Booking holiday accommodation: Hotel, Villa, or AirBnB - Laugh Travel Eat (2024)

Choosing accommodation for your holiday in this day and age is not that easy. Not only do you have a million hotel booking websites, there are also villas, holiday homes, and AirBnBs threw in the mix.

There are no right choices here, only the best choice for the occasion. There are a plethora of factors that would affect which one is better suited, and here are the top threes:

Contents

Where you are going

Different destinations have different things to offer. Everyone going to Bali or Koh Samui is dreaming of a villa, but if you are headed to Hanoi or Bangkok a hotel won’t break your bank and are super nice. In Europe, Airbnb tends to be cheaper and cozier than hotels or if you are headed up to the mountains or a quiet getaway. These are a generalisation, but very much true.

There are several places where AirBnB aren’t the best ideas like Japan is making it illegal.

Who you are traveling with

What is this holiday/vacation about?

I’m going to repeat myself a little here, but for romance and gathering, villas are definitely the way to go, or a big AirBnB. Unless the people you travel with are picky, then you should consider a hotel or a villa with good service.

Villas

There are a lot of portals that book villas, you can even get them on Airbnb for example. But most of them are a hit or miss. The one I stayed at in Canggu in Bali through AirBnB was beautiful, but the outdoor furniture were filthy and there was co*ckroaches. Not ideal.

I was delighted to find out about Villa-Finder, a great platform with a curated list of villas in Bali, Koh Samui, phu*ket, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius. They personally vet and liaise with the owners and connect with a fleet of services to provide for you during the stay. You would also be paying directly to the service provider as Villa-Finder arrange it for you free of charge! They are eco friendly, too, planting a tree for each stay through ReforestAction and Yagasu.

How it works:

  • Inquire about a villa of your choice and leave a preferred method of contact (phone/email).
  • A staff will reach out with a questionnaire to help facilitate your stay e.g. Airport pick up, BBQ facilities, massages.
  • Enjoy your stay and contact the staff if you require more services!

Search for a stunning villa on Villa-Finder

P.S. They also refund any price difference found online!

AirBnBs

I’ve stayed at some stunning Airbnb and crappy ones in my life. From a crazy beautiful apartment in Zadar Croatia for 8 girls to a matchbox ant-infested apartment in Lipari, Sicily, I’ve got some tips for you:

  • Read all about check in and check out rules. If you are carrying large luggage and arriving early or late, it can be difficult to find storage if you have a rigid check-in system at your AirBnB. If you want to be able to leave luggage, then you’d have to sieve through the listing or find a storage locker nearby.
  • Accessibility – some don’t have lifts or requires some intricate instruction to enter or find and it can be unclear at times. So watch out for any information on that! It’s usually reflected by travelers who have stayed there. I’ve found a beautiful apartment but the doors are thumbprint access only, which means you need to wait to get in and out.
  • Cleanliness – not guarantee in AirBnB listings, so it’s best to read the reviews thoroughly before you commit to booking it. It’s really a mixed bag as I’ve stayed at sparkling clean places but also dusty apartments. You also won’t have make up service or toiletries most of the time.
  • Apartment and country laws – some countries or apartments have specific rules on day/week rentals. For example, you might get asked to have your passport photocopied staying in an AirBnB in Bangkok, so it could be troublesome if you are not aware or don’t speak the language to communicate.

Get 30 USD off if you are new to Airbnb!

Hotels

Hotels are the usual safe choice, but which website to book them on and how do you choose the right one? I usually end up using bookings.com or hotels.com, because of the discount and loyalty program. Agoda and Expedia are both popular, too, as is Trip.com that offers packages and good discounts.

Whenever I book a hotel, I tend to use Bookings.com because of the free cancelation function in case of last minutes changes. More often than not, I end up staying through them because rooms run out closer to the time. Generally, I find a lot of deals ends up being similar in price once whatever ‘fees’ are added in. However, if you are unlikely to change your itinerary then booking the cheapest platform would make sense.

A few notes on booking hotels:

  • Always check their reviews on both the booking website and TripAdvisor to get a clear idea
  • I usually turn the rating filter of at least 8/10 on, as well as for air con and WiFi
  • Check other traveller’s photos, as more often than not hotel listing uses flattering angles

Note: the post is sponsored by Villa-Finder but all opinions are my own

Nam Cheah

Hi, my name is Nam. I am 24 and spent half my life in Hong Kong and the other half in UK. I believe there's endless experience and beauty in the world and this is me chronicling how to experience the best at the best price.

Booking holiday accommodation: Hotel, Villa, or AirBnB - Laugh Travel Eat (2024)

FAQs

Is Airbnb cheaper then hotel? ›

Airbnbs are usually cheaper than hotels for longer stays and large groups, but they don't offer the same services. Sally French is a travel rewards expert who joined NerdWallet in 2020. She previously wrote about travel and credit cards for The New York Times and its sibling site, Wirecutter.

How do I choose a holiday hotel? ›

10 Things to Consider When Choosing the Perfect Hotel
  1. Location. Location is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a hotel. ...
  2. Facilities and services. ...
  3. Price. ...
  4. Size and type of hotel. ...
  5. Hotel policies. ...
  6. Transportation access. ...
  7. Dining. ...
  8. Sports facilities.

What is the difference between Airbnb and lodging? ›

Hotels are a far more traditional concept, with guest rooms and occasional suites. Airbnbs, on the other hand, typically offer residential-style amenities like living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, laundry facilities and, in some locations, a private place to park your car.

Is Airbnb a hotel or motel? ›

Whatever the type of accommodation, guests who book via the website refer to it as 'an Airbnb' rather than a room, apartment or vacation rental. But these days, an Airbnb can be anything from a hotel, to a quaint B&B, to a treehouse, to a tent, to an igloo, to a church, the list goes on…

What are the disadvantages of Airbnb over hotels? ›

Airbnb
ProsCons
Airbnbs are generally cheaper than hotel rooms (based on nightly rates)The quality of each listing can be inconsistent
Guests can experience living like a local and sometimes have the option of getting to know the hostLittle to no guest services available
1 more row
Nov 28, 2023

Do people prefer Airbnb over hotel? ›

In a recent survey, 83% of travelers said they like staying in hotels, and 64% said they like home rentals. Hotels generally have more consistent quality, more amenities, and better locations. Home rentals are often more affordable and more spacious, so they work well for large groups.

What is the best way to book holidays? ›

With sites like booking.com, Trivago, and skyscanner, you can easily compare prices for accommodations and flights. Kayak and Momondo also offer deals from other websites. Independent travel is often the only way to access the best offers from budget airlines and holiday providers.

Which company is best for all-inclusive holidays? ›

Jet2 and Kuoni received a customer satisfaction score of 84 per cent, while Trailfinders scored 82 per cent, Ingham's 81 and Hays Travel 80 per cent. Virgin Holidays was sixth on the list, also scoring 80 per cent, while British Airways Holidays was 13th, scoring 75 per cent.

When should I book a hotel for holidays? ›

Figuring out the best time to book a hotel isn't an exact science — there's plenty of variation throughout the industry. But if we're looking at statistics, the lowest prices for hotel rooms are typically found just 15 days before your stay. Yes, last-minute bookings are (usually) better.

Are Airbnbs cleaner than hotels? ›

"With Airbnb's new Enhanced Cleaning Initiative, the company provides a better option than public hotel spaces. Airbnb homes are more private, so there is a lesser chance of being exposed to the coronavirus." Dr.

Is a hotel safer than Airbnb? ›

The conventional hotel has a range of security features not commonly found in the average Airbnb rental. This includes continuous monitoring by security personnel, the presence of surveillance cameras and the availability of secure in-room lock boxes to protect your valuables.

Why rent Airbnb instead of hotel? ›

In many cases, prospective consumers find that Airbnb offers a less expensive alternative to many hotels. An average hotel room offers consumers a bed, bathroom, and closet with varying levels of comfort. Alternatively, an average apartment offers the same luxuries plus a kitchen and a larger living space.

What is cheaper, a hotel or Airbnb? ›

The average Airbnb for six was 33% cheaper than booking three hotel rooms, but the average hotel room was 29% cheaper than booking an Airbnb for two, Nerdwallet found. Here for a short stay? Home rentals typically cost more for short stays, due to cleaning fees and lack of multiday-stay discounts.

What is the best Airbnb or hotel? ›

Long vs Short Stays: Is an Airbnb or Hotel Better? For longer stays of one week or more, I find that Airbnb and short-term rentals are a better fit. For short stays, a hotel is almost always a better choice. This is mostly because most Airbnb and short-term rentals charge a cleaning fee.

Are cleaning fees included on Airbnb? ›

A cleaning fee is a one-off charge for cleaning the space you stay in and is set by the Host. It's an extra amount on top of the nightly rate when you book a listing. This fee covers the extra expenses Hosts incur when getting their place ready for guests to arrive or after they leave.

Is it cheaper to book an Airbnb for a week? ›

Book longer stays. Many listings offer significant discounts for stays of a week or more. Look for static-priced properties to find good deals during peak periods. Choose a new listing.

What is cheaper, Airbnb or booking? ›

Big reasons are price - Booking is generally lower and you see the total price up front unlike AirBNB and cancelation polcies - every Booking res allows cancellation up to a few days before arrival while almost none of the AirBNB ones do.

Are Airbnb still worth it? ›

The profitability of Airbnb rentals depends on various factors such as location, property type, market demand, pricing strategy, and operating costs. In some areas and circ*mstances, Airbnb rentals can be profitable, while in others, they may not be as lucrative.

Are AirBNBs cleaner than hotels? ›

"With Airbnb's new Enhanced Cleaning Initiative, the company provides a better option than public hotel spaces. Airbnb homes are more private, so there is a lesser chance of being exposed to the coronavirus." Dr.

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