Airbnb vs Hotel -Which one is better?

“In the 21st century, thanks to the innovation of the new generations, travellers now have more choices than ever before. However, here comes the question - is Airbnb or hotel a better alternative for your vacation?”

by Javen Loh, Marketing Manager of White Forest Suites, 16/10/20

The idea of Airbnb sprouted when two youngsters, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia hosted the first homestay for their guests where other hotels were sold out during a weekend. This homestay concept has gone insane in no time as Airbnb has now become the world's largest platform that offers over 7 million accommodations worldwide, each powered by local hosts with their unique offerings in terms of design, location, services etc.

Why is Airbnb better than Hotels?

Before going on a vacation, there is a list of considerations one must take into account:

- Where to stay?

- Is it suitable for my purpose of travelling? - Is it children/pet friendly? - How is the rating & review? - Are there cheaper and better options?

The list of factors goes on an on........

So, what makes people nowadays to opt for Airbnb rather than hotels?

1) Price

First of all, of course it is because of the PRICING! Airbnb tends to cost significantly lesser when compared to hotels, particularly the prestigious ones. With the same amount of budget, say RM200+, you may get a fairly sufficient space in a hotel vs a spacious unit that comes with extra facilities such as kitchen or private pool at local homestays. While allowing you to rent the entire house or apartment, it turns out to be a lot cheaper especially when you are travelling in a large group! Some hosts even allow for negotiation for those who are looking for longer stay.

2) Flexibility

Having adapted to the new norm with SOP and social distancing in place, Airbnb is definitely a better option as most of the hosts has adopted hassle free self check-in procedure for their guests. For those to arrive during late night or depart early in the morning, they could access to the accommodation easily at their convenience.

This 'Outside the Box' concept not only provides convenience to the travellers, but also a great way to support homeowners as well as local business. There are strict limitations on building hotels whereas homestay could be located anywhere! The true freedom is when one is allowed to choose based on our own preferences. Despite the fact that hotels are all around the city center, some may prefer to stay around somewhere that is more quiet or away from the crowd. Hence, don't you worry about not being able to find a perfect staycation!

3) Resources

If you think that only hotels could provide the best services in terms of facilities or information - you are wrong! Airbnb is basically a hotel, hosted by a homeowner or homestay operator. Whether you are a host or a guest, Airbnb is a secured platform for you to make transactions and you can always contact the customer service should any issue arises before, during or even after your trip. In addition, since Airbnb allows for different types of property to be hosted, one may find that some even come with facilities and amenities that are comparable to those of five-star hotels!

Given a wide range of selection across the platform, How Do I Choose?

Well, Airbnb has made things easy for you by awarding the title of "Super Host" for those who constantly receive good review from their guests. It helps travellers by filtering out potentially poor accommodations. As a traveller, all you need to do is look at their photos and the reviews to determine which one is the accommodation that best suits your vacation! Photos and reviews are the best indicators of what exactly do they offer. So, why not give it a try? -> www.airbnb.com/p/whiteforestsuites