You may have heard it before: trips with kids are no vacation. It’s just life in a different location. But an enjoyable vacation with kids is more than possible, and some of this includes finding the right place to stay. A great place to start is by exploring the differences of staying in an Airbnb vs. a hotel.
Here are the pros and cons of Airbnb or VRBO accommodations, from our experiences:
Pros & Cons of Airbnb: The Good
- Pack Less: Washers, Dryers and Dishwashers – Oh My!
If you don’t enjoy hand washing dishes at home, why would you want to on vacation? I have washed the 300 parts of baby bottles, breast pumps and sippy cups in a hotel sink, and I am not feeling it. I love the convenience of amenities like a dishwasher and washer/dryer. It allows us to pack less, keep our living space more tidy and enjoy our time more. Leaving vacation with suitcases of clean clothes is a bonus too. - Move Around: Don’t Get ‘Nap Trapped’
Who doesn’t look forward to the moment their kids are tucked in and sound asleep for the night? I can answer this one – parents staying in the same hotel room as those kids, who need to stay quiet and keep the lights off. In the Airbnb vs hotel debate, this is one of the biggest points in favor of an Airbnb set-up. We can tuck in our kids and still enjoy our evening. And if your kid is still napping, you can go enjoy the patio instead of being tucked in the corner of the room. Granted, you can get around this if you get adjoining rooms in a hotel, or an Embassy Suites type set-up, but I love the space that a kid-friendly Airbnb allows. - Eat In: Spend Your Time & Money on the Fun Stuff
I don’t enjoy eating out every meal for a week – and coordinating kids to do the same gets… complicated. I love being able to stock a fridge and serve them a quick breakfast – plus simplifying meal times leaves more time for the fun stuff. This doesn’t mean you can’t go out to eat for some meals, you’re just not committed to eating out EVERY meal. - Save $$$: A Lower-Cost Option
In the Airbnb vs. hotel debate, you can’t overlook the importance of cost. Oftentimes, Airbnb’s ring in cheaper than a hotel stay, for a much bigger, more comfortable space. Many Airbnb hosts will provide a weekly or monthly discount as well. This, paired with the ability to eat more meals at home, often leads to it being the cheaper option. - Enjoy the Extras: All the Cool Amenities
While the amenities of an Airbnb are different and less standard than what you might get at a hotel, you can find unique offerings that enhance the joy of your trip – from bikes, to private pools or hot tubs, to tree houses and fire pits, to sand toys. And this is not to mention the occasional pleasant surprise in a kid-friendly Airbnb, like the 90s Casio electronic keyboard that played “Living La Vida Loca” that my kids found at one rental.
Airbnb for Kids: The Bad
- Invest the Time: Find the Right Location
Chances are that the hotel you book isn’t going to be on a weird side street, far from any attractions, with dubious on-street parking and overlooking a Dollar Store. The same can’t be said for an Airbnb. When considering an Airbnb vs. a hotel, there’s no way around it – you need to spend more time finding the right Airbnb and reading reviews. Most of the reviews will let you know about these things. Zero in your search on the area you want to stay in, and then review your choices one-by-one. - Skip the Pampering: On-Site Amenities and Services
Room service, housekeeping, on-site dining, gym and pool. Heck, a hotel pool can be reason enough for a hotel stay, especially in winter with kids. (Good to know: you can specifically search for Airbnb’s with pools, but most will be outdoors.) Overall, you’re certainly not going to get the same feeling of being catered to in an Airbnb vs a hotel setting. You have no one to call if you forgot toothpaste. Often the hotels can even set up a crib or mini fridge for you if you request it. - Don’t Expect Flexibility
If you know you’ll need an early check-in or late check-out, an Airbnb might not be the right choice for you. If they have someone checking out the same day, they may not be able to clean and turn around the unit quickly enough. A hotel has many rooms to work with and can more easily accommodate guests in this way. - Prepare Yourself: More Room for the Unexpected
This can be a big one when balancing the pros and cons of an Airbnb. With a hotel, you know what to expect – from the check-in process to the toiletries to the level of cleanliness. At an Airbnb, you could be surprised – either pleasantly or not-so pleasantly. You’re dealing with one person instead of a corporation, with no standardization. Again, this is why doing your homework and reading reviews is so important. The reviews on Airbnb generally don’t lie and allow you to make an informed decision. - No Points Here: Collecting & Redeeming Rewards
Hotel and travel points can be great. Whether you’re loyal to a hotel brand or use a general site like hotels.com, you can earn free stays through travel. This may seem obvious – but these kind of rewards aren’t possible through Airbnb. It’s also important to note – even with rewards, you may not be saving money by staying at hotel vs. an Airbnb.
The Airbnb vs. Hotel Verdict
While I have young children, I will hands-down, 100% pick an Airbnb or VRBO any day. We’re more comfortable, don’t feel trapped, and have more time and space to enjoy our vacation. That being said, I have to spend a lot more time on the planning end to find a clean, well-located space with good reviews and fewer breakables. For us, the juice is worth the squeeze at this point in our journey. I hope you will consider the Airbnb pros and cons I’ve shared, and make a decision that works best for your family.
FAQ: Airbnb for Family Travel
Is Airbnb a good choice for family travel?
Absolutely. Airbnb is a good choice for family travel due to the extra space provided, amenities like a kitchen and washer/dryer, and the lower cost. However, you will need to do more legwork to find the right location for your stay.
Which is better, an Airbnb or hotel?
This will depend on the needs of your family and your vision of vacation. There are pros and cons of Airbnb, but it’s definitely the right choice for my family.
Can a family of 5 stay in one hotel room?
In general, a family of five can stay in one hotel room – you might need to pay more for a rollaway bed, depending on the property. The real question is – do you want to do this? Our family has often found beautiful, 3- bedroom Airbnb rentals for under the cost of a hotel room.
How do I find a kid-friendly Airbnb?
When you select the ages of your guests, Airbnb will remove listings that hosts have deemed not appropriate for kids. At this point, there is more due diligence for you to do. Do the pictures show a lot of things your kids can get into? I often will also message the host and let them know I’m travelling with kids, and ask if there are any things I should prepare for. This will give you a good sense of the level of kid-friendliness of an Airbnb.
