5 Reasons Why I Choose Airbnbs over Hotels

If there is one thing I love, it is traveling. Anytime I have a trip planned I spend so much time looking forward to it that I can hardly focus on my real life! (It's a problem, I know). In my travels over the years, I have discovered an awesome alternative to hotels...Airbnb!

In fact, I stay in Airbnbs almost exclusively, whether I’m traveling locally or abroad.

So what makes AirBNBs so great?

Why Airbnb is so great:

1. Location, location, location!

One of the key reasons I choose Airbnbs over hotels 99% of the time is because of location. For example, when we went to York in the UK, I really wanted to stay close to this instragram-worthy, historical street known as “The Shambles.” As I researched, I discovered that this street was foot traffic only and there were ZERO hotels right on the street or even very close to it at all. When I looked on Airbnb, I quickly found a super affordable flat to rent for a night or two that was actually ON The Shambles (not to mention it was owned by a local artist and decorated so beautifully)!

Airbnb locations are also amazing for larger cities like Edinburgh or London, where hotels right in the heart of the city with great views can easily cost $400 USD a night. Meanwhile, an Airbnb located within walking distance of some of the best attractions is only $100 a night and you get an entire flat instead of just one room!

2. Lots of space + affordable price = happy travelers

Some people love Airbnb because they like to stay in a room in someone’s home and get to know local people where they are staying. I have done that before, and while it is nice (and I met some truly kind people), this introvert likes her space after a long day of sightseeing. This is why I prefer to rent entire apartments/homes when I travel with Airbnb.

The amount of space you can get in an Airbnb is so nice. If you rent an entire home, you get a kitchen stocked with supplies, your own living area, a private bathroom, and sometimes even a patio or garden to yourself in addition to the room you sleep in. What’s even better is that the price you pay is comparable or (usually) much less than what you would pay for a hotel room that doesn’t include all of that additional space. For me, it's a no-brainer!

3.Practical Amenities

In addition to all of that space, Airbnbs also come with amenities that can make your travels easier and more affordable. One of the best perks is having a kitchen, which allows you to cook dinner a few times on your trip instead of eating out every single meal. If you travel on a budget like I do, this can be a great way to save money on your trip!

Staying in Airbnbs also allows me to pack lighter, especially on longer trips, because I can do laundry at the apartment. I always look for bookings that have a washer/dryer in the apartment so that I can pack my capsule wardrobe pieces and just wash and re-wear some items. While you can find some hotels with laundry service or suites with kitchenettes, you simply won’t get as much space for your money!

4. Better for groups traveling together

While Nick and I love trips with just the two of us, we also really enjoy traveling with friends every now and then. If you stay at a hotel with friends, you often have to choose between cramming 4-5 people in one small hotel room or renting two separate rooms and paying a lot more money.

With an Airbnb, we can rent an entire house for the price of one hotel room and it has multiple bedrooms as well as common areas. That means you can cook meals together, hang out and watch a movie in the living room, etc. It makes it nice because you still feel like you are staying with your friends, but you get your own private spaces for sleeping.

5. Live like a local

Whether or not your host actually lives at the Airbnb when they are not renting it, staying in an Airbnb gives you a little peek into what everyday life is like in the city you are visiting. Rather than staying in a hotel (which exists to house out of town guests) you are often staying in a neighborhood or apartment building with normal residences. I especially enjoy this aspect when traveling internationally because you get a totally different taste for the culture than if you stay in a hotel and just go to all of the tourist attractions.

You get an even better taste for local life if you choose to just rent a room in someone's home instead of getting the entire place to yourself. You don't get quite as much privacy in this situation, but I think it's definitely worth the experience to do at least once, especially if you are traveling internationally. Our hosts have always shared tips for getting around the city, told us about the best restaurants, and just chatted about life in the area.

The bottom line...

Airbnb is the best! Overall, it is a budget friendly option where you won’t have to sacrifice on amenities or location. Sure, some people have had bad experiences, but most of the time that just means they didn't do their research thoroughly before booking their stay. In my experience, Airbnb is a great alternative to hotels.

Have you ever stayed at an Airbnb? If not, here’s $40 towards your first stay! Don't forget to check the blog next week for my top tips for booking the best Airbnb for your next trip!