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Have you ever walked into a hotel room after a long swim in the pool only to smile contently at the sight of a freshly made bed and a clean set of elegant, fluffy towels? If so, you probably agree that such moments can feel like luxury at its finest. Considering hotels’ extravagant spas, fancy dining and state-of-the-art gym facilities, you might even agree that it can be hard – and even sad – to finally check out.
A quick look at a few numbers might change your mind, though. Just consider: according to Hotels.com, American men and women paid an average of $137 per night in 2014 for what is, in essence, is a 400-square-foot box…and CBS reported in 2015 that hotel rates were expected to rise by 5.4% in 2016.
What if you could get four times the space for a portion of the price? Welcome to the world of Airbnb or HomeAway. Here are all the facts, stats and stories you need to know before deciding if renting a house really makes any women’s vacation even better.
THE GOOD
Remember that time you went on a family vacation, only to feel like you needed another one after spending two weeks sharing one hotel room with your whole family? With an average of $100 a night, an Airbnb or HomeAway rentals not only come with a cheaper price tag, but also offer more space and freedom. Instead of repeatedly bumping into your Aunt Sue and Uncle Harry as you all try to share one room, people can have their own spaces inside one common roof. Since you have more space, you can also invite more friends and family on your vacation – which, besides being more fun, will also allow you to split the (already affordable) price more ways!
For foodies, renting a house instead of a hotel room also means having access to a full kitchen to cook your own cuisine. Goodbye to spending $15 on a stale bagel and plain cup of coffee, and hello to sleeping in, making a lazy breakfast of pancakes and eating them at an elegant dining room table. Even better, you can make food that you actually love and are craving at a portion of the hotel price. This means more cash for visiting attractions and buying souvenirs.
Another plus? You can get all the bonuses often found at hotels for none of the cost.
Some other things that many people don’t consider when staying at a hotel is the cost for all the “extras.” As Independent Traveler explains, hidden hotel fees can range from bottled water and snacks (costing $5 or more a pop!) to parking, which can easily add $25 each day. Though some of the fees may seem small – like the few dollars you could pay for using an extra towel at the pool – all these costs add up! The same can’t be said when renting a home for your vacation. In fact, most of the homes available through sites like VRBO and Airbnb include all of these extra perks in rental price. Who wouldn’t want that?
THE BAD
Before you start scouring the Airbnb website for the vacation home with plenty of character and charm, there are some cons to consider. According to IndependentTraveler.com, if you answer, “Yes” to any of these questions, renting a vacation house may not be for you:
THE BOTTOM LINE
When it comes to taking a vacation, choosing whether you want to stay in a hotel or a rental house can be just as difficult as choosing a destination. Staying in a hotel can definitely make for a more luxurious vacation, and sometimes it’s nice to splurge on room service and relax while hotel staff does most of the work. Renting your own vacation home, however, can offer more space and extras at a cheaper price.
The bottom line? You can have an awesome vacation while staying in a hotel or in a house. You just need to decide which option would make your particular vacation the best one yet.
