Hotel vs Vacation Rental: How to Choose the Best Accommodations
Hotel vs vacation rental? This is always a big debate when travel planning. Both have their pros and cons but it really just comes down to what kind of vacation you are looking for.
When booking a trip, my priorities shift based on the trip’s purpose. The requirements vary significantly depending on whether it’s a business trip, a romantic getaway, or a family vacation. But for the most part, I am looking for places that are clean, in a good location and work within our budget.
Lets break it down and compare the pros and cons of each.
Hotel Pros:
24 Hour Assistance
One thing to love about hotels is the luxury of having staff to assist you at any moment. Forgot your toothbrush? No problem. Need some extra towels? They’ve got you covered. The hotel concierge is there to help with any questions you may have about the city, book you a taxi, make restaurant recommendations and even book tickets to certain events for you if needed.
On Site Restaurants
Most hotels will have a restaurant on the property adding to the convenience of your stay. Room service is generally an option as well if you so desire. This is a nice treat for a special occasion or if you are craving those late night snacks after a long day of exploring!
Amenities
In addition to on site restaurants, most hotels will offer a variety of amenities to make your stay as stress free as possible. These could include fitness facilities, spa services and indoor/outdoor pools. Sometimes slowing down the fast pace of travel and relaxing at the pool or spa is exactly what is needed!
Consistency of Quality
You usually know what you are getting with a hotel. Most hotel chains come with a reputation based on the name alone and you can expect a certain level of consistency throughout their associated properties. Boutique hotels are a little trickier but will come with a star rating. Most will have a detailed description with photos on their website to give you a good idea of what to expect. I always read reviews before booking any hotel.
Convenient Locations
Whether you want to be in the city center or need to be near an airport for business, there is always going to be a hotel to fit your needs. Navigation of a new city is much easier when you can be in the center of the action and many hotels in major cities are within walking distance to the main attractions. There may also be more selection of oceanfront hotels in beach destinations compared to vacation rentals.
Daily Housekeeping
Housekeeping is an added convenience that comes at no extra cost while staying in a hotel. But there may be a benefit to skipping it. I am pleased to see that in an effort to be more sustainable, a lot of hotels are making this optional rather than standard. Some hotels will even offer loyalty points in exchange for keeping your own room tidy. Personally I like to have this option but it is certainly an individual choice.
Accessibility
All modern hotels are required to meet accessibility standards including availability of elevators and a designated percentage of accessible rooms. If you’re traveling to Europe, be sure to inquire about these features before booking. Some older hotels may not fully comply with modern accessibility guidelines due to the historic design of the buildings.
Security
Most hotels will come with added levels of security throughout the property. This could include a safe in the room, security guards in the lobby and key cards needed to access the elevator and the hotel itself after hours. This gives peace of mind and a little added assurance for a safe stay without incident.
Flexible Bookings
When comparing a hotel vs vacation rental, hotels often have more straightforward booking processes and flexible cancellation policies. They also provide structured check in/check out times and will often store luggage for you if you arrive early. Mobile check in/out is also an added convenience at many hotels.
Loyalty Programs
Earning points on a stay and getting upgrades as part of a loyalty program make hotels the perfect choice for short stays or business trips. Loyalty programs will often offer free hotel stays when a certain level is reached.
We often use free stays when we first arrive in a destination to have the comforts of a hotel before venturing off into a foreign country. Having loyalty status also allows you to access hotel lounges. This can be very convenient for grabbing a quick bite to eat or a late night drink.
See our full post on How to Make Travel Affordable
Hotel Cons:
More Expensive
Hotels tend to be more expensive for what you get. Compared to a vacation rental, when you need things like a kitchen or multiple bedrooms, the price starts to skyrocket. Also staying in the heart of a city can come with a hefty price tag. If it isn’t the amenities you are after, then a vacation rental is almost always more affordable.
Extra Fees
There are usually fees associated with a hotel stay, like parking and laundry services, that you may not think about up front. Room service and spa treatments can certainly be avoided but the temptation is sometimes hard to resist. Convenience often outweighs the cost when it comes to extras.
Best For 4 People or Less
Unless we are travelling to a kid friendly destination like Disneyland, we find that hotels don’t tend to accommodate a family of 5 well. Most standard hotel rooms come with 2 double or queen beds which would be great for a family of 4. But add in that extra kid and everything becomes more challenging!
Accommodating our family in a hotel comes at a price, often in the form of an upgrade to a suite. Or sometimes we get two adjoining rooms when suites aren’t available. Roll away beds are sometimes an option but are not always available in every hotel.
Lack Privacy
When staying in a hotel you are most likely sharing at least one wall with another room. We have had many “spicy” neighbours in the past which is especially awkward when you run into them in the hall the next morning!
Neighbours fighting or kids screaming is also something to think about. Nobody likes their own kids fighting, let alone someone else’s!
Vacation Rental Pros:
More Variety of Properties
Vacation rentals offer a wide variety of properties from small hotel style rooms and shared spaces to apartments, houses and villas. They are also often located in remote areas where hotels aren’t found.
If a Tuscan villa is your vibe, you can find one. Or maybe you just want a shared space in someone’s house. The possibilities are endless.
Feel More Like a Local
Staying in a vacation rental allows you to experience the city as the locals do. They are often located in residential areas outside of top tourist areas, providing a more authentic experience and an opportunity to interact with locals.
Chat with your host for local hotspots, customs and hidden gems in the city. They are generally a wealth of knowledge!
Better for Families or Groups
As mentioned previously, hotels aren’t always great for families greater than 4 or for groups travelling together. Vacation rentals offer the option to have an entire property to yourself with multiple bedrooms and outdoor space.
Vacation rentals can also be cheaper for longer stays or larger groups since you pay for the space rather than per person, often with lower nightly rates.
Larger Living Space
Vacation rentals give you the choice of a variety of properties so you can choose the best fit for you. They are most often equipped with a full kitchen, multiple bedrooms, living room, and in house laundry included for much less than a hotel. Many also include parking at no extra cost.
Privacy
When it comes to a hotel vs vacation rental, vacation rentals will have more private options. Of course there are the hotel and apartment style accommodations but if you desire your own space without close neighbours, this can certainly be achieved.
Outdoor Space
Private outdoor space is something that has added incredible value to our travels as a family. While I appreciate the shared amenities of a hotel, there are often times after a long day of sightseeing that I just want private space to myself. This is especially convenient when travelling with kids or pets.
Accommodating Pets
There are a wide variety of vacation rentals that will allow pets which makes travelling with our furry friends fairly convenient. And while many hotels will accommodate pets, taking them out before bed is certainly easier when there is a space right outside your door and you don’t have to take them down an elevator and through the hotel lobby just to get outside.
Better Value
When compared to a hotel, vacation rentals offer significantly greater value for what you get in terms of room amenities. The cost of a full kitchen, multiple bedrooms and in-suite laundry would come with a much higher price tag in a hotel whereas these amenities are quite easy to find for a more reasonable price with vacation rentals.
Vacation Rental Cons
Have to Contact the Host for Assistance
Communication with a vacation rental relies on varying levels of responsiveness from the host and quality of support. We have had both pleasant and frustrating experiences with this and over the years I have become quite good at scouring reviews to determine the level of support from the host prior to booking.
Cleaning Fees
Cleaning fees with vacation rentals are over and above the initial cost of the property and is generally added in before completing your booking. It can be a bit of a shock to see the cost go up exponentially whereas with a hotel this is included in the price of the room.
Quality Varies Between Properties
Most vacation rentals will come with a star rating depending on which platform you choose. Always make sure to read the reviews prior to booking as this can give you a better idea of the state of the property.
Airbnb has classifications of properties and hosts. We always make sure to look for the “Superhost” rating with Airbnb and if we do this we never have a problem with quality.
Varying Check In and Cancellation Policies
Check in and cancellation policies vary widely by host, from flexible and easy going to strict and very structured. Always make sure to read the fine print and fully understand the cancellation and check in policies prior to booking so you don’t run into any issues.
Security
There is no industry standard for security with vacation rentals. Safety measures such as dead bolts, security cameras and safes are largely dependant on the host. This will likely be stated on the vacation rental listing but check with your host prior to booking if you are unsure.
Accessibility
Most vacation rentals will state in the description whether or not they are accessible but in places like Europe these may be harder to find due to the historic design of some of the buildings. We have stayed in many European vacation rentals that have only had a narrow staircase and others that only had a very small lift that would not be big enough to accommodate a wheelchair.
Ultimately, the choice between a hotel vs vacation rental depends on your travel preferences and needs. Hotels offer convenience, consistent standards, and full-service amenities, while vacation rentals provide diversity in accommodation types, local experiences, and potentially lower costs for longer stays or larger groups. Just remember no matter what kind of accommodations you are looking for, always, always, always read the reviews before booking!
Find your next hotel or vacation rental here