Hotels, Hostels, AirBnbs, Oh My!

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One of the questions I get asked fairly often is: what are the pros and cons of staying in a hotel vs. hostel vs. AirBnb? I’ve stayed in each option many times and, of course, I do have opinions. But my personal accommodation preferences might be vastly different from your accommodation preferences. Staying in a hostel might make sense in one scenario, but not in another. The fact of the matter is that there are an array of factors to consider while weighing each option. The most straightforward way to explore this topic is to present the pros and cons of each accommodation option. 

Hotels

Hotels are easy and convenient. They have everything you need for a comfortable stay: cozy beds, privacy, concierge/front desk assistance, and (sometimes) food and beverage options onsite. Hotels are easy to locate and book, too. Prices and room rates are typically straightforward, and there usually aren’t any surprise fees associated with booking. In many cities, there are a range of hotel types available from budget to mid-tier to luxury. Having a plethora of options is great! This gives you the freedom to customize your stay based on your travel budget and interests. 

Pros

A huge benefit right off the bat is that hotels are comfortable and private. No need to worry about sleeping in a bunk next to a stranger, or waiting in line to use the bathroom in the morning. 

Another major perk about hotels is that they often include specific services or amenities onsite. These could include a gym, a pool, a business center, or other amenities. Some popular services offered by many hotels include reserved parking, high speed WiFi, and free bathroom amenities. Considering the individual costs of these amenities might make all the difference when debating whether to stay in a hotel or elsewhere. Parking is a major perk that can get expensive in major urban areas. If a hotel provides secure parking in a garage, it might be worth the slightly higher nightly rate if you travel with a vehicle. 

One set of perks that can sometimes go unnoticed are the business amenities like high speed WiFi and business services. If you’re working remotely while on a trip, these are absolutely necessary. Though you can likely find free WiFi at local cafes, they do not provide the same speed or privacy for video conferences or streaming that can be found at most hotels. If I am traveling for work, or if I know I’ll need to do work-related tasks on the road, I usually opt for a hotel to ensure I have the amenities I need to conduct my job effectively while remote. 

Cons

A potential downside to hotels is that they usually have the highest nightly rates out of all three options (depending on which city you’re traveling to). Because of the previously discussed factors like privacy, onsite amenities, and convenience, hotels charge competitive nightly rates based on a variety of factors. Some of these factors might include location, other accommodations in the area, hotel tier or status, and whether they are part of a larger network of hotels like Hilton, World of Hyatt, or Marriott.

Of course, the higher rate per night might not be a turn off depending on your preferences and how willing you are to pay for specific perks provided to hotel guests. To find the best rates for hotels, I like to source information through the hotel website initially and then work my way to third-party sites to see if there are any lower rates available. Always read the fine print when booking through a third-party, and even when booking through the hotel website itself. If you are a member of a hotel rewards program, you might need to meet certain stipulations to get credit for your stay. Sometimes third-party sites have different cancellation policies than the hotel itself. This could impact your booking if you attempt to change the dates of your visit. Words of wisdom: just read the fine print.  

Another possible downside associated with hotels is that it can be difficult to meet people as a solo traveler. Even if the hotel has a bar or lounge, it still might be more difficult to meet people than it would be at a hostel. However, this might actually be a perk if you just want to keep to yourself and/or don’t want to meet anyone new while traveling. I have sometimes felt overwhelmed when traveling, and I occasionally enjoy flying under the radar. It’s all about how you travel best and what you want out of the experience. 

Important to note: Many hotel rewards programs offer discounts on nightly rates to members of their programs. For example, Marriott Bonvoy members have access to special member rates. Based on tier status, members might also have access to late checkouts, room upgrades, and other perks. Though hotels are often the most expensive accommodation option out of those on this list, there are still ways to find decent rates if you prefer to stay at hotels.

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Hostels

Hostels are quirky, fun, and lively. Staying at a hostel is a great way to save money, meet new people, and explore the coolest places around. Hostel staff tend to know the best local digs, and they usually have pretty good recommendations for neat things to do off the beaten path. Prices per night are among the lowest out of every accommodation on this list. Sometimes the nightly rate even includes free breakfast and free guided walking tours. I’ve stayed in hostels all around the world, and each time I’ve met interesting people and made lasting memories.

Booking hostels is easy through the website HostelWorld. Here you can search hostels around the world based on your preferences and interests. I personally use this site to book hostel stays, and it’s great!

Pros

As mentioned above, hostels are perfect for social travelers. Common spaces are usually shared amongst all guests and most people are pretty eager to get to know other travelers. Staying in a hostel will be the easiest way for solo travelers to make new friends to explore with. Of course, you can be as social or individual as you’d like during your trip. Staying at a hostel at least gives you the option to meet people while traveling.

There are a variety of unique benefits often associated with staying at a hostel. Some of these include free walking tours, free mixer events, pub crawls, and other fun social perks. Hostel staff know a lot of the coolest spots, many of which are likely located off the beaten path. Hostels are usually located in central locations in any given city. Always make sure to double-check the hostel location before booking to make sure you’re near attractions/museums/sites you’d like to see. 

Hostels are a great option for budget travelers or those just wanting to save a bit of money on accommodations. I stayed at a hostel in Paris for 4 nights for only $200. I would have likely spent between 4 to 6 times that amount for my stay if opting for a hotel in the same area!

Cons

Perhaps one of the most prominent downsides to staying in a hostel is the lack of privacy. However, this is factored into the often significantly cheaper nightly rates. Many hostels do offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms, though. A typical set-up in a hostel is a group of bunk beds or cubby-style sleeping areas each with small dividers to cover your bed while sleeping. I’ve seen as many as 20+ beds in a room at a hostel, but the most common set-ups feature 4 to 10 beds in a room. Many hostels provide female-only and male-only rooms to help solo travelers feel more comfortable in a shared sleeping environment. Some rooms feature ensuite bathrooms shared among only the guests in that room. However, there are other set-ups including bathrooms shared by the whole floor or sometimes even the whole hostel (if the hostel is smaller in size). 

Another possible downside is that there might not be as many amenities as there would be at a hotel. Many hostels do not include free toiletries or a pool, for example. There are options to request add-ons like towels, linens, soap, etc. for an extra fee. WiFi can be hit or miss depending on the property. Call ahead to inquire about whether this is included in the nightly rate. Some hostels offer free WiFi but only in common spaces (not in dorm rooms). 

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Airbnbs or Home Shares

Airbnbs or home rental accommodations are great for travelers who want privacy but still want to feel immersed in their surroundings. Many rental accommodations include kitchens, making this a great option for those wanting to cook for themselves or their travel party during their visit. Airbnbs are also often located in unique spots. I’ve seen several with super awesome views and features like hot tubs, a sun deck, and more! 

Pros

Airbnbs are great for travelers wanting a more local, personalized experience without sacrificing privacy or paying top dollar for a hotel stay. Many airbnbs are located in the neighborhoods of popular cities, and tucked away in cool, hidden spots. Sometimes Airbnbs are just a room in someone’s home or on their property. Other times they’re full apartments or homes on their own. Make sure to read the details of the listing to determine if you’ll be sharing the space or property with anyone else during your visit. It can be an awkward realization that you booked a bedroom in someone’s home thinking it was a stand-alone apartment. 

Cons

One of the biggest frustrations I’ve had with Airbnb is the pricing model and hidden fees. From cleaning fees to service fees, the nightly rate is never what it appears at first glance. Once I was trying to book an apartment stay in Buenos Aires, Argentina for 3 nights (Thursday through Sunday trip). The displayed rate was roughly $100/night but once I clicked through to book, the stay was suddenly $580! Added onto the booking were cleaning fees, a service fee, a refundable damage deposit, and other seemingly random fees. If Airbnb was more straightforward with their hidden fees, users would have a much better experience overall navigating the platform. 

Another possible con associated with Airbnbs compared to hotels and hostels is that Airbnbs have stricter cancellation policies. This can be a real pain if you’re a traveler with canceled or delayed travel plans. The lack of leniency in their cancellation policy cost me hundreds of dollars when trying to get refunds on several stays I booked in South America back in early 2020. I booked stays in February for a trip in May 2020. When the pandemic hit, all of our flights and travel plans were canceled by the providers. I tried negotiating a refund with Airbnb for the bookings but there was no hope. Due to being outside of the 48 hour booking window, there was no refund provided. Even after I submitted multiple documents proving I could not enter the country due to COVID-19, I was still not met with a solution.

This experience has somewhat tainted my view of Airbnb, but that’s not to say I won’t give them another shot in the future. I had great stays at Airbnb properties prior to that experience but their cancellation policy is a major turn off for me in this day and age when travel plans can change at a moment’s notice.

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Though these three options are among the most popular accommodation types, there are a variety of other options to choose from. What works best for you will depend on your travel budget, where you’re traveling, and what type of experience you’re looking to have. Regardless of which option you end up choosing, traveling with an open mind will ensure you start your trip off on the right foot.

Do you prefer staying at hotels, hostels, or Airbnbs, and why? Let me know in the comments below!

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