Is Airbnb Causing Problems for the Hotel Industry

There has been a tried and true philosophy when it comes to traveling; we book a flight and a hotel. With this way of thinking, we are subject to whatever exorbitant rates that the hotel of our choice is charging and we pay it because we don’t have a plethora of options to consider. That’s the way it used to be, anyway. This isn’t the rule anymore; it’s turning out to be the exception with sites like Airbnb and VRBO offering cheap travel options by renting from a homeowner in our chosen area. Are people still renting hotel rooms, or is AirBNB causing problems for the hotel industry?

Direct rentals have a specific need in the hospitality industry and the advantages are numerous. Here are just a few that they have to offer.

The Numerous Pros

• They’re Cheaper –Renting directly from a homeowner in the area is often a great deal cheaper than what the local hotels have to offer. Often, there are deals offered for extended stays and multiple bedrooms are available. Where you would normally have to rent multiple rooms to house the entire family for the duration of your vacation, Airbnb allows you to find a home that can fit your entire party.
• They Have Kitchens –A kitchen may not seem like an advantage on vacation, but it is. You won’t have to add the cost of breakfasts and lunches into your travel budget because you’ll have the space to store some groceries to cook at home. Rather than eating every meal on the run, you’re more than able to feed your family without spending a boatload of money to do so. If you don’t want to cook, at least there is the possibility to store leftovers from high-end meals, an amenity that is not always included in hotel stays. The kitchens are also fully equipped.
• They’re Full Service –Very much like hotels, rentals from Airbnb include all the amenities. They usually come stocked with towels, washcloths, and sheets. Most of the rentals charge a cleaning fee so you’re not required to ensure the property’s cleanliness before you depart. While they don’t offer the convenience of a daily maid service, it’s a relief that you won’t be running the vacuum on the last day of your vacation.
• Multiple Bathrooms –Typically, if you rent a multiple bedroom unit, there is more than one bathroom. This means you’re not sharing a bathroom amongst the family of five. It may not be a relief for everyone shopping for a rental property but for those used to more than one facility, it’s a tremendous load off their mind and can often avoid a lot of fighting among the family members.
• Travel Insurance –When booking a property on Airbnb, travel insurance is offered to secure your financial transaction should anything go wrong on your end or on the end of the homeowner. It will require some red tape and you’ll need to pay close attention to the cancellation policies, but it’s nice to know that you’re not renting from some fly by night organization.
• Comprehensive and Recent Photos –Unlike hotel photos, which tend to be stock images taken when the hotel first opened, the photos on Airbnb are usually pretty recent and highlight the attributes of the property. You can typically view the property from multiple angles, see every room, and know what to expect before you check in.

There may not be room service or a daily maid, but renting directly from the owner of the property means that you’re in direct contact if something goes wrong. Another plus is that there is often an in-house laundry facility, thus cutting down on the amount of clothing you have to bring along and also the amount of baggage fees for which you will be responsible. If you’re looking for something a little bigger and better than the traditional hotel experience, Airbnb may be the hospitality industry’s best-kept secret.