Unsurprisingly, someone on Reddithas stirred up quite the debate—and this time, it has to do with your accommodation preferences when you're on vacation.
It was a calm morning on r/Travel when someone decided to open Pandora's box and ask the always-divisive question. "Why do you prefer a resort/villa/air bnb/hotel?" one user asked. "Finally I know I love an adults-only resort because I love being around people but not children. I feel like a villa/air bnb especially when it's just two people is too quiet. Why do you love or hate any of the above?"
Many opinionated travelers answered the call, and the thread quickly became a very useful tool for all those who somehow still have to form an opinion on the matter. Which brings us here—if you are still confused whether a hotel is better than an Airbnb or other vacation rental, then look no further. We gathered the top responses for each, and laid them out here highlighting the most popular pros and cons (according to Redditors) to help you make up your mind.
Pros and cons of hotels and resorts
Some people like hotels just because of everything they are not. According to the very top comment in the thread, hotels are better because, unlike all-inclusive resorts, there are lower chances of you eating and drinking poorly. "Nice to have the endless beers served to you at [the] pool or beach. Food whenever you want it," reads the comment referring to a past experience at an all-inclusive resort. "On the other hand, bartenders had no idea on how to mix a drink. Food always came out of the hotel kitchens very quick, so I'd assume it was all pre-made, and that's not going to be great food."
One argument against that thesis is that it really depends on the resort you're staying at, and sometimes you might just get unlucky. But another argument in favor of hotels, instead, is much stronger. "Not interested in someone else's home," reads another comment supporting the hotel choice. "Not interested in cooking on vacation." Another user pointed out that when you're staying in a hotel, you are not required to really clean up after yourself—which, at times, is outlined as an expectation of the hosts of some vacation rentals.
Plus, hotels and their staff can help you 24/7—and the more you come back, the more they reward you. "I like hotels. I basically want a place to sleep," reads another comment. "If I need anything I call the front desk. I used to travel a lot for work so there is actually some real value in hotel awards programs. [I] have gotten some free nights at some really nice properties."
Pros and cons of Airbnbs and vacation rentals
Other folks will instead defend Airbnbsand other vacation rentals at all costs.
First of all, there is the local feel an Airbnb gives you compared to a hotel. "I like Airbnbs because they feel much more real than a generic hotel," reads one comment. "I can get a whole apartment in a real neighborhood in a city [and] get a feel for what living in a different city is really like. I also like the extra space and having a kitchen to cook if I want to save money." Plus, while this isn't always true, Airbnbs tend to be "cheaper than hotel rooms of equal niceness," as one Redditor put it.
According to some Reddit users, those who had negative experiences with Airbnb simply didn't do enough research beforehand. "We spend a lot of time searching, reading reviews etc.," said one Redditor. "We just like planning and have not had a bad experience. I like having my own space and have found some nice spots in parts of cities where you can't get a hotel."
And as vacation rental supporters will have you know, Airbnbs and other vacation rentals come with many perks—including a much more laid-back and freedom-oriented lifestyle. "Depending on the rental, you have private amenities, unrestricted kitchen and refrigeration access, patio space and complete privacy in general," notes one user. "You can make noise without worry (within reason). You can cook. You don't have to share the pool. It's much more conducive to that style of laid back, private group vibe than hotels or resorts are."
So, which side are you on? Team Hotel or Team Airbnb?
Serena Tara is a Staff Writer on the News team at Thrillist. She will beg you not to put pineapple on pizza. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
FAQs
The reason why travelers choose Airbnb over hotels and rental properties is that Airbnb's typically closer to where they need to be. Approximately 30% of Millennials will likely choose Airbnb over other housing options because of this convenience factor alone.
Are hotels losing money to Airbnb? ›
The presence of Airbnb is also challenging hotel loyalty programs, leading to a 2-3% decrease in hotel revenue for every 10% increase in Airbnb market share.
Is Airbnb replacing hotels? ›
A SaaS based short-term rental platform
This translates to a staggering 39% of hotels' target market being siphoned off by the home-sharing giant. And the love for Airbnb isn't just a novelty; a recent survey reveals that 60% of those who use both platforms prefer Airbnb over hotels.
Why do people stay in Airbnb instead of hotels? ›
Staying at an Airbnb gives guests a sense of adventure that you just won't find with a hotel. Sure, decisions about where to stay can depend on cost, quality, and accommodation type, but travelers love a unique experience, too.
Is Airbnb going down in popularity? ›
Airbnb demand is expected to grow by 10.7% in 2024 thanks to economic growth and domestic travel recovery. This is considerable growth compared to 2023's 6.7% year-over-year (YOY) increase in demand. Average daily rates (ADRs) are expected to grow by about 2.1%.
Does Gen Z like Airbnb? ›
Gen Z is shaping the future of travel with its unique preferences and values. By prioritizing sustainability, wellness, unique experiences, and safety, Airbnb hosts can attract this emerging generation of travelers and ensure their listings stand out.
What is the biggest problem with Airbnb? ›
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.
Are hotels struggling because of Airbnb? ›
Research based on data from 2014 showed that in the ten US cities with the largest Airbnb market share, 1.3% fewer hotel nights were booked, resulting in a 1.5% loss in hotel revenue. Over the last five years, those losses have continued to add up.
Why is Airbnb losing customers? ›
Because there are so many more listings now, Airbnb hosts say they are watching their bookings plummet. The flood of new hosts has meant fewer can earn good money. “Now, the markets are completely oversaturated,” says Melody Wright, founder of mortgage strategy and technology company Huringa.
What are the disadvantages of Airbnb over hotels? ›
CONS OF AIRBNB
- You may not have access to the same amenities as you would at a hotel, such as a pool or fitness center.
- You may have to cook your own meals which will save you money but it will be time-consuming.
- You may have to clean the place before you leave.
Valid cancellation reasons include: Circ*mstances beyond the Host's control, such as major damage to a listing, emergency repairs (like a gas leak or a burst pipe), or serious personal illness that prevents hosting.
Why not to stay in an Airbnb? ›
Lack of safety and security regulations. Consistent standards and regulations are lacking across Airbnb rentals as they are basically private properties. Due to this hosts don't have to follow the same strict regulations that hotels do like fire, security and safety.
What's cleaner, hotels or Airbnb? ›
There is no clear-cut answer to which is cleaner, hotels or Airbnbs? As with most things in life, it depends on the specifics. Even the most luxurious hotels have incredibly germy surfaces, especially in the bathroom and other high-traffic areas – and yes, even with daily housekeeping.
Are people choosing hotels over Airbnb? ›
In recent years, there has been a significant shift in the way people choose their accommodations while traveling. Gone are the days when hotels were the default choice for travelers. Instead, a growing number of individuals are opting for Airbnb rentals over traditional resort stays.
Which is safer, Airbnb or hotel? ›
Although Airbnb and VRBO win on convenience and variety, hotels are far ahead in terms of safety offered to guests. The gap will only widen as more Airbnb and VRBO listings are provided by absentee hosts whose only concern is to make a profit and turn over their rooms quickly.
Which generation uses Airbnb the most? ›
Roughly 60% of Airbnb's user base are millennials.
What type of housing do millennials want? ›
Green Features in the Home
Millennials are enthusiastic about eco-friendly, energy-efficient homes — which may partially explain their preference for newly built homes. Not only are energy-efficient homes good for the environment, but they also offer big savings on utility costs and on new build home insurance.
What age group uses Airbnb the most? ›
According to Airbnb statistics, there are overall 48.19% of male users and 51.81% of female users around the globe. Out of these, 17.53% of users are from the age group of 18 years to 24 years. There are 30.41% of total users from the age group of 25 years to 34 years being the highest of all.
Who are the target audience of Airbnb? ›
Airbnb's target market includes regular travelers with a budget crunch, families looking for unique experiences, and business travelers.
