Hotels vs. STRs

David J. Danto

Travel thoughts in my own, personal opinion

eMail: ddanto@IMCCA.org Follow Industry News: @NJDavidD on all

Hotels vs. STRs – October 2024

This is likely the new Less Filling – Tastes Great argument. It's a showdown with plenty of drama, a few questionable characters, and a host of quirks (or the quirks of hosts for that matter.) Both options have their perks and pitfalls, which I’ll examine below.

Airbnb kicked off the STR (Short Term Rental) phenomenon in 2008, when the founders rented out an air mattress in their San Francisco living room to make some extra cash. Since then, it’s exploded into a global phenomenon where anyone with a spare room – or even a tent – can become a host. It's not just a trend, it’s a lifestyle that disrupted the hospitality industry faster than you could say, “Is there an upgrade available?” Now, travelers are often left deciding between a tried-and-true hotel or a quirky, sometimes questionable, STR experience. Let’s compare:

Hotels are better because:

You know exactly what you're getting. There’s a certain comfort in predictability – like knowing that "continental breakfast" is code for sad pastries and coffee.
Chain hotels come with corporate governance, which means there are standards. This usually translates to things like cleanliness, safety, and functional Wi-Fi (even if you have to pay for it.)
Points, perks, and status recognition can elevate a stay from "meh" to "Yasss!" There's nothing like getting that room upgrade because you stayed so much in one year that you’ve earned the right to gaze upon the skyline or use the lounge.
There’s usually staff to assist you (even if these days it’s getting harder to find them.)
Hotels are purpose-built for accommodating guests, with amenities and facilities designed to make short stays more comfortable.

Hotels are worse because:

Prices have become downright ludicrous. Between resort fees, parking fees, and surprise fees, your $250-a-night room can quickly turn into a $500-a-night regret.
Service has been slashed. Daily room cleaning? You wish. These days, you're lucky if the trash is emptied every other day. The staff is just as angry about this, so you may run into the random job action in protest.
Calling a hotel for help often feels like trying to reach someone who changed their number, moved overseas, and went off-grid. Good luck. (I’m serious here – try calling any hotel to ask a question. The best hotels – and I’m talking Hilton Curio collection just yesterday – has a “press 0” option that just rings and rings then goes back to the menu.)
Parking in city-center hotels is an exercise in highway robbery – except you're not on the highway.

STRs like Airbnb and Vrbo are better because:

They offer diverse options, from cozy studios to sprawling homes that can accommodate your entire extended family and their drama.
When you're traveling with a group, STRs often make more economic sense. Why book three hotel rooms when you can rent a house with a kitchen, a backyard, and maybe even a hot tub?
You can score a stay right next to the attraction or conference you're visiting – no more 45-minute cab rides to the venue because all the hotels nearby were booked.

STRs are worse because:

There’s no guarantee you’ll reach the host if something goes wrong. STR customer service can feel more elusive than that one sock that disappeared in the laundry.
Hosts can cancel your booking at the last minute, citing everything from “family emergencies” to “my cousin’s band is crashing at the place.”
Cleaning fees are a deal-breaker for short stays. That $90-a-night room might have a $150 cleaning fee tacked on, making you wonder if they hired a cleaning service or a restoration team.
Some cities, like New York, limit short-term rentals only to stays of 30 days or more. No quick getaways here, folks.

But then there’s the wild card of STR customer service – or more specifically the lack of it. There's a certain infamous tale circulating on LinkedIn about a traveler who only managed to resolve an issue with Airbnb after personally connecting with a founder. Yes, it seems like "Founder Mode" is a thing now – where your complaints only get attention if you have some insider pull. For everyone else, good luck. You’re more likely to receive an automated message than real help. Check out this eye-opening post on LinkedIn about "Founder Mode". It describes the absolutely abysmal support one can expect from Airbnb if something goes wrong, and includes many comments either extolling or decrying the obvious privilege.

In the end, whether you’re going with a five-star hotel or a five-star treehouse, just remember: It’s all about the experience. Or at least, that's what they'll tell you when they're upselling that $12 bottle of water in the mini-fridge or charging you a cleaning fee that lets them throw out and replace all the rugs. Both hotels and STRs have their strengths and weaknesses, and as in most things travel-related, “Your Mileage May Vary.” Some love the reliability of hotels, while others relish the uniqueness of an Airbnb stay. However, if there’s one thing everyone can agree on, it’s that both choices are far better than falling for investing in timeshares.

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This article was written by David Danto and contains solely his own, personal opinions.

All image and links provided above as reference under prevailing fair use statutes.

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