You’re planning your next trip. You’ve chosen your destination. Your flights are booked. Now, to choose where to stay. But here’s where you’re stumped. You’ve stayed in hotels and vacation rentals before; some experiences were better than others. How do you choose what’s right for this trip?
In a recent TripIt survey, nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents said they prefer staying in a hotel versus a vacation rental. Travelers said they prefer hotels for their loyalty program perks (such as complimentary upgrades), consistent experiences, easy check-in and check-out, fewer fees (e.g., cleaning), baggage storage, and convenience for a quick weekend or business trip.
But more than a quarter of travelers preferred vacation rentals. Those travelers said they enjoy the added comfort, privacy, space, amenities, ability to cook meals, unique locations, and value for extended and group trips.
Naturally, both sides shared some gripes, as well. Some feel hotels continue to raise prices while cutting amenities; others report hotels aren’t meeting their expectations for cleanliness. Meanwhile, some travelers think vacation rentals are getting too expensive due to auxiliary fees and too cumbersome thanks to check-out responsibilities (once again, cleaning). In some destinations, short-term rentals are negatively impacting local housing markets—and travelers want to be mindful of the role they play in that.
Undoubtedly, there are pros and cons to each accommodation type. So, how do you decide which is better for your trip? Keep reading for some considerations to help you choose.
If you’re planning a solo trip…
Safety should always be a top priority when you’re traveling, but especially when you’re traveling solo. So when it comes to choosing your accommodations, consider which type will make you feel the safest. Will the round-the-clock availability of hotel staff give you a sense of security? Or would you rather a vacation rental where you can steer clear of highly trafficked tourist attractions (that is, spots more often prone to pickpocketing or scams)?
Some travelers may prefer to mix in with locals, while others rely on the amenities of an accommodation purpose-built for travelers. No matter your preference, weigh the pros and cons before you book. And, always check the level of safety of the neighborhood where you’re staying so you can make informed decisions on your trip—like whether you feel comfortable walking home at night, or feel safer taking a taxi instead.
Tip: TripIt’s Neighborhood Safety Scores will show you the daytime and nighttime safety for the neighborhoods you’re visiting. You can access hyperlocal safety ratings for myriad categories along any point within your TripIt itinerary for more than 65,000 cities and neighborhoods, including scores for overall safety, health and medical, physical harm, women’s safety, political freedoms, theft, and LGBTQ safety.
If you’re planning a group trip…
Whether it’s a bachelor or bachelorette party weekend, family reunion trip, couples’ getaway, or multi-generation vacation, a group trip means multiple rooms to accommodate everyone’s sleeping arrangements. According to survey respondents, vacation rentals are—hands down—the way to go for this type of trip.
Let’s consider the multi-generation vacation: In a vacation rental, grandparents can have one room, parents another, while kids slumber party in their own space—and everyone gets a good night’s sleep. You can also enjoy the common areas of the home; that is, breakfasts together each morning, movie nights on the couch, lounging by the (private) pool, roasting marshmallows at the fire pit—you get the idea. Shared spaces for family bonding, but private rooms for resting? It’s a win-win.
You can book multiple hotel rooms—or a multi-bedroom suite—in a hotel, but the cost will likely be much higher, the space much more limited, and you’ll be sharing common spaces (like a fire pit or pool) with other hotel guests.
If you’re planning a short getaway…
While both a hotel and a vacation rental would work for a quick trip, your destination is more likely to dictate which accommodation type is better.
Here are some things to consider:
- Who’s going
- How you’ll get to and from your accommodation
- Where you plan to spend your (limited) time
- Your travel budget
For instance, if you’re planning a solo city break and you want to see the major tourist attractions, it might make sense to book a hotel that provides free airport transfer so you can get to and from the airport with ease, is centrally located and walking distance to what you want to see (i.e., to save on transit costs), and offers free breakfast.
However, if you’re driving to the beach or slopes with friends, a waterfront or mountainside vacation rental that has ample parking, required amenities, like sufficient bedrooms, great Wi-Fi, and of course, views—all at a price point you can swing—might be the right fit for you.
If you’re planning an extended trip…
It seems travelers are in agreement here: vacation rentals are better for extended trips. Top reasons include the ability to cook your own meals; they’re more cost-effective, especially for a family or group; you’ll have more space and/or your own room; and access to a washer and dryer.
TL;DR: When travelers are away from home for an extended time, most want the amenities—and comforts—of a home, not a hotel.
If you’re on a business trip…
Business travelers might have less choice when it comes to booking accommodations for their trips. Some companies don’t allow employees to book vacation rentals for business trips, underlining the importance of checking your corporate travel policy ahead of booking accommodations.
Even if you’ve been given the green light to book a vacation rental, you might want to weigh your options. One business traveler commented how vacation rentals aren’t always conveniently located for business trip purposes, and lack the amenities needed (that hotels might better provide). Plus, staying in a hotel has other perks, such as earning loyalty points you can use on future trips.
However, some business travelers who’ve stayed in a vacation rental reported positive experiences. One traveler touted that a stay in a vacation rental can save time and money, and increase the positive side effects of a business trip. Another said if a business trip is more than four days, they always opt for a vacation rental so they can have more space and cook their own meals.
If you’re headed to a popular tourist destination…
In short: Do your research. Many cities are changing their regulations when it comes to short-term rentals due to their impact on the local economy, environment, and experience. In many cities, short-term rentals are inflating housing costs and pricing out locals.
New York City, for example, introduced a new law stating that hosts cannot rent out homes or apartments for less than 30 days. Meanwhile, residents in Barcelona recently gathered to protest overtourism The city had previously banned short-term rentals—the first in Europe to do so. Others, like Berlin, Paris, Edinburgh, and Vienna, have also introduced stricter rules to limit the amount or duration of short-term rentals.
Heading to a popular tourist destination? You have a few choices: Stay in a hotel (the clear-cut option). Or, stay in an approved short-term rental. But if you choose the latter, be sure you’re adhering to local laws—otherwise, you risk losing your booking, deposit, and precious time on your trip.
