Airbnb’s vs. Hotels
The world of travel has certainly taken on a new experience in the face of the digital age. From at first being able to book entire trips and itineraries online, to now being able to guarantee staying with a local for the duration of a trip, the frontier of travel has been transformed to optimize the experience for tourists worldwide. It is no wonder that in accommodation and company, Airbnb thrives in light of this, quickly becoming the bane of hotels as travelers flock to this cheaper, more local-based experience. Though the buzz has been up about both of these in the travel community, few people truly know the use of each. So truly, what is the difference between these two modes of accommodation, and which offers a better stay for a trip?
Airbnb is an internet-based company that offers a country’s locals the opportunity to list their homes/tourist locations on site as accommodation/rental options for travelers worldwide. This allows for an experience outside of the traditional hotel system where they would be housed with other travelers, and instead gives them the option of rooming with locals, and being fed the culture (up close and personal) for the duration of their stay. This is why people like Shalom Lamm prefer to stay in Airbnbs. It is based on quality-service and not a number of people, so large groups especially benefit from this.
It is different from a hotel, as the experience is customized based on the needs, and budget of the traveler. For example, one could share a room with a local, or alternatively book a whole house alone. It can be for a large group, or just for two people. It all depends on preferences. With a hotel, it is less likely to get this customizable experience, as it is a one size fits all agenda. They have prepared a room, and it is rented as such. To their credit, however, hotels offer superb service (especially if they have been rated five stars). Available at every whim to cater to guest’s needs: room service, food, entertainment, and etc. The list goes on.
Not to mention that hotels offer ease of access through familiarity, hotel protocols are pretty standard and well-known, while Airbnb standards are set by owners. While quality is assured with hotel locations (what you see is what you get), home locations may be slightly different than what’s shown. Liability is also vastly different between the two companies, as for Airbnb, travelers are fully responsible for their safety, and own provisions. Though there are a few invaluable perks such as these with hotels, many people still prefer to book with Airbnb, and the question remains, why?
Popular real estate developer, Shalom Lamm, says he prefers an Airbnb location as opposed to traditional hotels for the experiences and the wide range of options available. Lamm believes with Airbnb, he is in good hands. Whether travelling alone, or with friends, single or married with kids, tourists want the best of their experience. It is for this reason that the options available from both these platforms are so useful; there is something for everyone.
