When going on vacation, it’s not only about pool time and eating delicious food. Getting a good night’s rest is vital to having enough energy for those breathtaking hikes and city wanderings. We have noticed that where we stay can have a huge impact on whether we enjoy a location or not. Probably because if I don’t get my sleep, I’m cranky, have less patience, and ultimately don’t enjoy my day as much as expected. Don’t let this happen to you! Continue reading to find out how to choose between hotels vs vacation rentals for your next trip.
When booking lodging in any location, I first decide if I want to stay in hotels vs vacation rentals. Our family enjoys staying in both, and I believe that each has their pluses and minuses depending on the situation. Whether you are looking for a remote getaway or an all-inclusive adventure, traveling with only one person or as a large family, choosing the type of lodging is impactful. Below I describe the advantages and disadvantages of hotels vs vacation rentals, and my opinion on when to book one over the other.
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Some of the links on this post are affiliate links. When clicking on the links and booking travel, I receive a small commission with no extra costs for you. Please note, I only recommend brands I actually use and trust.
Hotels
The good reliable hotel. It has been around the longest and is the most trusted. I would say if you are a beginner traveler, you are most likely going to look for your nearest Hilton, Marriott or Holiday Inn. These could be great choices depending on a few factors. Let’s dive into the benefits and drawbacks of hotels.
**Please note that hotels are not created equally and there will be some variations to these comments below. They are more generalizations than absolutes.
Hotel Advantages
- A high standard for cleanliness. There is a whole crew ready to clean up and make sure your hotel room’s bathroom is spotless and the bed is clean and made.
- The standard check-in desk. This is familiar to most people and usually makes it easier for a person to check in. With a live person there to do it! You don’t have to look up the instructions for checking in because all hotels are the same.
- Usually centrally located near attractions or public transportation.
- Sometimes breakfast is included and this can be a huge perk if you want to roll out of bed and fill up your belly before setting out to explore.
- Housekeeping cleans your room each day. If you enjoy returning from a day out to a nice clean room and a made bed, this is a great advantage!
- Easier to find bonus amenities included like a pool, hot tub, sauna, gym, bar, etc..
- Easy to book for just a single night or two.
Hotel Disadvantages
- I have found that hotels usually are a little more expensive. This may also be because of the amenities that they offer and or location. So think about what is important to you and then consider if the cost is worth the amenities that the hotel provides.
- There are many guests at hotels! This means you need to share those fun amenities with other people. This may be totally fine for you. Other times, you want that hot tub to yourself.
- Sometimes breakfast is gross. Breakfast can be hit or miss. Hotel breakfast in Sweden is going to look a lot different than the hotel breakfast you get in South Dakota. In case you’re not sure, Sweden had the absolute best breakfast we’ve ever seen!
- If you travel with limited baggage, having access to laundry might be important to you. Many hotels don’t have laundry service and if they do it’s an extra charge.
- If you are traveling with a family in Europe, it may be harder to find hotels with family rooms. Many hotel rooms are for 2 people, possibly 3. It’s not impossible, but something to be aware of.
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Vacation Rentals – Airbnbs and VRBOs
The newest way to book lodging actually has been around for a little while. VRBO launched in 1995 and Airbnb has been around since 2007. Airbnb went global in 2011 and has gained popularity ever since. These two top vacation rental sites have some offerings that hotels just don’t offer and might be the perfect choice for you.
Vacation Rental Advantages
- Airbnb and VRBO hosts have the ability to offer significant discounts for longer stays. If you are considering staying in one location for a week or a month, a vacation rental is a great place to look. Weekly and monthly discounts can vary depending on the hosts’ preferences, but we have found 50% discounts on monthly stays. That’s huge!
- If you are looking for somewhere different to stay, look up unique places on Airbnb. You can search for unique features such as amazing views, tiny homes, tree houses, castles, lake front, or my favorite, OMG!, for the truly different.
- Seeking someplace remote or just wanting your privacy? Vacation rentals allow you to stay in a home and not see another person the whole time if you desire. You can also find places where hotels don’t have the demand. A remote cabin in the woods might be right up your alley and you won’t find a hotel in that neck of the woods!
- The amenities that vacation rentals offer can vary greatly. You can search for homes to stay in and make sure you have just the things you need. Include filters for washer and dryer, wifi, pool, air conditioning, free parking etc…
- Traveling with a big group? Vacation rentals make it easy by being able to find a large home that can accommodate many people. It’s nice to be able to stay in one place and have a communal area all to yourselves. Usually splitting the cost ends up saving money as well!
- A favorite benefit of a vacation rental for me is that hosts are locals that want to give advice and share their favorite restaurants and local attractions with you. Many hosts have guidebooks written up for you and are included when you complete the booking. My personal favorite though is to reach out to them directly and just ask. You will usually get their personal favorite that way!
Vacation Rental Disadvantages
- Quality control is regulated on Airbnb and VRBO by reviews. That means you can find some really disgusting or poorly managed rentals. Be careful when booking to be sure to find the best.
- Check in and communication can be difficult depending on your host. Because these rentals are managed by individual people, there is a possibility that your host won’t respond within 10 minutes of you asking a question or having a problem. Be patient and be proactive with communicating with hosts. If you don’t see your check-in details at least 24 hours in advance, reach out to the hosts right away and not right before arriving.
- City zoning might make it hard to find a vacation rental near the city center. Many cities are regulating vacation rentals and making it harder for people to become hosts, especially near city centers where many attractions are located.
Avoid booking a terrible Airbnb: Cut Through the Bullshit: How to Book a Good Airbnb
My Thoughts on Booking Hotels vs Vacation Rentals
Book a hotel if you want to be in a centralized location where you have access to a person to help in various situations. Additionally, hotels are a great option if you are looking for the convenience of amenities and having your room cleaned each day. There is less of a risk in getting a dirty hotel, especially if it is a chain that you trust. Hotels are best for shorter stays.
My favorite tool to book a hotel stay is Booking.com. Check out their deals with this link. I’ve also put a widget at the bottom of this page for you to easily search up hotels to your next destination.
Book a vacation rental if you want a unique stay and would like to save money on meals out and if you need to do laundry. Best for longer stays, large groups and more remote locations.
You can search accommodations and book vacation rentals like Airbnb and VRBO directly on their websites, which I’ve linked for you to easily access.
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