Online bookings have made traveling easier than ever before. With so many options, those looking to travel internationally or even just a few hours from one’s home have a plethora of options for how to do so. These include everything you need to formally plan for your trip in terms of accommodations.
While knowing that you can plan exactly what you are looking for is convenient, it can also be overwhelming to decide what that looks like with so many options. This can lead to “decision fatigue,” which can actually stop some people from wanting to travel at all. No one should need a vacation from the stress of planning a vacation.
One of the easiest ways to alleviate this potential stress is deciding whether you’d prefer to spend your vacation in a hotel or Airbnb. This should help in giving you some direction with every decision afterward. It is even possible you’ll want to do a combination of both during your trip. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of each.
Why Choose an Airbnb
When you rent an Airbnb, you can rent a shared room, a private bedroom in someone’s house, or an entire home/apartment. If you’re renting a shared or private bedroom in a home, you have the opportunity to meet and socialize with your host. If you’re traveling alone and looking to socialize or meet new people, this is a great way to do so.
Private and shared rooms are also typically very affordable and can be an easy choice when stopping somewhere for just a night or two. However, this is not the most ideal living situation when traveling as a group.
For a group or family trip, renting a whole apartment or home is usually best. Everyone can have their own private space, a living room for all to enjoy, and possibly an outdoor area as well. Another consideration is whether you need to cook your own meals. Many travelers with severe food allergies may find that having access to a kitchen at an Airbnb can make the trip a lot easier. While it can be a little more expensive, booking a private house or apartment adds a more personal aspect to the trip overall.
Why Choose a Hotel
Hotels are built with travelers in mind. This means you are more likely to have amenities at the ready, such as extra pillows and blankets, toiletries, and room service. If you need to contact customer service, you’ll most likely have an easier time getting a hold of the front desk than an Airbnb host. However, that is not to say that some Airbnb’s go above and beyond in this realm.
Another convenience of hotels is that they are often located where they believe travelers will find them to be convenient. For example, close to airports or downtown areas surrounded by restaurants and tourist attractions.