Should You Stay in a Hotel or Airbnb for Spring Break?

When it comes to traveling for spring break, one of the most expensive elements of your trip is likely to be your lodging. It may be tempting to choose a place based on cost alone, but where you stay can make or break the overall enjoyment of the trip, so it’s important to consider other elements, too.

Airbnb vs. Hotel: Pros and Cons

When deciding between an Airbnb or a hotel, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of what kind of trip you’re planning and what you want out of your accommodations. This can make your choice between the two easier, especially when price and location are comparable. This list of pros and cons can help you pick the right place.

Airbnb Pros and Cons

For most folks booking a longer vacation, the main selling point of a vacation rental is square footage. As any parent can attest, sharing a single hotel room with kids can present challenges when it comes to managing bedtimes, play spaces and food preferences. 

In an Airbnb, you typically have a kitchen, bedrooms and a separate living space. This arrangement offers adults room to relax after the kids are asleep, provides flexibility for food preparation and often has games or toys to help keep kids entertained. 

The downside, though, is that you’re not off the hook for typical household chores, so staying in an Airbnb may feel a bit less like being on vacation than if you were in a full-service hotel with daily housekeeping and room service.  

Hotel Pros and Cons

While a hotel room may be smaller than an Airbnb, it typically makes up for the lack of space with services and amenities. Depending on the type of hotel you choose, you may have access to multiple restaurants, a pool, a spa and things like fresh towels and turndown service. 

Hotels also tend to be more consistent and reliable with their offerings than vacation rentals, which can offer peace of mind for anxious travelers. 

But there are downsides to hotels, too. Most hotel rooms lack kitchens and separate living areas, which means you’ll need to pay for every meal at a restaurant, and you’ll likely be sharing a single room with your fellow travelers. 

Is It Cheaper to Rent an Airbnb or Hotel?

It depends. If you’re on a longer vacation and are committed to stocking up on groceries and preparing many of your meals yourself, booking an Airbnb with a kitchen can save you a lot of money in the long run. 

If you’re planning on adventuring all day and just need a place to lay your head each night, a basic hotel room might suffice. Before making your reservation, learn how to curb lodging costs with these tips.

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance can provide essential protection in cases of accident and emergency, but it’s not needed for every trip. Your local Farm Bureau agent can help you figure out if travel insurance is worth it for your spring break excursion so you can focus on the fun.