It's the dreaded question that creates, next to politics one of the biggest debates on social media and online forums. There are those that oppose the very principle of Airbnb and those who swear by them.
The first thing we all need to get correct is that they are NOT Airbnb's they are in fact Short-Term Rentals (STR's). Calling accommodation an Airbnb is like calling all tissues Kleenex. Airbnb is just one branded platform for booking Short-Term Rentals.
I believe the perfect trip is actually a combination of Hotels, Short-Term Rentals and Apartments. They all offer different benefits that can help maximise your time. Do I sound like I'm sitting on the fence? Not really here's why.
We travelled in Europe with a combination of different types of accommodation to suit our needs and timing. I think most people would have a fundamental understanding of the difference between a Hotel and a Short-Term Rental. Short-Term Rentals can offer greater space, washing and kitchen facilities which is great for longer stays and Hotels offer greater service such as room service, concierge, on-site staff and food and beverage facilities.
"Consider your schedule before you book the type of accommodation"
My advice is to consider your schedule before you book accommodation. Think about how long you'll be at the destination and how much time you'll need to visit the attractions you want to see. For example, we travelled from Paris to Amsterdam by train with a 2-night stopover in Bruges, Belgium. We chose to stay in a 4-star Hotel in the centre of Bruges because our arrival time by train was 10 am. It's rare you'll get an early check-in with STR's and on this occasion, even the hotel couldn't check us in as early as 10 am, but what they could do, is secure our luggage safely at the hotel that enabled us to spend the whole day visiting the beautiful sights of this medieval town. We returned to check-in to the Hotel at about 6 pm, which gave us a full day to explore which was far better than sitting on luggage until the 2 pm check-in time. A quick shower and change after check-in and we were out again for dinner. This was our Hotel in Bruges HERE we booked direct.
On the other hand, arriving in Venice for 4 nights we knew we would be badly in need of a washing machine and a few normal breakfasts, both to save money and reduce the waistline. When we look for a STR we look not only at the rooms, bathrooms and kitchen facilities, but we also look for a property with a bit of charm and character that you can often find with STR's. Something that's a little unique like a country farmhouse, a beach cottage or an apartment in an area rich in culture and history. You can read about our 14th Century Venice apartment HERE booked on Airbnb.
After Venice, it was again a 2-night stopover in Florence before 5 nights in Rome. Again, we utilised the benefit of a staffed hotel in Florence to maximise our free time. On this occasion, the property allowed us to check-in at 12 pm straight after our arrival by train. We then timed our train from Florence to Rome to ensure we arrived later in the day as the STR apartment in Rome could not be accessed any earlier. You can read about our Rome Experience and Apartment HERE booked via Booking.com
So, the answer is truly all about timing and needs. Service against facilities. Having the ability to maximise your time for the real reason you are at the destination in the first place, remember it's not the accommodation that's the destination.
There is although a third option very few people discuss in the Hotel v Airbnb debate, and that's a property that is effectively a combination of a Short-Term Rental and a Hotel. A Serviced Apartment is another great option. Usually, Serviced Apartments will be owned by individual investors in an apartment building but the properties are managed by Hotel companies. Most likely you'll get a reception desk to check in, cleaners will make up your room daily and replenish towels. They tend to not offer extensive food and beverage facilities of hotels but may have a small coffee shop leased out to a third party. Just like any accommodation, the facilities vary considerably. For us, it was our final leg back to Australia, a stopover for 5 nights in Dubai to unwind. We still wanted the ability to make our own breakfast, wash our clothes, a pool to relax by and a reception that could assist us with booking some activities. You can read about Dubai Experience and Serviced Apartment HERE.
So the answer on this occasion will always relate to your schedule and needs. Think about how short 2 nights can be at a destination. Can your accommodation help maximise your time? Are you arriving in the late afternoon and then checking out before 10 am on day 2? That's really just one full day. How can you better manage your time at these destinations? Think about your scheduled arrival times when it comes to Hotels and Short-Term Rentals. There's nothing worse in my opinion than getting to a destination early, having to wait till 2-3 pm with your luggage to check-in. Think about how you can quickly arrange an early breakfast in a Short Term Rental kitchen that may mean you can get that earlier bus, ferry or tour. Can you save time doing laundry overnight at a Short-Term Rental or are you happy to track down a laundromat and wait? Think about how a Hotel can securely store your luggage before check-in or after you check-out to give you that extra time to enjoy the destination.
About the Author
The author of this blog, unless otherwise noted has no affiliation with any property or business linked in the article. Unless otherwise noted, there is no free accommodation or payment from any businesses mentioned in this blog. The information contained in this blog is strictly the views of the author and not professional advice. The author of this BookDirect blog is a travel and tourism professional with 30 years of experience in International Hotel management, global travel, short-term rental management, regional tourism boards and a chairman of regional tourism awards focusing on accommodation.
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