Vacations are a great way to enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When it comes to choosing accommodation for your vacation, there are various options available depending on what suits you best.
Traditional hotels offer comfortable accommodations with plenty of amenities like swimming pools, gyms, restaurants, spas, and more. Hotels also provide services like laundry, room service, and concierge that can make your stay convenient and hassle-free. However, these traditional accommodations usually come with hefty price tags.
On the other hand, Airbnb-like accommodations have become increasingly popular in recent years. These offer a unique homely experience without any compromise on comfort or convenience. These accommodations are often located in residential areas, giving you a chance to explore local culture and immerse yourself in the destination. Moreover, they are usually much more affordable than traditional hotels.
Staying in an AirBNB rental can offer many advantages over traditional accommodation options. For starters, it can be considerably more cost-effective than a hotel or other similar accommodations. In addition to the savings on room rates, amenities such as kitchen facilities, Wi-Fi access, and laundry are often included for free or at a discounted rate. Furthermore, AirBNB rentals tend to be located in neighborhoods closer to attractions and activities than hotels, allowing guests to experience more of the local culture.
AirBNB also offers much more flexibility than traditional lodging when it comes to the length of stay; some listings even offer monthly discounts for longer stays. This is ideal for those looking for extended travel without having to drastically change their daily routine.
Another advantage of AirBNB is the ability to customize your stay. Guests can choose from a wide variety of amenities and services in each listing, such as housekeeping and the option to have meals prepared for them. This allows travelers to make their stay more comfortable by tailoring it to their individual needs.
Finally, with an AirBNB rental, guests can rest assured that they are staying in a place where the host has taken time to ensure all necessary safety protocols are followed. From regular cleaning and sanitizing between stays to detailed check-in procedures, hosts often go above and beyond what traditional lodging offers when it comes to guest safety.
There are also several ways to save on AirBNB purchases and get a discount. Many hosts offer discounted rates for longer stays, so if you're planning an extended trip, it's definitely worth asking about this option. Additionally, AirBNB offers periodic discounts and promotions for new customers as well as returning guests. Signing up for the email newsletter is one way to stay informed about these deals. Finally, some credit card companies also provide special offers on their cards when used to book through AirBNB.
Meet Sonder!
Sonder is a relatively new player in the short-term rental marketplace that offers accommodations similar to AirBNB. Unlike AirBNB, Sonder is a professionally managed company rather than an individual host, so all of its properties are held to a higher standard of cleanliness and maintenance.
The company also differs from AirBNB in its approach to customer service. Rather than relying on hosts for check-ins, Sonder employs dedicated local teams who welcome guests upon arrival, provide 24/7 on-site support, and can even arrange services like grocery delivery or restaurant reservations. This ensures that every stay is comfortable and hassle-free.
Additionally, unlike AirBNB, Sonder provides all guests with access to its app, which provides additional features such as the ability to view neighborhood attractions and activities. This makes it easier for guests to explore the area while they’re in town and take full advantage of their stay.
In conclusion, Sonder offers a unique alternative to AirBNB that combines convenience, comfort, and safety with an emphasis on customer service. Whether you're looking for a short-term rental or extended stay, Sonder may be worth checking out for your next vacation.
You can also save on your Sonder bookings with Sonder Coupon Codes!
Meet Sabbatical Homes!
Sabbatical Homes is a listing service for people seeking temporary housing, originally dedicated to visiting scholars. Now open to academics and non-academics in 57 countries, Sabbatical Homes provides short-term and medium-term rentals and exchanges. Low listing fees (slightly higher for non-academics) allow everyone to find affordable housing options, while members work out rental terms with each other. If successful, guests can choose an honor-based success fee of any amount that goes towards supporting Sabbatical Homes so we can keep the site advertisement free!
Meet Vacasa!
This Portland-based rental company offers around 25,000 vacation properties worldwide. Instead of using the home-sharing system, Vacasa employs people to clean and maintain the curated properties. According to Fast Company compliance wage initiative earn at least $15 an hour.
Although Vacasa functions differently than Airbnb, it still provides fair pricing for vacation rentals and consistent quality.
Meet The Plum Guide!
Plum Guide, a London-based startup, touts itself as the Michelin Guide for vacation homes. The company's team of professionals visit each property to inspect it against 150 criteria andTest things like the neighborhood and WiFi speed with an eye for interior decor. Withproperties in major cities all around the world Plum guide also has great customer service available via call back email or live chat!
Meet Innclusive!
Innclusive is a rental platform that was created in 2016 by people who had experienced racism when attempting to book lodging on Airbnb. This company's goal is ambitious yet understandable: "We're constructing a site where you can travel without having to worry about race, sexual orientation, or gender identity."
The site is continuously growing to ensure that people cannot discriminate when booking lodging. It only shows identity photos after bookings have been confirmed, offers instant booking on almost all listings, and prevents hosts from denying a booking to one guest and offering it to another.
Meet Kid and Coe!
Kid and Coe is a site that offers families plenty of kid-focused amenities when they travel. Listings tell parents exactly how many people — and what age — the property can handle, and the site offers extensive descriptions of toys, baby gear, and beds. This way, parents can vacation without having to worry about their children being comfortable or entertained.
We appreciate the comprehensive amount of information given for each property, including sections on “Perks for the Parents,” “Why Kids Love It,” and even “Style Notes” describing the decor. The only drawback is that listings might be sparse and pricey compared to other sites.
Meet BoutiqueHomes!
If you're looking for a vacation rental site that offers both incredible architecture and design, as well as relaxation, Boutique Homes is the perfect choice for you. With only the most beautiful properties listed on the site by invitation only, you're guaranteed to find a stunning location for your next getaway.Unlike most home-sharing sites, Boutique Homes puts quality over quantity by providing descriptions and pictures of only the best vacation rentals and event venues.
Meet FlipKey!
Offering property owner verification and guest reviews, FlipKey has become a well-known name in the vacation rental market. Now owned by TripAdvisor, this site offers users many of the same features and filters as its big competitors – making it easy to find properties that fit your specific needs (e.g. dog-friendly, kid-friendly or waterfront). One thing to note is that FlipKey doesn’t provide shared rooms but you can filter your search to see only entire units/homes.
Meet Homestay!
If you're looking to save some money,Homestay is a good option for you. There are no private houses or apartments on the site, but that means every stay comes with a knowledgeable host who can help show you around town. While there may not be as many options in some cities, the reasonable prices often make up for it.
Meet Wimdu!
With an extensive collection of city apartments, Wimdu has approximately 350,000 properties worldwide and is particularly big in Europe. A variety of reasonably priced options are available, from a room in an Amsterdam apartment to a Croatian vacation home. You can select the type of property using the filters provided, as well as price range and amenities such as laundry facilities or elevator access.
What else is out there!?
For travelers looking for accommodations beyond AirBNB and Sonder, there are several other options available. Couchsurfing is a popular choice for those seeking an immersive experience, as it connects travelers with locals who offer up their homes or extra rooms for free. Hostels offer budget-friendly accommodations and often have social events to help you meet fellow travelers. Vacation rentals are another option; these are typically larger homes or apartments that can accommodate groups of people. And finally, hotels remain the go-to option for traditional lodging in most destinations around the world. No matter what type of traveler you are, there is sure to be an accommodation option that suits your needs perfectly!
In conclusion, no matter what type of traveler you are, there is a vast array of vacation rental options available to suit your needs. From traditional hotels to Couchsurfing with locals, Kid and Coe to BoutiqueHomes or FlipKey to Wimdu, travelers have plenty of choices when it comes to finding the perfect accommodation for their holiday. With all these options at hand, there's sure to be something that meets everyone's budget and travel style!
