8 Cities To Skip Getting an Airbnb If You Want To Save Money
Written by
Brooke Barley
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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You might think you’ll save money by renting an Airbnb on your next vacation. You don’t have to pay resort fees, and if your rental comes with parking, you also get to skip on expensive parking fees. But there are some cities where getting an Airbnb might actually be a bad idea. Here are the cities that travel experts recommended you don’t get an Airbnb.
Also, check out the cities where renting out your own home to others on Airbnb might not be worth it.
New York
Looking to hit the Big Apple? Justin Crabbe, the CEO and founder of Jettly, said renting an Airbnb in New York City could wind up ruining your vacation.
“[Because of] strict short-term rental laws, many listings are illegal.” Crabbe said that increases the risk of your reservation being canceled.
Plus, Crabbe said Airbnbs in New York are often more expensive than hotels, which he said is the better option.
San Francisco
Łukasz Koszyk, the head of business development at Comfort Pass, recommended staying in hotels in San Francisco for increased safety.
“The safety and convenience of a neighborhood can vary greatly, sometimes even within a single block,” he explained. “When new travelers use Airbnb, they run the risk of staying in less appealing neighborhoods. Hotels are typically found in well-known areas with security and convenient access to local attractions.”
Emily Dreilich, a travel writer for Voyagers Travel, added that hotels also can add more to your vacation experience. “I noticed that in San Francisco, hotel prices can actually be more competitive than Airbnb, especially with all the added cleaning and service fees that Airbnb tacks on. Plus, I think hotels offer better amenities and a more consistent experience in this city.”
Tokyo
In Tokyo, there are simply more options for hotels than there are for Airbnbs.
“I was surprised to discover that Tokyo’s complex licensing requirements for Airbnb hosts can limit options, especially for short stays,” Dreilich said. “Traditional hotels or ryokans offer a more seamless experience with guaranteed quality and service, which I think is worth the extra cost.”
Barcelona, Spain
Airbnb doesn’t have a great reputation in other parts of the world. That’s what Dreilich found to be the case in Barcelona.
“When I visited Barcelona, I found that Airbnb has faced significant backlash from locals due to over-tourism and rising rent prices,” she said. “This has led to strict regulations and a limited number of legal Airbnbs. Staying in a licensed hotel or hostel felt like a more responsible choice, and I didn’t have to worry about whether my booking was legitimate.”
Paris
Some travelers might think staying in a home in their destination gives a more authentic experience, but that’s not the case in Paris.
“Paris has plenty of hotels available — many with better value than anything found on Airbnb,” said Mohd Rizwan, travel expert and director at Travelosei. “They are built around the rich history and tradition of this city, so they can offer a more authentic stay, as well as have higher service performance, since their management standards were confirmed many years back.”
London
Rizwan said that the hotels in London are close to everywhere travelers want to be. “Based on my experience staying with Airbnb in London, if you’re planning a trip to the city soon, there’s so much public transport and bargain-priced hotels that this could be all you need.
“Hotels offer other conveniences, too, such as concierge service and greater ease of access to major sights — all the trappings that can create an enticing travel experience for a lot of travelers.”
Sydney
Expense is, yet again, the reason why Rizwan said it’s better to rent a hotel in Sydney.
“In Sydney, with high demand and premium location, it can be quite expensive,” he said. “At times, the classic hotels indeed provide better value, because they come with additional perks and a few useful services, such as hybrid-type features or onsite fitness centers that throw in free breakfasts, which can be especially convenient for touring guests.”
Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand
If you’re looking for luxury in Phuket, you might want to opt for a hotel over an Airbnb experience.
“I lived in Patong Beach (Phuket), Thailand for two months in 2019, and I would 100% book hotels over Airbnbs all over Thailand, but especially in Phuket,” said Madison Krigbaum, the owner and sole-author of Madison’s Footsteps Travel Blog. “This is one of the priciest areas of Thailand, but Airbnb’s seem to be more affected by the increased cost of living than hotels.
“I’ve found hotels in this area of Thailand to be extremely affordable and much more luxurious than Airbnbs and apartment rentals. There are also tons of hotels centrally located near the beach in this location, while many Airbnbs are less conveniently located in other parts of town. Many hotels in Phuket also offer affordable room service and in-room mini fridges, where the cost of a local beer is oftentimes around $0.80.”
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