You’ve probably noticed the ads for short-term vacation rentals and wondered – should we do that on our next travel adventure?
The answer is that it depends on your travel plans. If you want the convenience and service that comes with staying in a hotel, or are moving around a lot, good hotels are probably the more logical option..
If you are staying in one place for a while, travelling in a group, or just prefer to be on your own, a short-term holiday let could be perfect.
Both have their advantages, and disadvantages.
Should You Book A Hotel Room – The Pros
Staying in a hotel has many pros. It provides:
Consistency and Reliability:
Well established hotel brands with a good reputation offer consistent quality and service standards so you know what you’re getting. They also provide reliable services – room service, housekeeping, and round the clock front desk support. You do pay for it though.
Safety and Security:
Hotels are generally safe places to stay because they have security measures in place – surveillance, secure entry points, and in-house security staff. Emergency support and medical assistance are also often in-house, and readily available.
Convenience:
Big hotel chains choose central locations for good reason. They are usually close to tourist attractions, public transport, and dining out options. If you don’t want to go out, there will be an in-house restaurant, a bar or two, perhaps a fitness centre, a swimming pool, and spas.
No Maintenance or Cleaning:
Staying in a hotel means you don’t have to cook, do the dishes, make the bed, or clean up after yourself… The hotel has all that covered.
Should You Book A Hotel Room – The Cons
However, there are also some downsides to staying in hotels.
Cost:
Hotel rooms usually aren’t cheap, or good ones usually aren’t. Even the budget priced ones can get expensive if you’re staying for a while. There may also be additional charges for optional extras, like using some of the services and amenities.
Limited Space:
Unless you rent the pent house, or a large suite, you’re not going to have much room in a hotel. The cooking facilities are generally basic at best, so that means you’ll probably end up eating out a lot. That can get expensive.
Personalisation:
Hotel rooms can be impersonal, sterile places lacking in warmth and homeliness. Whilst that’s fine for a day or two, you may find it detracts from your travel experience if you’re staying there for a while.
Short-Term Holiday Rentals – The Pros
A short-term holiday rental can often be an ideal alternative to a hotel.
Space and Privacy:
Most of these types of accommodation are houses, flats, or units. They are spacious with separate living, dining, and sleeping areas. You’ll also be on your own – no other guests, or hotel staff.
Cost-Effectiveness:
For longer stays, or if there are a group of you, holiday rentals are typically far more economical, even for one or two nights. They also have proper kitchen facilities so you can cook your own meals, a big cost saving.
Homely Feel:
The owners of holiday lets usually go to a great deal of time and effort to personalise their rentals so they provide a unique homely, holiday experience. You can also choose a property that most appeals to you, or best suits your tastes and requirements.
Local Experience:
If you’re staying a few days, a local residential neighbourhood is a great way to meet the locals, immerse yourself in local culture, and see the local sights. Visit the local market for food shopping, use the local parks and other community amenities.
Short-Term Holiday Rentals – The Cons
Having your own space – a whole house of space – for the duration of your stay can be ideal but there are some downsides to holiday rentals as well.
Inconsistent Quality:
There are no real across the board standards for this type of accommodation. You are relying on the owners to supply reasonable accommodation and this can vary between hosts and properties.
The property, or its condition, can also turn out to be quite different to the marketing material you saw, and if you’ve travelled a long way to get there, you could be stuck accepting what’s offered.
Lack of Services:
You will be responsible for looking after yourself because there won’t be any housekeeping or room service. So it could be more of the same as what you do at home, just in different surroundings.
Then there are the medical and safety aspects to consider – if you are likely to require medical or emergency assistance, a holiday rental is probably not ideal.
Safety Concerns:
Holiday rentals typically don’t have on-site security services so if security is a concern for you, you may be better in a hotel.
Responsibility for Maintenance:
If you break it, or it’s broken and you want to use it, you’ll probably also have to fix it (within reason). Ditto for daily cleaning and basic maintenance… These are often the guest’s responsibility. There’s no room service to whisk away the dirty dishes after a meal, make the bed, or mop the floors if you get them dirty!
Final Thoughts
When you’re looking for places to stay when travelling, both hotels and short-term holiday rentals are feasible options. Which you choose really depends on the type of travel: if you’re on holiday or there is a group of you, a holiday rental may be best. If you’re just passing through, or on your own, a hotel room is easy and convenient. Each has its advantages, and disadvantages.
Weight them up, and consider which will suit your tastes, budget, and situation best.
