The advent of personal home (or pool!) rentals has exploded in recent years, and in my opinion, it's one of the most significant changes to the travel industry in a very long time. Short-term home rental companies like Airbnb have been around for more than two decades, but their popularity increased drastically during and post-pandemic. The ability to book a less crowded space than a traditional hotel has become quite desirable in the last few years for obvious reasons, but the pluses of going the rental route go well beyond seclusion. That being said, there are certainly still many valid reasons to choose a more traditional hotel stay. Let's take a closer look at both options below.
Private home/apartment/villa rentals
If you are someone who likes to travel but gets nervous about being outside of your comfort zone, a rental stay may be for you as it will more closely resemble the feeling of "being at home." You might be thinking, "But why would I be travelling if I want to feel like I'm at home?" Good question! When I say "being at home," I'm mainly talking about the convenience factor of a rental. You'll likely have a kitchen, so you can stock up on food, coffee, snacks, etc. This will save you a lot of money versus having to venture out and purchase everything on the fly. You can also find rentals that have laundry onsite. While no one wants to think about doing laundry while on vacation, it's super convenient and will allow you to pack fewer clothes (meaning more luggage space for souvenirs to bring home!). I also like to do a load of laundry on our last night away; there is nothing more depressing than coming home from a trip to a mountain of dirty clothes.
If you are travelling with kids, I highly recommend a rental solely for the two reasons (food and laundry!) mentioned above.
If you are planning on having a car with you on your travels, a rental option is also good because you can find accommodations with parking nearby or onsite. This can save you a lot of money versus having to pay a per-day parking fee at a hotel. I also really like not having to worry about navigating street parking and meters in an unfamiliar place.
Want to bring Fido along? No problem. Many rentals allow for pets. (Just be careful about additional fees for potential damage; pet-friendly rentals often include steep pet fees.)
A rental also gives you the chance to really live like a local, which can add a tremendous amount of meaning to your trip. If you live in the US, though, keep in mind that many homes in other countries do not have A/C or laundry dryers. If those are two things that are important to you, be sure to include them in your search criteria.
Hotels/motels/timeshares
Hotels offer a much more traditional travel experience versus going the rental route. One of the major benefits of staying in a hotel is that you'll have concierge service at your fingertips 24/7. While the vast majority of rental owners (the highly rated ones, anyway!) are quick to respond to queries, it's still not the same as being ably to simply pop down to the registration desk to ask for restaurant recommendations or directions. This can be comforting if you are travelling in a very unfamiliar place.
Major hotels also tend to be centrally located, which isn't often the case with rentals. If you only have a few days to sightsee, a hotel might be the way to go because you'll more easily be able to get around.
In a recent blog post about jet lag, I talked about ways to handle an early arrival after an overnight flight. Hotels are much more likely to allow you to drop off your luggage so you can start sightseeing while you wait for your room to be available. There will also be some sort of reception area or lobby where you can rest until check-in time. Many rentals simply don't have anyone on site who can let you in early or watch over your luggage.
If a pool is an important part of your trip planning, you're much more likely to find them in hotels versus rentals. Home rentals with pools tend to be more expensive, of course.
Another benefit of a hotel versus a rental is that, well, you're not in someone's home! I love rentals, but I do always feel a bit like I can't totally relax in someone else's space. Keep in mind too that while many rentals are full-time rentals, lots are not - meaning, the owners might also spend a considerable amount of time there. In rentals I do find myself a bit on edge about my kids or my dog breaking something. You might miss regular housekeeping services in a rental!
Rentals also usually include a to-do list upon departure, and some can be quite extensive (run loads of sheets and towels, empty the dishwasher, etc.). It is kind of a bummer to have to do a list of chores when you're already sad about reaching the end of your vacation. In hotels, you simply close the door behind you.
So, which one to choose?
It really depends on what type of trip you're taking. For me personally, at this stage of my life when I'm travelling with young kids, rentals are far more desirable for all of the reasons listed above. If my husband and I are travelling solo, I might feel differently. I've also chosen a hotel over a rental if I am, for whatever reason, a bit concerned about safety in a particular place.
Cost is another thing to keep in mind. Remember that it's not just about the cost of the accommodation itself. Are you paying more for a rental on the surface but saving a lot in food and parking costs? Are you going to need two or more hotel rooms versus finding a place that is large enough to accommodate your whole party?
Do you want more of an immersion feel, or do you prefer familiarity? All of these factors come into play when choosing your accommodations.
Whatever you choose, be sure to pick a place with lots of good reviews and a responsive staff or owner.
