Perfect Accommodation: 10 Reasons to Stay at a Hotel & 10 Better Perks Airbnbs Offer
Choosing the Perfect Stay
You’ve got your flight booked, and now comes the hard part: choosing your accommodation. While some travelers immediately go for the reliability of a hotel, others prefer the charm, privacy, and flexibility of an Airbnb. But which one is the better fit for your trip? To help you decide, here are 10 reasons to stay at a hotel—and 10 perks that might make an Airbnb the better choice.
1. Daily Housekeeping
The best thing about staying at a hotel is that you don't need to worry about how messy you make your room before you leave the next morning for your adventure. Of course, you shouldn't throw your belongings everywhere for the staff to clean, but you can rest assured knowing everything will be spotless by the time you're back in the evening.
2. 24/7 Service
Room service, anyone? Besides getting your food served right to you, however, another perk that hotels offer is the 24/7 service. Need an extra towel after midnight? Ran out of toothpaste? Used up the last bit of shampoo? Don't worry—just give the front desk a call.
3. Security & Safety
Hotels are often big chains, and they're part of a business. This means they're typically equipped with proper surveillance, security guards, and safety plans and measures. If anything were to go wrong or there's an emergency, you know you'll be in good hands.
4. Know What to Expect
Hotels might be different depending on where in the world you're traveling to, but in general, you know what to expect. The experience will be more or less the same, and there are usually no surprises—that is, unless you booked a stay without first reading the reviews.
5. Amenities
Another great perk about staying at hotels? The amenities and freebies! From shampoo bottles and slippers to spas and rooftop swimming pools, you'll come out with more than you went in with when booking a hotel. And if you're staying at a five-star chain, there's much more to explore outside your room and floor.
6. Complimentary Breakfast
Hotels often offer complimentary breakfast, which means you don't need to worry about heading out in the morning to buy something with your own money. And since these buffets usually have plenty of variety, you can eat to your heart's content.
7. Convenience
Most hotels are located in the heart of the city, so you won't need to travel far to get to the places you want to explore. Even more convenient is that you'll often have multiple transportation options, meaning you don't need to worry about having to walk too far from the closest bus or metro station.
8. Reliable
As previously mentioned, you know what to expect when you book a hotel. That's what makes them reliable, and you know they'll go above and beyond to ensure you have a great stay. You usually don't need to worry about sudden mishaps or miscommunication, like you may sometimes encounter with vacation stays.
9. Concierge Assistance
Have lots of luggage? Don't worry—the hotel concierge can help bring your belongings up to your room without you needing to deal with the hassle yourself. At vacation homes, however, you'll be responsible for lugging all your bags to your door.
10. Loyalty Programs
If you're staying at a well-known chain and are a loyalty member, you might have extra perks, like redeeming your points for a free night. These are the kinds of benefits you won't be able to get if you were staying at an Airbnb.
Now that we've touched on some perks that hotels offer, what, then, makes some people choose Airbnbs? Here are 10 advantages only vacation stays offer that might just be a game-changer:
1. Privacy
People love booking vacation stays like Airbnbs because of the privacy they offer. Sure, you might have your own room at a hotel, but at an Airbnb, you have the entire home to yourself, which often includes multiple rooms, bathrooms, and a full kitchen. No sharing hallways with strangers here.
2. Personal Laundry Room
Even though you can do your laundry at a hotel, it's not as convenient as doing it in an Airbnb. After all, in the latter, you don't need to share the machines with anyone else—just you and your friends or family. You don't need to worry about anyone else potentially rummaging through your clothes, either.
3. Better for Groups & Families
If you're traveling with a large group of friends or family, it might be better to stay at an Airbnb so you're all together. Otherwise, staying on different floors in different hotel rooms (or different hotels entirely) may get in the way of your itinerary plans.
4. Home Away from Home
Vacation stays like Airbnbs are meant to feel like a home away from home. Even though you can't technically personalize it completely, you're still able to make it emulate home a little better. Hotels, on the other hand, will always make you feel like a guest.
5. Live Like a Local
Because some vacation stays are situated outside of the city center, you get to live more like a local. Sure, this might mean you need to walk farther or take the train, but you'll have a more unique experience than you would've staying at a hotel near a touristy area.
6. Full Kitchen
Enjoy cooking even when you're abroad? Hotels might not give you the space you need to make a nice home-cooked meal, but vacation homes and Airbnbs offer a full kitchen for you to do just that. Plus, less eating out means you'll save more money!
7. Long-Term Stay
Planning to stay for a month or longer? Then Airbnbs might be the better choice, since you'll often be given discounts for longer stays. This is the perfect option for students studying abroad for a semester or those traveling on an extended business trip.
8. Off-the-Beaten Path
As mentioned, some Airbnbs and vacation homes are located outside the city center, which means you'll get more chances to explore the paths that only locals know. This might lead you to some hidden gems that you otherwise wouldn't have encountered if you were staying at a hotel near busy, touristy areas.
9. Less Strict Schedules
You'll still, of course, need to check in and out at the times the host has outlined, but these schedules are usually less strict than hotels. Plus, you won't need to feel like you have to get out before housekeeping comes by to clean your room.
10. More Space to Yourself
Hotels can often be cramped, leaving you with little room to spread your luggage out or keep your things organized. Vacation stays like Airbnbs, however, give you ample space to lay out your belongings and store your clothes and shoes in their dedicated drawers and compartments.
