Airbnb, founded in August 2008, is a unique form of booking and managing accommodation. Basically the service that Airbnb provides is a network or a platform of thousands of accommodation listings, from all over the globe. From there, consumers can decide based on their location, timings and preferences, which accommodation suits them best.
The difference between Airbnb and hotels or booking sites is that Airbnbs are technically homes. They are apartment, room, house, villa listings by individual hosts. Unlike hotels, which are run under a company, every Airbnb has an individual host that has something different to offer in terms of accommodation. Here are 5 reasons why I use Airbnb when travelling.
- Cheaper than a hotel
Easily the number one reason I use Airbnb is that it is cheaper. Airbnb can save you a lot of money if you are a jetsetter or have a wanderlust attitude towards life. Airbnb listings, in the past, have caused me to save up to 50% of my travel budget. Because Airbnbs are run by individual host, they do not charge as much as hotels do. And depending on what your preferences are, you can save a whole lot more. For example, if you do not want the unnecessary amenities of a hotel, you do not need to get them with an Airbnb.
- More space and amenities
Airbnbs are technically homes, in a lot of cases. They are rooms or houses or apartments that people rent off to make some extra cash on the side. With that being said, a home is much more appealing than a hotel room. You get more space with an Airbnb, in some cases.
What a normal 2 person hotel room would cost, you could get an apartment for 4 at an Airbnb. It depends on what you are looking for. Not only that, with a home, you get added amenities such as a kitchen. Therefore if you want to cook on your own, then you can do it, with permission of the host.
- Variety
Most hotel rooms are generally the same, in terms of structure, look and design. There is not much to expect in terms of a hotel room. Yes, all hotels have different individual styles but regardless, they still feel like hotel rooms. But with Airbnb, you get a variety of looks. Different hosts have different ways of decorating their house. It could be modern, traditional, rustic, futuristic, anything at all. They make being away from a home a little easier to cope.
- Assimilate with the locals
Most hotels are located at the heart of a city, or the buzzing and eventful part of the city. While that is great, sometimes when we travel, we just want to get a feel of the country’s local wonders : the people, the food, the culture and the tradition.
Sometimes when you live in a 30-storey hotel building, you can be far from the local life. With an Airbnb, you are living in a local’s home. In a home that has assimilated to the local life. With that, you can explore the country more and see what the country or town or city has to offer. It is a great way to humble yourself.
- Long-term convenience
Imagine booking a stay at a hotel for 2 weeks. Now that will cost you a kidney, depending on the hotel. If you are looking to have a long-term stay, Airbnb is the way to go. Their rates vary depending on a number of factors including the host.
But rates can be compromised or changed to suit your needs. Many of the times, when you are looking for an extended stay at an Airbnb, the rates are favourable to you. Therefore, there is some long-term convenience to an Airbnb, similar to a homestay.
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Article is written by:
Fatin Najwa binti Daud, is a medical student studying at IMU Malaysia. She is a freelance writer of this blog at Zaahara. Interests include music, art, sports and travel.
-Photos are taken from google images
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