Ready for a vacation? You might think twice about booking with popular home-sharing platforms.
What’s cheaper, Airbnb or a hotel? The shocking answer
When Airbnb and Vrbo first hit the scene, they were terrific. It was so much cheaper than staying at a hotel. Now? Hotels are coming back. But why?
For one, there are all the Airbnb horror stories — from hidden cameras to a host secretly living in a rental’s attic. Seriously, it happened. And did you hear about the women renting an old Victorian to celebrate their 50th high school reunion? Instead of a fun time, they got bats. Some of the women were even bitten.
If you love to travel but want to save money, this report is worth paying attention to.
Rentals vs. hotels: What’s cheaper?
Which?, a U.K.-based consumer research group, compared the average price of thousands of hotels with 300,000 Airbnb and Vrbo listings. They also looked at 50 locations over a year to monitor price trends.
Their findings? On average, hotels were less expensive 75% of the time.
Now, a hotel might not always be the best choice — like when you need a big kitchen or want the whole gang in one place. But at the very least, it’s worth checking. It’s time to add hotels back to your radar.
Oh, the places you’ll go!
So, why the rise in Airbnb and Vrbo prices? Several major U.S. cities are placing more restrictions on Airbnb rentals, making it more difficult for property owners to turn a profit. Jacking up rates helps these owners stay afloat.
It’s not just in the U.S. The most significant price difference is in Greece. On the island of Santorini, a one-bedroom rental through a site like Airbnb is roughly $104 more expensive than a hotel room.
The same is true for rentals in other major cities around the globe compared to hotel rooms:
- Amsterdam – $83 higher
- Singapore and London – $75 higher
- Dubai – $70 higher
- San Francisco – $44 higher
How to make money from your car, home, RV and other stuff you own
We could all use a little extra money, but who has the time to pick up a part-time job? The solution is simple: Make passive income by renting stuff you have. Use these apps to earn money without working.
This peer-to-peer marketplace app helps you make money by renting trailers, home improvement tools, adventure gear, heavy equipment and other products you aren’t using. Whenever you list an item, the Equipment Protection Plan covers you against damage and loss for up to $25,000.
Staying in a hotel, Airbnb or rental? Bring this hidden camera detector with you
Summer’s almost here, and you’re likely anxious to get out there and enjoy some good times. We understand.
Before you leave, you want to make sure your home is protected. A surveillance system is a great way to keep tabs on your home and deter crime. But you can’t go placing cameras at random. Tap or click here for our camera placement tips.
10 best travel websites to save you tons of money
Transportation is one of the biggest expenses during a trip, especially if you have to fly. Luckily, there are a ton of tips you can use to slice your costs in half. For example, you can use these discount travel websites to keep your money in your pocket.
Warning signs of an Airbnb or Vrbo scam
Feeling something’s off with your recent reservation? Here’s how to tell if you’ve been duped and what you can do about it.
AirBnb, Vrbo customers beware - creepy new spy cams from Amazon
Booking a stay for your next vacay? Here’s why you’ll need to take a peek around the house.
Hotels come back big time at VRBO & Airbnb's expense
How to detect hidden cameras in Vrbo, Airbnb and vacation rentals
You’re not paranoid — you are being watched. Facial-recognition cameras, store surveillance cameras, traffic cameras and more are all watching all the time.
Adding to the creep factor is the number of cases where cameras have been found in Vrbos, Airbnbs and other vacation rentals. Tap or click here for an Airbnb scam warning.