5 Reasons that Hotels (not Airbnbs) are a Better Choice for You
- njheck962
- Feb 4, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 7, 2023
Yes, home stays are great....except when they're not.
Open any Reddit feed on Airbnb horror stories and you'll be flooded with them. Some that we experienced firsthand:
We once stayed with our toddler in a poorly soundproofed apartment in Paris. Long story short: we ended up buying the neighbors flowers to apologize for "the noise of our footsteps." It turns out that and the Airbnb owner were constantly at odds and he complained about every guest. This was obviously NOT posted under "Amenities" on the listing.
We almost snagged an unbelievable deal on a VRBO in Paris....or at least it looked like VRBO. The "real" listing on VRBO took us to a twin page that looked exactly like the real deal, complete with photos, reviews, maps, etc. It wasn't until I clicked on the nonfunctional FAQ and About Us pages that I realized the scam. (VRBO, of course, said it was not their problem.)
We once arrived at an Airbnb to realize it did not have the crib that was promised. This wouldn't have been a problem had it not been almost bedtime when we arrived. The host graciously ran out to buy one and brought it over, but the process took almost two hours. Babies are not patient, so that wasn't fun.
We once left an Airbnb in Greece and received negative reviews. Why? The host was upset with us about some stains. The problem was that they were left by a previous guest. We resolved the issue (after many texts) but the negative review stayed on our account and has, on one occasion, caused us to be denied by a host. I have tried many times to get Airbnb to remove the review, but they refuse to get involved in any disputes.
On a work trip, one host gave Nate a bad review because he cleaned up, left everything in good order, and loaded the dishwasher...but forgot to start it.
If these stories leave you saying, "I told you so!" then you might be a hotel person.
Here are a few reasons that might be the case:
1. Social Anxiety
Those "horror story" moments were torture for me. For Nate, not so much.
He lives very much in the moment and didn't lose sleep over the possible effect of a bad review (which I saw coming), the soundproofing of apartments (which I always worry about), or the reality of the listing (which I always question).
If you're socially anxious (or an Enneagram 6), these things may tip the scales toward hotels. Even if you are anxious, home stays can be great. You just have to assess whether you can handle the unknowns that come with person-to-person rentals.
2. No Need for a Kitchen
If you plan to eat out, then the draw of a full kitchen is irrelevant. Stick with hotels.
3. Free breakfast
Nate LOVES breakfast. Sometimes I think he goes to sleep just so he can wake up and have breakfast again.
And my kids are obsessed with the idea of free breakfast, even though I tell them again and again: "YOU'RE KIDS! EVERYTHING IS FREE!"
On occasion, the draw of a free breakfast buffet is too much to deny. The craving seems to hit especially hard anywhere there's an omelette station. 🤷♀️
If you will be hangry having to get up and search the neighborhood for your coffee and croissant, then hotels might be a better bet.
NOTE: I use the term "free" loosely here. With the advent of a la carte travel, there is a price tag attached to that free breakfast, which kinda takes the fun out of it.
4. Towel Service
If you're the type who never puts out the "NOT TODAY" sign for housekeeping or who always leaves their towels on the floor for replacement, hotels might be your jam.
I love housekeeping but it makes me feel indulgent and bourgeoise, so I don't often use it everyday. Since that service is obviously built into the cost, it's a bit of a waste for me.
5. Travel Recommendations on Demand
Airbnb hosts are great for recommendations, but they are often not onsite to draw red-markered paths on your city map or get you reservations at the local hotspot on short notice. If 24-hour help is necessary (perhaps because of language barriers or safety concerns), you should probably opt for hotels.
Hopefully this makes your decision on where to stay a little easier. Either option will be fine, but here's hoping you find the exact right fit for you and your crew!
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