Hotels VS Hostels VS Airbnbs: Which Accommodation Should You Choose?

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The accommodation you choose can have a huge impact on your trip, and these days there are more options than ever. Hotels, hostels, holiday rentals (Airbnb etc), resorts and more are vying for your accommodation dollar — I’m here to help you choose the right one!

Price

If money is your biggest problem then a dorm room in a hostel is bound to sound tempting. Sleeping with a whole bunch of strangers isn’t for everyone though, especially for more than a night or two. The downsides of sleeping in close proximity to a dozen strangers are obvious, but the social aspect makes it a great option for meeting people. 

If price is a factor but you want a private room look for cheap hotels, cabins in camping grounds and private rooms in hostels. I usually go for budget hotels when I travel these days, but even during my backpacking trips in my 20s I tried to avoid dorms. I stayed in lots of private rooms in hostels and loved the social aspect while still having my own space. You can still stay at most hostels when you’re older although you’ll be surrounded by young people. I might stay in a dorm these days before or after a flight or if I’m somewhere expensive and want to save money (and my wife isn’t with me!).

READ MORE: Colombia to Patagonia: Overland Travel in South America

Convenience

It’s a hard to look past a well-located hotel when you’re talking about convenience while travelling. You don’t need to make small talk with the host (can be a problem with Airbnb) and it’s obviously a lot less social than hostels in terms of meeting other travellers. Hotels are generally more abundant than other accommodation options and they’re easy to book with sites like booking.com  — look for hotels with free cancellation!

Fun

Hostels are your best bet if looking to meet other travellers for nights out or daytime exploring. Guesthouses are similar. I’ve stayed at lots in Southeast Asia — they’re like budget hotels often with a restaurant or other common areas. Easier to meet people than in hotels but not as social as hostels.

READ MORE: Is it Easy to Meet Other People While Travelling Solo?

Camping grounds are also good for meeting other travellers. They might have pools, hot tubs, game rooms or other common areas where people mingle. A massive downside to camping grounds is they’re usually located away from built-up areas, so you might need your own transport.

Long Trips / Big Groups

For long stays in one location it could be a good idea to stay in an Airbnb/ holiday rental. It may work out cheaper than a comparable hotel and should be able to feel more at home than you would in a hotel. One thing to lookout for is the actual setup of the house. Will you have the whole house or just a small part? Is there separate access? Are the owners in the room above listening to everything? There is far more potential for things to go wrong in a holiday rental!

Holiday rentals are perfect for groups who want to stay together. It can be a lot of fun having a place to enjoy with your friends or family — have some drinks, cook some food, just don’t trash the place too badly!

Resorts / Camping Grounds

I’ll only stay in a (flash) resort if I know I won’t have many plans and can fully enjoy the day relaxing at the resort. During our trip to Rarotonga recently we stayed in a variety of accommodation, with two nights out of nine in a flash beachside resort. We made sure to leave those two days free and did our activities on the other days — it’s a great way to do it if you’re on a budget but still want some luxury.

Camping grounds are often cheap places to stay whether you’re camping or not. In New Zealand (and lots of other places, I’m sure) camping grounds have cabins to stay in. They’re very basic (small rooms, shared bathroom) but cheap and there will be a kitchen so you can save money on eating out.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

95% of the time I’d suggest booking a hotel or a private room in a hostel or guesthouse — you can’t beat the convenience and choice. There are lots of options out there though, so whatever niche holiday you’re about to go on you can be sure there’s an accommodation option to suit.

Are you planning a trip in 2024? Let me know in the comments below!

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Jon Algie

A travel blogger from New Zealand who hates talking about himself in the third person and has no imagination when it comes to naming websites.

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