AirBnb or a hotel? It’s become one of the first questions people ask themselves before planning a trip. When AirBnb first came onto the scene, many people had trouble getting their heads around the concept.

“Hang on, let me get this straight – I can stay at someone’s house? And they don’t mind?”

This can be loosely translated as “And they trust someone like me?”

But it worked.

Plenty of people ticked off on it, all over the globe, either as guests or hosts. As a traveler, it offered an exciting new option – to live like a local. More often than not, AirBnb venues were at least as comfortable as hotels, and more spacious.

They had more facilities such as cable TV, washing machines bikes and surfboards, and were located where you wanted to be located.

Some of the world’s best AirBnb locations are in truly unique locations, that take you well off the beaten track.

Hotels scoffed at first, then the scoffs turned into nervous laughter and eventually a sickening kind of feeling in the stomach. People were poo-pooing the same old thing being served up at hotels and opting for more authentic experiences.

Then a pesky pandemic came along, and travel came to a grinding halt. Everyone took a whack – hotels, Airbnb and airlines, although it was hard to feel too sorry for the latter.

But travel is back, and people are planning getaways again, both at home and overseas. This time, most of us have literally had years to think about it, so the destinations are well and truly decided.

And again, many are asking – which is better? Airbnb or hotels?

It basically comes down to what kind of trip you’ve got planned.

Who are you going with? For how long? What do you want to do?

Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of each.

HOTELS – the pros

Service

Deep down, everyone loves to feel special. Pampered, even. And hotels are the places for it. No need to worry about cleaning up after you and plenty of staff to cater to your needs.

Whether it’s borrowing a swimsuit for the pool or getting directions to the shopping district, someone is there to help. If you arrive a few hours early, there’ll be someone to take your luggage.

We go to hotels because we don’t have to think or care. Someone else will deal with it. Can’t find a restaurant? Ask the front desk. Pillow a little lumpy? Ask the front desk. Locked out of your room with no pants on and maybe not even your hotel? Etc.

Convenience

Hotels have it all. Your toiletries are there, with towels and gowns ready to be stuffed into suitcases before departure. There are elevators, air-conditioned rooms and most likely, a café, restaurant and/or bar.

Families might appreciate a pool if there is one, jaded adult travelers might want to let off steam in a gym. Not essential to your trip, but sometimes it’s nice to know these kinds of facilities are there.

Arguably the most useful perk is getting to and from the hotel. Most decent hotels have airport shuttle buses, free of charge. This is a massive weight off the shoulders for any traveler.

HOTELS – the cons

Same old, same old

One thing you can depend on is that most hotels are very similar. And in there can be a problem, for if you’ve stayed in one, you’ve pretty much stayed in them all.

You check in and you go to your room – just like all the other guests. Your room will be fitted out nicely, with the usual trimmings. Sure, the views will differ, as may the facilities, but a hotel room feels like a hotel room.

Of course, this is exactly why many people love hotels, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Limited perks

Hotels are fairly limited in what they can actually offer their guests. If you want to do any laundry, you’re better off waiting and if you want to eat or drink something, you’d best leave the hotel.

Some rooms may have YouTube or a cable network, but you’ll most likely have to pay extra. Of course, you didn’t go away to stare at a screen, but it’s a fun way to unwind and nice to have options.

Hotels are also typically situated away from shopping centers. If you want to duck out to a supermarket or something, it could be a hike.

AirBnb – the pros

Live like a local

From the word go, this was AirBnb’s biggest selling point. Not only were the places often cheaper, but they were situated in real neighborhoods, surrounded by real, living, breathing locals.

This is still one of the best things about AirBnb. You can get a sense of what it’s like to live in an area, simply by walking around to the local shops, bars or cafés. You get to see how the local people live, where they eat and what they like to do.

If you get chatting with some, it can really add to the travel experience, making it feel as if you did something different this time.

More perks

In a hotel, you pretty much get a bed, TV and shower. And for many, that’s all they need as they’re spending the bulk of their time out of the hotel.

However, you might want to cook something, instead of eating out every night. It might not be Duck Pâté en Croûte, just some pasta or a stir fry. Your AirBnb has the kitchen in which to do it.

Others might want to watch Netflix or even the local TV channels to get a feel for the place. Your AirBnb should have it.

Other perks such as washing machines and dryers can also be a big plus. The really good hosts might have bikes and a few surfboards to fool around on.

These bonuses are really handy for longer and unstructured trips , however they make a difference no matter how long you’re in town for.

AirBnb – the cons

Don’t jump on the beds!

One of the first thing most kids (and adults) do when they check into their hotel room is jump up and down on the beds – not my bed, not my money…

In AirBnb Land however, you do have to be careful not to break or spill anything, as it could cost you. It’s not just the youngsters running around and knocking over a Ming Dynasty vase. Many adults are perfectly capable of breaking a toilet or expensive washing machine, with or without 3 liters of wine beforehand.

It’s this care factor, plus cleaning fees that can take a little of the shine off the stay.

Getting there

One of the great things about AirBnb locations is that they’re often smack bang in the middle of a neighborhood. This can occasionally be tricky though, as it’s up to us to figure out how to get there.

They can often be a fair distance from a bus stop or station, meaning we usually need an Uber or taxi.

This isn’t too much of a drama though, although if you’re traveling with kids who are fading fast, you want to be 100% sure of how to get there beforehand.

Overall?

Price used to be a factor, as AirBnb’s were significantly cheaper than hotels initially, however things have evened up. Many hotels have readjusted their prices, while AirBnb owners have checked their bank balances and like what they see, raising the fees.

So, AirBnb or hotel? It really comes down to you and what kind of traveler you are. The more adventurous types who want to get a more genuine experience will still get a lot out of an AirBnb stay.

For those who want as little responsibility as possible, hotels are still the way to go.

If you’re looking at staying somewhere for longer than a week though, the facilities and extra space that come with AirBnbs are hard to ignore.

Let’s be honest – it’s a nice problem to have.