Traveling and hotels are two related fields that encompass many different kinds of accommodations. Choosing the right temporary home base for a trip depends on personal preference, budget, purpose of travel and desire for an offbeat or immersive travel experience. There are numerous options for lodging abroad, including traditional hotels, bed and breakfasts, vacation rentals and unique experiences such as treehouses or yurts.
In addition to the standard amenities that all hotels offer, hotel stays provide a range of benefits not found at Airbnbs or other types of accommodation. A major benefit is the peace of mind and convenience that a stay in a hotel provides. With concierge services to help with activities and excursions, and in-room amenities like room service, spas and restaurants, travelers can relax knowing that everything will be taken care of.
Another advantage of staying in a hotel is that many have loyalty programs. These can reward guests for their business, providing free or discounted nights at participating properties or even earning airline miles or other rewards. Airbnb does have a loyalty program, but it is less robust than the offerings of most hotels. In addition, a hotel stay often includes access to hotel facilities, like pools and gyms, which can be beneficial for those seeking to stay active while traveling.
Airbnb offers a variety of unique places to stay, from luxury resorts underwater to capsule suites hanging from cliffs. These can be an exciting way to spend a vacation or a business trip. However, these places often come with a high price tag and lack the security of a hotel, so be sure to weigh the pros and cons before booking.
Hotels are also rethinking their offerings to appeal to the modern traveler. Gone are carpets (too difficult to clean) and single-use toiletries (too wasteful). In their place are kinetic art screens that greet guests by name, designer toiletries in white vetiver from boutique brand Apotheke and large trash cans because “80% of our guests live out of their suitcases,” Hilton’s Schuyler tells Axios.
Both hotels and Airbnb have flexible cancellation policies. Some hotels even have dedicated brands for extended stays, catering to those who want the comfort of a home while traveling for weeks or months at a time. Airbnb has a property designation called Airbnb Plus that indicates the company has sent someone to personally vet the property. This can be a good option for first-time users who are concerned about the quality of an Airbnb rental.
There are numerous other ways to book accommodations abroad, including using a search engine such as Kayak or a booking site such as Expedia. These sites allow you to compare multiple airlines and hotels in one place, making it easy to find the best deals. They also offer options for car rentals and package deals, which can save money in the long run. In addition, many of these platforms have apps that make it easier to manage bookings on the go.