Is it better to stay at Airbnb or hotel when traveling?

If you're looking for a more unique or extended stay with more facilities, Airbnb will give you plenty more attractive options than most hotel chains. However, hotels are a safer bet when it comes to quality and the ability to save money in the long run. The final call is up to you and what you want out of your stay.



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For Airbnb fans, having space for a family and pets when traveling was a big reason they remain loyal to short-term rentals over hotels. Nearly 90 percent of Airbnb listings have kitchens, according to Randall, and that along with the immersive experience of “traveling like a local” keeps guests booked.

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The biggest benefit of staying at an Airbnb is the amount of space. You can rent an entire house to yourself! It's much more enjoyable to hang out in a dedicated living room than on the bed you'll be sleeping on in a hotel room. And of course, this makes it easy to stay with or host more people.

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CON: Airbnbs are no longer the cheaper option. Not only have the actual rental prices gone up, but the added fees are killer. Between service fees (paid to Airbnb), cleaning fees (set by the owner), and local occupancy taxes and fees, the price of your rental can almost double from what is listed as the nightly rate.

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Short-term rentals disrupt the quality of life in local residential neighborhoods. They essentially destroy what you are looking to find on a vacation “local culture”. And that is why cities are so concerned about the Airbnb. Most owners are absentee landlords, leaving you to fend for yourself.

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Airbnbs are usually cheaper than hotels for longer stays and large groups, but they don't offer the same services. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.

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Safety measures to protect hosts Safety issues can happen at any form of lodging, and Airbnb is generally considered safe. Just be aware that problems can arise, so be aware of scams, unethical practices and physical issues with properties.

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Airbnb prohibits security cameras or recording devices that are in or that observe private spaces like bedrooms, bathrooms, or sleeping areas.

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It May Be More Lucrative Than Traditional Renting A solidly booked Airbnb rental may be more profitable than renting the same property to a long-term single tenant. That's because you're usually able to charge more on a nightly basis.

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Moreover, friendly host-customer interaction and homey atmosphere determine the highly-rated Airbnb listings, while pleasurable communication with hosts, convenient location, and reliable amenities are the features of high-priced Airbnb listings.

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Airbnbs provide guests with access to full kitchens, larger living spaces, and a unique experience. Often, these rentals come at a much cheaper cost than similar services provided by the hotel industry. Perhaps because of the price and experience, millennials favor Airbnbs over hotels.

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While Airbnb is a safe option for accommodation when traveling, there are plenty of things you can do to further protect yourself as you explore. Never give your personal contact information to a host or pay outside of the platform. Always pay and communicate through the Airbnb website or app.

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Safety tips for choosing a place
  • Finding what's right for you.
  • Read the ratings and reviews.
  • Review the safety features.
  • Get your questions answered.
  • Always communicate and pay on Airbnb.
  • Do a safety check.
  • Research local travel alerts and warnings.
  • We're here to help.


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The cleaning costs for Airbnb hosts are often higher than those for hotels because they likely can't take advantage of economies of scale. For example, hotels have commercial-size laundry machines. Plus, listings are typically spread out geographically, so there's the inefficiency of traveling miles between properties.

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Even while Airbnb enjoys strong bookings, its been plagued with complaints about the steep cleaning fees customers now pay, which have resulted in booking prices being almost as expensive, if not more expensive than a hotel stay.

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A 2021 study of more than 125,000 Airbnb complaints on Twitter found that 72% of the issues were related to poor customer service and 22% were related to scams.

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Cleaning Regulations and Guidelines for Airbnbs Unlike a hotel room, Airbnbs are not usually cleaned daily. In many ways, it's up to you as the host to decide how cleaning tasks will get done during a guest's stay. Some hosts provide guests with cleaning products for everyday spills and messes.

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