Airbnb's popularity has grown rapidly in recent years. As of June 2018, more than 73 million people have booked stays on Airbnb, and its users have already spent a cumulative total of one billion nights in other people's homes. Whether you're an avid traveler or just someone who enjoys exploring your local neighborhood and meeting new people, renting a house or apartment on Airbnb could be a great option for you. What is Airbnb? What alternatives to Airbnb are there?
What is Airbnb?
Airbnb is a peer-to-peer online marketplace that allows hosts to rent out all or part of their home to guests.. The website acts as a mediator of the agreements, and the hosts and guests can select the conditions of their stay, including the length of their stay, the cost per night and the dates of the stay. The website also allows users to leave reviews after their stay, and hosts can leave reviews for their guests. Airbnb keeps a percentage of each transaction, and hosts pay a fee to list their properties. According to the company's website, the average Airbnb host earns about $9.500 a year, and Airbnb has facilitated more than 260 million guest stays in more than 81.000 cities and 191 countries.
Advantages of renting a house on Airbnb
Between the advantages of using Airbnb are:
- Airbnb house rentals are more affordable: If you want to visit a popular tourist destination like Paris or New York, renting a house on Airbnb can be a more affordable option than staying in a hotel. Airbnb also offers more affordable options for visiting smaller cities like Savannah or Austin.
- Airbnb hosts have specialties: If you have an interest or hobby, you might be able to find a host who has a special skill or collection related to your interests. For example, if you are a baseball fan visiting New York City, you could stay in a home owned by a former baseball player.
- In this way, you can live a more authentic local experience: If you want to get to know a new culture better, renting a house on Airbnb may be a better option than staying in a traditional hotel. Guests who rent homes on Airbnb may have more opportunities to visit nearby attractions and meet other people.
- Airbnb offers more privacy than a hotel: Hotels often have schedules and policies that could conflict with your schedule and daily plans. Renting a private home on Airbnb can give you more freedom to plan your day and do what you want.
- Airbnb hosts often have services and features that hotels lack: Many Airbnb hosts provide items like coffee, snacks, toiletries, and more. Some Airbnb hosts also offer free WiFi and special features like hammocks and fire pits.
Disadvantages of renting a house on Airbnb
But not everything is advantages, too there are disadvantages why some may try to look for alternatives:
- Airbnb guests are usually responsible for cleaningNote: Most Airbnb hosts will provide cleaning supplies, but guests must clean themselves. If you're not used to cleaning, this could be a problem.
- Airbnb hosts may have strict cancellation policiesNote: If you decide to cancel your reservation with an Airbnb host, you may have to pay a cancellation fee or forfeit your deposit. Cancellation policy conditions vary from host to host, so please read the cancellation policy before booking.
- Airbnb guests might have to take a chanceNote: Some Airbnb hosts don't offer refunds if something goes wrong with the rental, so guests should be prepared to deal with any issues that arise.
- Airbnb guests may not have access to hotel servicesNote: If you're in town for a conference, business trip, or other important event, you might be disappointed if you have to leave your Airbnb rental to go to the conference.
The best alternatives to Airbnb
Finally, to show some good alternatives to Airbnb, we have to highlight:
Booking
If you travel often, you may be familiar with booking apps like Airbnb and HomeAway. These are online marketplaces where hosts list their properties for rent and you can book them directly through the app. The app makes it easy to find and book your trip, and you can also pay through it. Airbnb is one of the most popular booking applications, with more than 100 million guests worldwide. If you don't travel much, but are thinking of renting out your home while you're out of town, you can also use a booking app as a host. The booking app makes it easy to manage your rental and you don't have to worry about finding guests.
Hotels.com
If you want to book a hotel, try this app. This app has the best deals available on hotels near your location. You can find your hotel near your location, book it and get additional benefits too. This app is available on Android and iOS devices. You can book a hotel with Airbnb, but this app also helps you find a great deal for your reservation. This app can find you a great deal for your reservation and even offers you the best available room. You can also filter your searches through this app to get the best results.
TripAdvisor
If you are looking for the best hotels near your location, then try this app. You can search for hotels near your location and book your stay. This app is available on Android and iOS devices. You can also find great deals on hotels near your location. You can also find reviews and ratings of hotels near your location to choose the best. You can also filter your searches through this app to get the best results. This app also helps you find information about nearby attractions. You can also find information about local transportation through this app. This app is useful when you are traveling to a new place and want to explore the place.
HotelTonight
If you want to find the best hotel deals near your location, then try this app. This app is available on Android and iOS devices. You can also find great deals on hotels near your location. You can also find reviews and ratings of hotels near your location to choose the best. You can also filter your searches through this app to get the best results. This app not only helps you find hotels near your location, but also helps you choose the best hotel based on your needs and budget. This app is useful when you are traveling to a new place and want to explore the place.
