Ah, there is so much to say about this perennial prey of real estate philosophy. Which one is better – the homely, IKEA-designed interior of an Airbnb or perhaps the slightly impersonal, but to-the-point atmosphere you find in a hotel? You will hear shots fired from both camps in the direction of the other. Today, we will explore the upsides and downsides of each method. Let’s get started then. We will try to give both arguments equal treatment so that you can enjoy an unbiased final opinion and see how it benefits you and your decision where to stay next.

Airbnb – For or Against?

Now, let’s see what an Airbnb is. It’s a great idea to make money out of your property – or perhaps an extra room. It’s always great to focus on how you can earn a little extra out of owning a bit extra. And so, the idea – the main premise that is – of an Airbnb is somewhat genius. Some might say – but hey, not everyone owns the property. In fact, many people are even struggling to own one single property – what about the luxury of renting those out.

And this is where the first rub in the Airbnb tenet comes in. Many people who have and can afford money have been able to buy an Airbnb property – or two, or even three and more. They rent them at great rates, pushing local prices up and forcing tenants to live with very little – if they can afford it.

Those tenants who actually don’t have the money to keep rent (and are still renting in the area) are forced out, even though they have lived in a certain area their entire life. These are all real downsides. In Places like Barcelona and Venezia, Airbnb has recked the local economy for the hospitality industry and forced communities out of the main areas – historical parts they have lived in for years.

It’s definitely not a pleasant sight. Then again, for any traveler who wants to be private and doesn’t like the impersonal look of hotels, an Airbnb is an awesome place to be. Things are clean, homely, and you get to cook your own food (which could save you a pretty penny, for example). Sure, you have to do most things for yourself, such as organizing the place, unless you prefer to get a bad review on your profile.

So, with this in mind, it will always come down to a choice – are you pro-Airbnb or against it? For example, Airbnb can make it rather difficult to fix an issue. What if you get yourself locked out or the key breaks in? You would need to call a residential locksmith. Now, there are many on-time locksmith services you can use and you will certainly benefit from them.

Yet, you have to run this through your landlord.

Hotels – How About That?

Hotels know that Airbnb is a bit of a bane. Many people like to be private and even party and an Airbnb can offer that. Yet, a hotel has quite straightforward sets of rules. You enter on your own terms and don’t have to wait for your landlord to come and let you in or give you a key.

Hotels often offer great service and breakfast. Let’s face it – breakfast goes a long way, especially if it’s done well and it tastes great. You will definitely appreciate having access to some delightful treats early in the morning (just as soon as you get up).

True, you might have to pay somewhat more on occasion, but a hotel offers a whole lot of things, including a swimming pool and a fitness center, meeting spaces and delightful restaurants. In many ways, a great hotel really does everything better than an Airbnb. True, that individualism spark might be missing if you think about it, but many guests realize that when on holiday, they are not supposed to be isolated from people.

Rather, the opposite is true. Dining or having breakfast with other people can be quite fun and it’s always worthwhile making new friendships while on a trip. Plus, hotels give jobs to a lot of people and seldom imperil the local economies.