Hotel vs. Airbnb vs. Hostel: Pros and Cons of Airbnb’s
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Choosing your accommodation when traveling can make or break your trip. It’s essential to figure out what you want out of your trip entirely before choosing between a Hotel, Airbnb, or Hostel. A few simple questions to ask yourself when comparing your accommodation options are:
Do I want to meet people?
Do I want to party?
Do I need privacy to complete some work?
Do I need reliable internet?
Do I want to cook?
What is my budget?
Am I comfortable sleeping in the same room as other people?
Am I comfortable using a communal toilet?
Am I comfortable using a communal shower?
What is my tolerance for being woken up by people making noise?
Do I want to sleep in a bunk bed?
Do I have an itinerary, or am I just going with the flow of things?
Do I need to wash my clothes?
Airbnb
At its peak, Airbnb revolutionized the hospitality industry. People could finally experience what it’s like to stay in a castle, a pre-pitched teepee in the middle of the desert, or an apartment overlooking the Manhattan skyline. In recent years, Airbnb’s fees have become a topic of negative conversation regarding the cost and extra duties required by hosts.
Below are some pros and cons to consider when reviewing your accommodation options.
Pros
Uniqueness
Hosts worldwide rent out unique and beautiful properties, allowing guests to stay in places they never thought possible.
Costs
Airbnbs have been known to be cheaper than hotels, which means your money can go further.
Whether you rent out just a room or the entire home, you will indeed find something that will fit your budget.
Location
Since an Airbnb just needs to be a suitable living facility, the locations of these properties have few limits.
If you want to find a place to stay right along the beach, away from the city, it’s possible. If you want to stay in the mountains to get great views when eating breakfast, it’s possible.
Search the area around your destination for stays off the beaten path.
Hosts
Unlike Hotels, Airbnb has a host that brings that personal touch to your stay. It is common to come across hosts who go above and beyond for their guests. From recommending places to eat to extending an invite to have you join them for dinner, you will find hosts who care about your experience.
Experiences
The Airbnb app allows people to book activities with locals.
I’d recommend searching through these, as some exciting things can be listed.
Reviews Encouraged
You will often read through the reviews before booking. Airbnb encourages all users to leave reviews, so the chances that the reviews you see are accurate are pretty high. It’s best to try to choose a property with more reviews and a higher rating.
Living Space
If you rent a room or the entire home, you will get some living space. You will have that space if you need room to decompress or work remotely.
You will even see the option to apply the “Dedicated Workspace” filter if you need more than WiFi.
Airbnb filter for essential needs.
Amenities
Above, you will see some amenities you can filter through to make your stay feel more homey. On top of these, you will come across a property in a condominium that will give you access to a gym, pool, business center, and nearby restaurants.
One big piece of advice is do not overlook the convenience of an in-suite washer and dryer. It is not fun when you are relaxing or out exploring, and then you suddenly remember you had clothes in the communal washer or dryer and need to remove them.
Privacy
Although renting just a room may suffice for you, renting the entire home will provide the additional privacy that some need. The entire home option will be for you if you prefer to be alone.
Large Groups
If you are traveling with a big group, an Airbnb will make financial sense, as properties that accommodate everyone are available.
Ten people splitting the cost of an Airbnb will likely turn out cheaper than renting three hotel rooms at minimum.
Cons
Fees and Extra Duties
Recently, Airbnb hosts have been slandered online for their high fees and the responsibilities required before they check out, like taking the trash out, washing the sheets, and sweeping.
These things have left a bad taste in the mouths of people who feel their cleaning fees should cover them.
Maintenance
Some Airbnb hosts partner with management companies to run their properties, but not all do. This means that a maintenance request is at the hosts' mercy and what they’re willing to spend to fix the situation promptly.
Air Condition
It is common to find an Airbnb without air conditioning. If it is available, browse through the description or pictures to verify the type of air conditioning.
If you are traveling to a warmer climate and the only thing cooling the entire space is a small window unit, you may not want to book that one as it may not cool down as much as you want.
A little due diligence can be the difference between going to sleep unbearably hot and when traveling; sleep is essential.
Guests
Most hosts will have it in their rules that guests are not allowed. This is understandable to prevent parties or damage to the property, but it can be a pain.
If you want to have a small hangout before heading out for the night or want to have a nightcap, your option to do so is probably restricted.
Location
Although it is a pro, it is also a con. Unlike hotels and hostels, where they are strategically placed to attract tourists, an Airbnb can be anywhere in the city. This means you could be staying in an area with high crime, far from transportation, limited food options, etc.
The upside is you can read the reviews of others before you book, as well as do some research on the area.
Hosts
Another one that is a pro but can be a con. Unlike Hotels and Hostels, which have multiple people working, your main point of contact for issues is your host.
If you have a host who is not responsible, your issue can take longer than you want resolved.
Reviews left on properties can help you determine what type of host you will be getting, so it is best to pay careful attention to those.
Conclusion
Staying at an Airbnb is an excellent option for feeling more like a local while saving money. The pros outweigh the cons, but I have realized over time that it does not fit every situation I’ve been in while traveling.
It’s always best to know what you want to get out of your accommodation option before deciding on one, as you do not want to feel like you wasted your money on one of the most significant traveling expenses.