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While I absolutely live for hotel stays (themed hotels and fantasy suites are my primary passion in life, but I adore my tried-and-true Double Trees, too), even I can admit that there are some notable advantages to staying at a vacation or home rental from platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo. They’re usually more spacious, making them great for larger group getaways, bachelorette parties, family reunions, and the like. Plus, vacation rentals often are decked out with other convenient amenities, including full kitchens, laundry machines, hassle-free digital check-in (not having to talk to anyone IRL to get inside the property is a huge plus for me), and generally being more pet-friendly.
As a hotel loyalist who rarely uses these alternative lodging options, I have to admit the main reason I would opt for a home share listing as opposed to booking a hotel room is usually an attempt to save some dough. Lately, though, while I love Airbnb’s unparalleled offering of unusual and themed accommodations, I’ve found its rentals to be far more expensive (especially after factoring in booking, service, and cleaning fees) than some five-star resorts. After recently forgoing an Airbnb rental for a hotel due to a series of additional fees, I began to wonder if there are any other alternatives that have emerged since the last time I had booked with the O.G. vacation rental company—it was, like, 2012, for reference and, spoiler alert: there are a lot.
It turns out I’m not the only one who has become increasingly disillusioned by the staggering fees and surprise expenses you often find with ubiquitous vacation rental players—not to mention taking out my own trash, doing the dishes, and making the bed during the final moments to complete the checkout process. According to a recent survey by bnbfinder, 92 percent of people say price is a factor when booking travel accommodations and traveler frustration with vacation rental website service fees is an 8 on a 1-10 scale.
“The data tells us there’s a growing trend among savvy travelers to use sites like Airbnb or Vrbo, almost like a search engine to source a vacation rental, and then explore ways to book that same property directly to sidestep paying service fees,” said Eric Goldreyer, CEO and owner of bnbfinder in a press release. “At the same time, with many Americans expecting to spend more on their trips this year, it’s evident travelers aren’t just budget-driven—they’re craving overall value in their vacation rentals.”
I realize that many people aren’t hotel people—even if saving money or looking for overall value in a rental isn’t a consideration. While I find it hard to believe there are people out there who actually prefer to make their own beds and forgo the luxury of having housekeeping on speed dial for a complimentary toothbrush or comb if forgotten at home, some people favor booking a true ‘home away from home’ instead. If you’re one of these people who prefer the benefits of non-hotel lodging, Airbnb isn’t the only platform to choose from these days—and it’s certainly not the most wallet-friendly if you’re trying to avoid extra fees. Read on to check out the best Airbnb alternatives when booking your next trip.
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