Is Airbnb still worth it? That’s a question I have been asking myself as I start planning for this year’s travel. I have stayed in dozens of Airbnb’s and used to think they were the greatest thing to ever happen to travel.

While I haven’t written off Airbnb, the prices have stayed similar to hotels but the fees have gone crazy!

A user of a popular social media wrote, ” Airbnb has basically gone off the rails. It used to be a great alternative to hotels. Now it’s simply isn’t. You have to clean the place yourself AND pay for cleaning fee, you’ve got a deal with the host one-on-one, and prices are no longer cheaper than hotels. What is the actual point of Airbnb anymore?”

Are you feeling the same?

Airbnb in 2024

Airbnb was initially celebrated for its cost-effectiveness and unique listings but has recently come under scrutiny as guests weigh the current value of its offerings against increasing prices and service fees.

However, Airbnb pricing has increased by 36% in the past three years. To be fair, hotel prices rose in the same time frame, but the add on fees keep piling on with Airbnb.

Plus studies are know showing that it isn’t any cheaper to book and Airbnb than a hotel room in most large cities and sometimes it can be more expensive.

Evaluating the Value of Airbnb for Guests

In assessing whether Airbnb still holds value for guests today, you need to look at, not just cost-effectiveness but also the range of options and the authenticity of the travel experience it offers.

Value depends a lot of the type of vacation you are on, and who you are going on the vacation with.

Cost Comparison with Traditional Lodging

When evaluating Airbnb, guests often consider the cost in relation to hotels and other traditional lodging options. Airbnb’s pricing can vary widely, with variables like location, amenities, and time of booking greatly affecting rates.

While an individual on couple traveling together might not make use of the space and expense of an Airbnb, a group of people might opt for an Airbnb to save money and spend more time together.

A user on social media reports,”My extended family and I stay in a couple of Airbnb’s a year. This includes my parents, brother, sister and her spouse and 3 children, and me and my husband and 3 children. Airbnb’s mean we can all hang out together and cook meals etc.

However, if it’s just my husband and I traveling, we typically book hotels.”

According to USA Today’s study on Hotels vs. Airbnb:

Prices for a single hotel room in the US is $124

The price of an average Airbnb in the US is $158

Diversity of Accommodation Options

One of the best things about Airbnb is their diverse array of places to stay.

This diversity allows guests to choose accommodations that align more closely with their personal preferences and needs. For example:

• Entire homes: Best for families and groups seeking privacy.
• Unique stays: Options like yurts and boats cater to those looking for a different experience.
• Budget-friendly: Shared rooms or less central locations offer lower prices.

Another social media user commented,

“Airbnb’d 20x here and have had wonderful experiences such as staying on a llama farm in Michigan and an alpaca farm in Tennessee, and a rescue horse and donkey hobby farm in Indianapolis. My daughter and I have made incredible memories that we talk about all the time. I’d take that any day over a hotel that has an indoor pool and continental breakfast.”

Convenience and Local Experience

Guests often treasure the local experience that Airbnb can provide, which is not typically replicated by hotels. Airbnb accommodations often come with fully-equipped kitchens, freeing guests from expensive dining out for every meal. A survey indicates that 74% of Airbnb users choose the platform to live more like a local, utilizing tips and sometimes companionship from hosts. Additionally, the booking process is streamlined through the Airbnb app, providing a convenient user experience from search to checkout.

Understanding Airbnb’s Service Fees

Airbnb’s service fees are a part of the biggest issues with Airbnb, as they have gotten higher and higher. These are the fees you will most typically see.

When guests book accommodations through Airbnb, they incur service fees, which are a percentage of the booking subtotal. The subtotal includes the nightly rate set by the host, plus any other fees the host decides to include, excluding Airbnb taxes and service fees. The cleaning fee typically ranges from 0% to 20% of the booking subtotal, depending on the listing.

Exploring Alternatives to Airbnb

For travelers unsatisfied with Airbnb, numerous alternatives offer different experiences, amenities, and pricing structures.

Short-Term Rental Platforms other than Airbnb

• Vrbo: Specializes in vacation rentals, homes, and condos with a family-oriented focus.
• Booking.com: Provides a variety of accommodations, including apartments and homes.
• FlipKey: A TripAdvisor company that offers a range of rental properties, including unique stays like castles and boats.

Boutique Hotels and B&Bs

• Boutique Hotels: Often independently owned, these hotels provide personalized experiences and local charm.
• Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs): These establishments offer a homely stay, often with breakfast included.

Here are some examples of Airbnb’s compared with hotels in major cities across America. I tried to keep the amenities and locations  a similar as possible.

NYC Midtown Hotel

The price for the Warwick Hotel NYC was posted at $292 for the 2nd week in April. It is considered to be a 3.5-4-star hotel. Overall, most guests were very happy with the quiet rooms and the great location. The complaints were that there weren’t enough elevators and that it was an older hotel that didn’t look sleek and new.

Hotels in Midtown NYC are easier to find than Airbnbs, but I was able to find a few like this one in the next slide.

NYC Midtown Airbnb

This Airbnb in Midtown Manhattan seems to be a steal at $298 per night! However, if you stay for 2 nights that acutal price is $851 once you add in the Airbnb fee and the cleaning fee. However, you do get a lot of room for the price. Most reviewers loved the location and the back patio area. The only negative in many reviews was that the apartment could feel dark.

Hotel in Downtown Seattle

The Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown was priced at $165 per night  the 3rd week in April with taxes and fees. The hotel is near the waterfront and close to Pike’s Place Market and the Space Needle. People like the waterfront view, the clean rooms, and the friendly staff. Cons were the price for parking and renovations.

Downtown Seattle Airbnb

This Airbnb in Downtown Seattle is a guest favorite. It was listed at $143 a night but had a minimum stay of 2 nights for a grand total of $463. The view and the locations are big favorites with guests, while difficulty finding the apartment and cramped quarters were complained about.

Hotels in Orland Near Disneyworld

 

Hotels that are near Disneyworld but aren’t Disney affiliated are still really easy to find. For example the Courtyard by Marriott Lake Buena Vista at Vista Centre is a 4 minute drive to Disneyworld and yet is much more affordable than a Disneyworld hotel. For the 2nd weekend in May the price was $355.

The pros of the hotel are the splash pad and pool areas, shuttles to Disney and good prices for the hotel. People complained about the daily parking fee and the $10 resort fee.

Airbnb Near Disneyworld in Orlando

There are so many Airbnbs near Disneyworld, including some awesome Dinsey and Harry Potter themed Airbnbs. However, I tried to pick one that was a close in location as the Hotel above.

This Airbnb is located in the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort and is as close to Disneyworld as the hotel above. The price for the 2nd weekend in May was $416.25. The Airbnb was popular becuase of the huge pool area, the location next to Disneyworld and the resort feel. The listing had no cons.

One Redditor summed it up well,

“I guess what I’m trying to say is, AirBnB is a crapshoot. Sometimes you luck out, and sometimes it’s bad. This used to be a risk I was more willing to take because the prices were so much lower than hotels, but now that it’s not cheaper, it’s not worth it to me unless I need something very specific that a hotel or realtor can’t offer (like an apartment for just two months). All the traveling I’ve booked for this summer has been exclusively through hotels’ own websites.”

Source: Reddit.