the rooftops because people will like being your guests!
Thank you for the note, Owen. Nice to hear from an Airbnb host. Travel Happy!
Yes, Looking great hotel.
My goal is travel for free. This is why I mostly stay in hotels. Hotels’ loyalty programs along with their own credit cards are really powerful. Example: IGH credit cards gives you one hotel stay on every anniversary. You can stay anywhere in the world at any of their hotels for a low annual fee of $49.00! I stayed in their top hotels in top locations which normally cost hundreds of dollars per night. I also often use my air miles to stay for free. For example living in the USA, I have Air Canada credit card. I opened it solely to use for hotel stays, since these miles allow flights only from Canada. Other possibility, if you travel a lot, with every 10 hotels nights you can earn one free with hotels.com. With hotels, there is a lot room to maneuver to get lodging for free or close to it while with rentals you can only use cash back or travel credit cards like Capital One Signature Vise or Barclay Arrival. Still doable but much harder.
Sounds great, Yvonne. I know Marriott also gives you a free stay on anniversaries. I am sure others also do. Free travel is a great goal. Have you tried Couchsurfing? 😀
Marriot and Hyatt, but both have restrictions as far as category while IHG gives you freedom to choose from any of their hotels. I often take my girlfriends for Christmas shopping to NYC. We stay at Times Square which at this time of year is often close to $500 per night. Next year, I will stay for two nights in French Rivera seafront, top notch hotel worth around $600 per night. I did not try Couchsurfing yet. I know about it but so far I am good at least for another year with miles, points etc. No need for that yet!
Great stuff to know. Thank you.