I’ll be honest: I used to be an Airbnb devotee. The idea of staying in someone’s spare room, getting local tips from my host, and paying less than hotel prices felt like the smart traveler’s secret. But over the past few years, something shifted. What started as occasional frustrations became a pattern I couldn’t ignore anymore.
The final straw? A trip to Lisbon where my $90-per-night listing ballooned to $240 after fees, the wifi was unusable for work calls, and I spent my first morning taking out trash and stripping beds despite paying a $120 cleaning fee. I walked past a boutique hotel down the street advertising rooms for $180 with breakfast included and thought: What am I even doing?
That experience made me rethink everything. I started comparing my Airbnb stays to hotels, guesthouses, and serviced apartments, and I realized I’d been paying more for less. Here’s what changed my mind about Airbnb and what I book now instead.
The Price Isn’t What It Seems Anymore
Remember when Airbnb was the budget-friendly choice? Those days are long gone. I started noticing that the advertised nightly rate rarely matched what I actually paid. A listing showing $100 per night would somehow become $280 for two nights after cleaning fees ($75), service fees (15%), and local taxes.
I began doing side-by-side comparisons with hotels in the same neighborhoods. More often than not, the hotel was either the same price or cheaper, with perks like breakfast, daily housekeeping, and no surprise fees at checkout.
What I learned: Always calculate the total price before getting excited about a nightly rate. The sticker shock at checkout isn’t worth it.
What I choose instead: I filter hotel booking sites by total price and look for properties that include breakfast or have flexible cancellation. Boutique hotels have become my go-to, especially in Europe where they’re often family-run and full of character.
The “Local Experience” Disappeared
Part of Airbnb’s original appeal was the promise of living like a local. I wanted to stay in residential neighborhoods, shop at the corner market, and get insider recommendations from my host. But somewhere along the way, that stopped happening.
Most of my recent Airbnb stays felt like corporate rentals with IKEA furniture, generic artwork, and no host in sight. The “local experience” was reduced to a lockbox code and a PDF with restaurant recommendations copied from TripAdvisor. I wasn’t connecting with anyone or learning anything new about the place I was visiting.
One of my favorite stays last year was at a small guesthouse in Porto. The owner gave me a handwritten list of his favorite bakeries, warned me which streets to avoid at night, and even lent me an umbrella when it started raining. That’s the kind of local connection I thought Airbnb would offer, but it rarely does anymore.
What I learned: If you want authentic local experiences, look for family-run guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, or small boutique properties where the owners are actually present.
What I choose instead: I search for accommodations with “family-owned” or “owner-operated” in the description. These places care about your experience because their reputation depends on it.
Hidden Fees Make Budgeting Impossible
This one drives me crazy. You find a listing that fits your budget, you click through to book, and suddenly there’s a laundry list of extra charges. Cleaning fee, service fee, pet fee, extra guest fee, linen fee it goes on and on.
I stayed at an Airbnb in Barcelona where the $65 nightly rate turned into $140 per night after fees. When I checked into a hotel across town the next week, the rate I saw online was exactly what I paid. No surprises, no hidden costs.
What I learned: Factor in all fees before comparing Airbnb to hotels. The “cheap” listing often isn’t.
What I choose instead: Hotels with transparent pricing or booking platforms that show the full cost upfront. I also look for properties that include taxes and fees in the listed price.
Self Check-In Sounds Convenient Until It Isn’t
Self check-in seemed great in theory. No need to coordinate arrival times, just punch in a code and you’re in. But I learned the hard way that when something goes wrong, there’s no one to help you.
I arrived at an Airbnb in Amsterdam at 11 PM after a long flight. The lockbox code didn’t work. I messaged the host no response. I called the number listed it went to voicemail. I stood outside for 45 minutes trying different combinations before the host finally replied with a different code.
Compare that to checking into a hotel where there’s always someone at the front desk, someone who can fix problems, store your luggage if you arrive early, or recommend a restaurant that’s open late. That peace of mind matters, especially when you’re tired and just want to drop your bags.
What I learned: Convenience without backup support isn’t actually convenient.
What I choose instead: Hotels or guesthouses with 24-hour reception. Even small properties usually have someone available to help if something goes wrong.
The Cleaning Fee Paradox
This might be my biggest pet peeve. Hosts charge cleaning fees that range from $50 to $150, which is supposedly to cover professional cleaning between guests. Yet most Airbnb checkout instructions ask you to strip the beds, take out the trash, run the dishwasher, and sometimes even vacuum.
If I’m paying $100 for cleaning, why am I doing chores on my vacation? Hotels provide fresh towels, make the bed, and clean the bathroom every day without asking you to lift a finger. For the same price or less, I’d rather have that.
What I learned: Read the checkout instructions before booking. If they’re extensive, factor in the time and effort you’ll spend cleaning.
What I choose instead: Hotels with daily housekeeping. I’m on vacation, and I’d rather explore than clean.
Quality Is Too Inconsistent
With hotels, you generally know what to expect based on the brand or star rating. Airbnb is a gamble. I’ve stayed in beautifully maintained apartments and also in places with broken appliances, stained linens, and misleading photos.
Reviews help, but they’re not always reliable. Some listings have suspiciously glowing reviews that don’t match the reality. Others have legitimate complaints buried in the fine print. It takes too much research to feel confident you’re booking something decent.
What I learned: Even highly rated Airbnbs can disappoint. There’s no quality control or standard.
What I choose instead: Hotel chains or booking platforms that vet their properties. If something’s not right, there’s a process for complaints and refunds.
They’re Not Great for Remote Work
I’m a digital nomad, so reliable wifi is non-negotiable. Airbnb listings claim “fast wifi,” but that can mean anything from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps. I’ve had video calls drop mid-sentence and work projects delayed because the internet couldn’t handle a simple upload.
Hotels catering to business travelers usually have dependable internet, and many now offer coworking spaces or business centers. Serviced apartments designed for longer stays also tend to have better infrastructure.
What I learned: “Fast wifi” in an Airbnb listing is often meaningless. Ask for speed test results before booking.
What I choose instead: Serviced apartments or aparthotels that cater to remote workers. Some even advertise their wifi speeds upfront, which is a good sign they understand what digital nomads need.
It’s Gotten Complicated for Group Travel
I used to think Airbnb was perfect for group trips. Rent a house, split the cost, everyone has space. But the reality got messy. Checkout chores multiply with more people, and cleaning fees can be shockingly high for larger properties.
We rented a villa in Tuscany for a friend’s birthday. The listing was stunning, but the checkout instructions were absurd: strip all beds, do all laundry, take out trash, clean the kitchen, and sweep the floors. For seven people, that was hours of work on our last morning, cutting into our travel day.
What I learned: Vacation rentals are great for groups if you’re okay with managing logistics and cleaning. Otherwise, a hotel or resort with multiple rooms is easier.
What I choose instead: Hotels with adjoining rooms or suites, or villa rentals that include housekeeping as part of the rate.
The Ethical Concerns Started Weighing on Me
This one’s more personal, but it matters to me. In cities like Lisbon, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, locals are being priced out of their neighborhoods because landlords can make more money renting to tourists than to residents. I started noticing “No More Airbnbs” graffiti in areas where I stayed, and it made me uncomfortable.
I don’t want my travel to contribute to housing shortages or displace communities. Staying in hotels or locally owned guesthouses feels like a better way to support a destination without harming it.
What I learned: Short-term rentals have real consequences for local communities, and I’d rather spend my money in ways that support, not hurt, the places I visit.
What I choose instead: Hotels, guesthouses, and accommodations that operate legally and contribute to the local economy without displacing residents.
What I Book Instead of Airbnb
So if not Airbnb, then what? Here’s what works for me now:
Boutique Hotels
These are my favorite finds. They’re often independently owned, full of personality, and priced competitively with Airbnbs once you factor in all the fees. Many include breakfast, and the service is usually excellent.
Guesthouses and B&Bs
For that “local experience” Airbnb used to offer, nothing beats a family-run guesthouse. You’ll meet the owners, get genuine recommendations, and feel like you’re part of the community.
Serviced Apartments
Perfect for longer stays or remote work. These come with hotel-like amenities (reception, housekeeping) but give you the space and kitchen of an apartment. No surprise fees, and the wifi is almost always reliable.
Aparthotels
A hybrid between a hotel and an apartment. You get daily cleaning, a kitchenette, and the flexibility to cook your own meals without sacrificing service.
Hostels with Private Rooms
If you’re on a tight budget, hostels have stepped up their game. Many now offer private rooms with ensuite bathrooms at prices lower than Airbnb, plus the social atmosphere if you want it.
Is Airbnb Ever Still Worth It?
To be fair, Airbnb isn’t completely off my radar. There are situations where it still makes sense:
- Unique properties: If I find a treehouse, a lighthouse, or a converted barn that’s truly special, I’ll consider it.
- Large groups: Sometimes a whole house is easier than booking multiple hotel rooms, as long as the cleaning expectations are reasonable.
- Remote locations: In places where hotels don’t exist, Airbnb might be the only option.
But for most of my trips city breaks, work trips, solo travel, I’ve stopped defaulting to Airbnb. The hassle, the fees, and the inconsistency just aren’t worth it anymore.
Final Thoughts
Switching away from Airbnb has made my travels simpler and more enjoyable. I spend less time worrying about lockbox codes, cleaning checklists, and surprise fees, and more time actually exploring. Hotels and guesthouses might not have the novelty factor Airbnb once had, but they deliver on what matters: reliability, transparency, and service.
If you’re frustrated with Airbnb, you’re not alone. Try comparing your next booking with a hotel in the same area and see what you find. You might be surprised by how much better the experience can be when you step outside the Airbnb bubble.
Is Airbnb still cheaper than hotels?
Not usually. Once you add cleaning fees, service fees, and extra guest charges, Airbnb often costs more than a comparable hotel. Always compare the total price before booking.
What’s the best alternative to Airbnb for families?
Aparthotels or serviced apartments work well for families. They offer space, kitchens, and hotel amenities like daily cleaning without the hassle of Airbnb checkout chores.
Why do Airbnb hosts charge cleaning fees if guests have to clean?
This is a common frustration. The cleaning fee is meant to cover deep cleaning, but many hosts still require guests to do basic tidying. If checkout instructions are extensive, consider booking elsewhere.
Are boutique hotels more expensive than Airbnb?
Not necessarily. Boutique hotels are often competitively priced with Airbnbs once you account for fees, and they typically include breakfast and better service.
