Hotel vs. Airbnbs

Occasionally, we get a request from clients inquiring about an Airbnb. While we do have access to many villa and condo vacation rentals, we do not accept Airbnb requests mainly because of the famous Forest Gump saying, “It is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get.”

​It is certainly true that you may be able to save money on these accommodations, but are you willing to be disappointed upon arrival? Do you really want to make up your own bed on vacation?

My top ten reasons to book hotels rather than Airbnbs:
1- Concierge services! This is my number one reason because a concierge at a hotel can give you directions, recommend and reserve dinner reservations, provide you with converters and adapters for your necessary electrical belongings, make excursion reservations, be your friendly advisor on the area. Most concierges are required to be able to speak English.
2- Hotels have all amenities at hand.... Hairdryers, shampoo, soap, cream, extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc., which saves room in suitcases and prevents problems going through airport security.
3- Bed and linen service. Need I say more? Who loves having to make up a bed on vacation and washing sheets and towels? According to your accommodations, you may even have nightly turndown service with a nice mint on your pillow!
4- Hotels are usually situated in the perfect locations for sightseeing, business meetings, and restaurants and bars.
5- Hotels are better when traveling with children! Whether it is a kid’s club, a crib setup upon arrival, extra sheets needed early in the morning, babysitting services, special tv programming and blocking, extra band-aides at the front desk, tram from the theme park for those mid-day naps, etc., you always have everything needed at your fingertips!
6- Access to landline phones can come in handy. The concierge is just a phone call away or if you forgot your toothbrush- just call the front desk and it appears at your door in minutes! Local phone calls are usually free as well. Hotels provide WIFI service! Some Airbnbs do not have WIFI. According to your class of hotel- the WIFI may be complimentary.
7- If you are a people person you just can’t beat the lobbies of some well-known hotels such as the Ritz, the St. Regis, Fairmont, etc. It is so much fun to sip a glass of wine while people watching in the late afternoon! It is also a great way for networking if you are on business travel!
8- Most hotels have a restaurant and/or bar either next door or within the hotel itself. It is nice to be able to walk downstairs to a nice breakfast, or to a nice cocktail and dinner without having to grab a taxi or Uber to go somewhere.
9- ROOM SERVICE! How wonderful is it that you may be able to order a midnight pizza or
breakfast in bed?
10- Lastly, and extremely important: With today’s constant rating services, you know ahead of time what type of place you are checking in to. You have access to many reviews of people that have stayed there and know which ones to avoid. There are few surprises. Hotels are striving to be their best now than ever before because of these rating’s cites.
There are a few pros with Airbnbs. If you have a large group that would like to stay together this may be a more affordable, good option for you. Some Airbnbs are large houses. This would be good for very good friends that don’t mind sharing common space or large families. Personally, I would only be willing to rent it if the owners were not staying up or downstairs, or on property with you, as that is strange to me. I would also still try to find good reviews from previous renters.