Airbnbs Have Vibes—But Hotels Feel Like Vacation
by: Amber S.
Read time: 4 min
Published: 6/17/25
When it comes to traveling, I’m not what you’d call a frequent flier, but I’ve been around the block. I head out of state a few times a year. I’ve been to six countries outside of home sweet home. I’ve stayed overnight in everything from cheap hostels to Disney resorts to quaint German B&Bs. I use both Airbnb and hotels. And while I’m typically an “on the go” type of traveler, for those times when I’m at home base, hotels often beat out any other type of accommodation. Here’s why.
1) You Breathed the Air? That’ll Be $50
When Airbnb first came around, it was touted as a cheaper alternative to hotels. In 2025, this is no longer the case. If you’re splitting with a larger group, sure, you can save money over everyone booking a separate hotel room. But if you’re a solo traveler or a couple, you’re probably paying just as much for your Airbnb as you would for a hotel room.
Why?
Fees. Cleaning fees. Local tax fees. Airbnb service fees.
I’m not saying it doesn’t make sense—hosts are in it to make money after all, and if they’re renting their property, they have to pay for cleaning services. But with all the associated fees and extras, you can quickly find yourself paying just as much as if you’d just booked a hotel room. And even when Airbnbs charge cleaning fees, they still typically come with required chores like taking out the trash, stripping beds, doing dishes, etc., lest you be charged another fee.
Which brings me to my next point…
2) I Don’t Want to Cook or Clean While Traveling
Most travel happens for one of two reasons: work or leisure. I don’t know about you, but when I’m at a work conference or professional event, I don’t feel like doing extra chores or cooking elaborate meals. If anything, this goes double when I’m on vacation. (Full disclosure, I am someone who cooks to live, not lives to cook.)
I fully acknowledge that you can save money by grocery shopping and cooking at an Airbnb, as opposed to a hotel where you pretty much have to eat out every meal. In fact, this is one of the easiest ways to save money while traveling, and I have absolutely opted for this when on a budget.
That said, there are times when dining out is part of the experience. When the allure of certain places is the food and drink, the last thing I want to do is load up on the grocery store staples I eat every week and spend hours inside cooking and then cleaning up.
3) Things Rarely Go According to Plan
…And hotels have the staff on hand to help. Forget your razor? Need an extra blanket? Not sure how to use the thermostat?
Some Airbnbs are well-stocked with “emergency” supplies and how-to handbooks for guests, but not all are. While little mishaps aren’t the end of the world, when you’re far from home, these small things can feel like a much bigger deal. As an example, I once got stranded overnight in a Chicago snowstorm when my flight got cancelled out of O’Hare—without my luggage. The hotel staff kindly gave me a toothbrush, paste, and other toiletries so I could get cleaned up. After ten-plus hours of travel, stress, and exhaustion, this little human kindness made me want to weep.
Another time, I rented a downstairs Airbnb unit for a week-long trip out of state. The first night, the couple renting the upper unit smoked (pungently), argued (loudly), and puked (repeatedly). I would have loved to switch rooms, had there been a room to switch to. But there was little the host could do except ask the tenants upstairs to smoke, fight, and vomit more discreetly. If this had occurred in a hotel, I likely would have been able to switch rooms and get a good night’s sleep that week.
4) A Little Extra Comfort is Nice
I’m not saying you can’t find extras at Airbnbs—you absolutely can. But many hotels throw in extras like coffee bars, continental breakfast, and fitness centers for guests at no additional cost. These may or may not be important to you, but they’re worth considering in your cost-benefit analysis. (And again, as a self-professed lazy cook, I’m all for not cooking breakfast myself.)
5) Character vs Consistency
I get it—those cottagecore tiny house photos are Pinterest-worthy. And no doubt, some Airbnbs are full of charm and character.
On the other hand, sometimes character isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Most hotels work pretty much the same, but every house has its own quirks and differences. At home, you probably spent the first month figuring out how to get the perfect shower temperature, which light is controlled by that panel, and how to get that tricky door to lock. At an Airbnb, you don’t have that kind of time, and when you want hot water and consistent pressure, you want it now.
Conclusion
Overall, there’s no perfect way to travel. Each option comes with its own benefits and drawbacks. There will certainly be times in the future I opt for an Airbnb, as well as plenty of times I’ll stick with a trusted hotel. It just depends what I’m there for and how I want to experience the area.
If you’re in the Hermann, MO area and looking for a clean, friendly, zero-chores kind of stay? The Brady Hotel has you covered.