There was a time when the only lodging options you had were hotels, motels or hostels. These days, with so many rental options on the scene, like Airbnb and VRBO, your options for your next family vacation are endless! You can rent an entire house, condo, villa, a private room or a shared room (just to name a few) from just about anywhere in the world! So, what makes Airbnb & VRBO so great? Why should you choose a vacation home rental over a hotel? Read on, my friend, read on..
1. The Price
With so many options to choose from, you can find something to fit ANY budget. It’s often easy to find less expensive options when renting a place, compared to a hotel (and with a LOT more space).
If you really want to get the feel for the culture of the area (and save a ton of money) consider renting a private room. We have rented private rooms several times and have enjoyed the experience very much. It can add so much to your experience to get to know your host a little and they can tell you all the great places the locals go! I highly recommend giving it a try!
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A PRICE COMPARISON
As an example, I did a search for Boston, MA from November 15 – 17, close to Boston Common & here’s what I found:
- Courtyard by Marriott Downtown – $246/night
- Hyatt Regency Boston (City View) – $204/night
- Airbnb – Boston South End Penthouse Apartment– a cute, crisp & clean apartment – $209/night
- Airbnb – The Boiler Room at Ashmont – a nice sized, super cute & clean private room and private bath – $79/night
- NOTE: As is the case in many hotels, there may be additional fees added to the price you first see (Such a parking fee, resort fee, etc). To make sure you are not surprised, you need to read carefully through the description of the property. Owners may list extra charges there. You also want to look at “Additional prices” tab. Additional fees, such as, a cleaning fee, security deposit, etc. will be listed here. These vary greatly by property. Airbnb also adds a service fee to each rental which appears to be about 8.25%.
2. You Can Get So Much More For Your Money
First of all, you get so much more space than you do in a hotel. If you have 3 or more kids, I’m guessing you have had to struggle with trying to fit everyone in a small hotel room. Many big families have to either put a kid or two on the floor or even split up into two rooms. Also, with everyone sharing 1 room, you have to deal with different sleep & wake schedules. In an Airbnb, you can have the option of several beds and bedrooms so everyone has their space & some can stay up late or wake early without disturbing the rest of the family.
What if you want to plan a trip with your extended family or your friends and their kids? VRBO in particular has tons of big house options (like these amazing houses that sleep 25 or more!). We’ve done this many times and it’s so much fun!
PLUS, if you rent a house, condo, or townhome, you can usually expect these extras (of course, you need to look at the details of the property to be sure):
- A full kitchen, stocked with pots, pans, plates and all other cooking essentials (minus the food, of course). Cooking a few meals can really add up to significant savings. If you are in a different country, check out the local grocery store. It can be a fun cultural experience all on its own! Even if you rent a private room, you often have access to the kitchen.
- Washer & Dryer. You never know when you might need to do a load of laundry – especially if you’re traveling with kids. I’ve found that I actually prefer to wash a load or two while on a long trip so I don’t have to pack as much.
- Better outdoor options. Often, you get a patio or other outdoor seating option. Sometimes, you’ll even get a spa, hammock, fire pit, outdoor bath or other amenities!
- Stunning Views! You can also find a lot of options with amazing views (not like the “courtyard” view you pay extra for at the hotels).
3. Fun & Unique Options
We’ve all stayed in a hotel, but have you ever stayed in a windmill? Why stay in a boring hotel room when you can stay somewhere with some serious personality? It’s a great way to add more fun and adventure into your trip! If you want to stay somewhere that’s out-of-the-box, try one of these unique lodging options!
- Cabin
- Camper
- Yurt
- A Shipping Container (We stayed in this one. It is so stinking cute!)
- Tree house
- Houseboat
- Tipi
- A plane (yes, really!)
4. Some Of The Best Places, Have No Hotels
To this day, my #1 favorite place I’ve EVER been is Arnisdale, Scotland. The beauty of this place of like nothing I’ve seen anywhere else. It is also one of the most remote places I’ve ever been. This TINY village has no stores, no gas stations, and, you guessed it – NO HOTELS. We rented a private room there and our host, Andrew, was amazing! In the evening, we ended up hanging out with him, his father and his father’s friend (who were also in town). We talked, we ate, we drank…we even went on a sunset walk with them. Though this level of interaction is not necessarily the norm when renting a room (nor is it the norm at Andrew’s place), it was the best experience we could have hoped for. Check out Andrew’s place HERE. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
5. Privacy
When staying in a hotel, have you ever had trouble getting the kids to sleep while you and your husband stayed up to watch tv for a bit? Have you ever been on vacation with the kids and wished you could have a little quality time with your spouse? It’s hard to coordinate different sleep schedules and privacy when everyone is in one room. Choosing to stay in a house or apartment can give you the separation you can all appreciate.
6. Want Something REALLY Luxurious?
While you can find some great deals on Airbnb, it’s not just for the budget conscious. You can rent a $28,000,000 beach house in Malibu, rent an entire castle in Tuscany, or even rent this amazing house and private island in Belize! Now THAT is luxury!
If you’re looking for a great deal, a little more space, something a little different, or something over-the-top for your next trip, you can find it on Airbnb or VRBO! As you can see, the options and benefits of trying it out are abundant! Don’t just do what you’ve always done. Life is short – live a little! Get out of your comfort zone! Give it a try and let me know how it goes!
If you loved this, check these out!
- Large Family Vacations: A New Holiday Tradition
- Top 10 Family Friendly Vacation Homes in Dallas
- Top 10 Family Friendly Cabins In Broken Bow, OK
Until next time…
Until next time…
About The Author
Jody Phifer has been a travel blogger & travel planner since 2019. With her husband and son by her side, she takes on incredible adventures all over the world. She especially loves hiking through the mountains & soaking in breathtaking views. Jody is passionate about sharing her experiences and love of travel, by offering valuable information and inspiration! Learn more about Jody here.
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