Vacation Rentals vs. Hotels: What’s Best for Your Family?

Are you planning your next family trip and can’t decide between vacation rentals (like Airbnb) or hotels? I’ve tried both, and there are major pros and cons when looking at vacation rentals vs hotels for families. I’ll take you through everything in this article.

So first- imagine a home away from home, with space for the kids to run around, a kitchen to cook in and the privacy to chill after a long day of exploring. The next, picture room service, housekeeping and amenities like a gym, swimming pools and restaurants. And someone is always on hand to help just a phone-call away. Both sound good, don’t they? I’m definitely more of a hotel person naturally, but my needs did change after having babies. 

Whether you’re looking for a beach house, an apartment for a city break or resort suite.. this guide is going to help you make the right decision for your holiday.

Read on to find out the pros and cons of vacation rentals and hotels, and how to choose the perfect accommodation for your next family trip!

Vacation Rentals: A Home Away from Home

Vacation or holiday rentals have soared in popularity with families in recent years. But what are they, exactly? And why might they be the best option for your family trip?

What are Vacation Rentals?

Vacation rentals are private properties owned by individuals that are rented out to people travelling, generally for short term stays. They can be apartments, houses, villas or even crazy cool places like treehouses or houseboats. I’ve even seen a couple of lighthouses available for rent! Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO have made it super easy to find and book these properties. 

Pros of Choosing a Vacation Rental

1. Space and Privacy: One of the biggest benefits of holiday rentals is the space they can offer. You’ll typically have separate bedrooms, a living area and often outdoor spaces like patios or gardens. In contrast, hotel rooms or family suites will be limited to 1-2 sleeping spaces.
2. Kitchen Facilities: Having a full kitchen means you can cook meals. I personally find this handy because it’s so hard to find fresh baby food/ puree when on holiday. Having a kitchen with a microwave, and being able to cook and blend vegetables is therefore so important. A kitchen also gives you the option to make your own meals. This makes things more convenient and is friendlier on the wallet than restaurants every night.
3. Home-like Amenities: Many rentals come with washing machines and dryers, and often travel cots. That makes things super convenient when you’re away with mini humans who get messy and could need multiple outfit changes a day
4. Local Experience: Staying in a residential area can give you a bit more of a local experience.
5. Cost Effective for Larger Groups: For families or groups renting a whole house, it can often be cheaper than booking multiple hotel rooms.

Cons of Vacation Rentals

1. No Services: Unlike hotels, rentals don’t offer daily housekeeping or room service. Unless you’re only renting one room in the house, the owner is unlikely to be there. So if you have any issues it may take longer to get things resolved. And when you’re on holiday with kids, the last thing you want to have to deal with is property issues!
2. Inconsistent Quality: The quality and cleanliness of rentals can be all over the place. The past reviews and star rating should give you a good level of confidence with what you’re booking though.
3. Cancellations: Hosts can cancel reservations up to the last minute, which can be suuuper stressful when planning a family trip. If you have flights booked already and need to find a last minute hotel, that could really bump up the price of your holiday.
4. Unpredictable: Each rental is unique so you might encounter unexpected quirks or issues.

Hotels: The Classic Family Vacation

Hotels have been the family holiday staple for years, and for very good reason. Let’s look at why they remain the popular choice and what they offer families.

Pros of Staying in Hotels

1. Convenient Services: Hotels provide daily housekeeping, room service and a concierge. There is often a 24 hour reception desk to help you with needs, day or night.
2. Predictable Standards: With chain hotels in particular, you know you’ll get a fairly consistent experience and level of service, and comfort across locations. Essentially, you know what you’re getting!
3. On-site Amenities: Many hotels have pools, gyms and fitness areas, and restaurants. If you book a particularly family-focused hotel, they’re likely to have kids clubs too.
4. Loyalty Programs: Frequent travelers can earn points, which in turn can get you free stays or upgrades.
5. 24/7 Support: There’s always someone available if you need help.

Cons of Hotels for Families

1. Limited Space: Standard hotel rooms can feel on the smaller side for families, especially for longer stays. If you’re all in one room, and have a baby who goes to sleep at one time, a toddler who sleeps at another time, and adults who are definitely not ready to sleep yet… This could pose some challenges!
2. Higher Meal Costs: Eating out for every meal can add up fast.
3. Lack of Baby-Friendly Food:
4. Less Privacy: Thin walls and shared common areas mean less privacy than a vacation rental.
5. No Home-like Amenities: Most hotel rooms don’t have kitchens or laundry.

Things to Consider When Choosing Between Vacation Rentals and Hotels

When choosing between a vacation rental and a hotel for your family trip:

1. Duration

For short stays (1-3 nights) hotels might be more convenient. You may not need laundry services. Eating in restaurants for a few nights in a row isn’t too costly. For longer stays vacation rentals offer better value and comfort.

2. Family Size and Makeup

Larger families or multi generational families might like the space and separate bedrooms of a vacation rental. Families with very young children could prefer the conveniences of a hotel.

3. Destination

In cities, hotels have the potential to be more central. In beach or mountain destinations holiday rentals can have better views, and access to the outdoors.

4. Budget

Calculate the total cost, including meals and extras. While vacation rentals might be more per night, the ability to cook meals can add up to big savings.

5. Amenities

If a pool or fitness centre is a must have, a hotel is likely the way to go. If you need a full kitchen or want a more home-like experience opt for a renting a place.

6. Travel Style

Ask yourself this: Do you prefer a more curated, service oriented experience (hotel) or a more independent, local experience (vacation rental)?

Booking Tips for the Perfect Family Accommodation

Whether you choose a vacation rental or hotel here are some tips to help you book the best:

1. Read Reviews Carefully: Pay particular attention to reviews from other families.
2. Check the Cancellation Policy: Flexibility is key when traveling with kids. If they become suddenly way too unwell to travel, you need to be able to have other options.
3. Look for Family-Friendly Amenities: Cribs / cots, high chairs, childproofing in the room, black out blinds. These can all make a big difference, and mean you don’t have to pack so much.
4. Consider the Location: Proximity to attractions, restaurants and public transport can make a big impact. Particularly with children, you want to less time traveling to activities, and more time actually in the activities.
5. Communicate with the Host or Hotel: Don’t hesitate to ask about family-friendly features or services. If they don’t have them, maybe they can source them for your arrival?
6. Compare Prices Across Platforms: Prices can vary so definitely check multiple sites before booking. For hotels, I’d look at their own site, but also expedia and booking.com just to check the best rates.
7. Look for Specials: Many hotels and vacation rental platforms offer family packages or seasonal discounts.

Make the Most of It

Once you’ve chosen between a vacation rental and a hotel here are some tips to make the most of your family experience and time away:

For Vacation Rentals:

1. Bring some familiar items from home to make the space feel like home for your kids.
2. Plan a grocery run soon after you arrive, to stock up on milk, coffee, fruit etc.
3. Take advantage of your host’s local knowledge. Ask for family friendly restaurants, and recommendations for kid friendly activities.

For Hotels

1. Ask for a room away from elevators and ice machines for a quieter stay.
2. Ask about family friendly activities or services the hotel offers.
3. Request for rooms that have safety latches on any windows, and air-con machines on the wall rather than ground. 
4. Bring some snacks for in-room treats, to save raiding the mini-bar!

Conclusion: Choosing the Perfect Home Away from Home for Your Family

The decision of choosing between a vacation rental and a hotel for your family trip is a tough one. But it doesn’t have to keep you up at night… By considering your family’s size, budget and travel style, you can make an informed decision on what’s best for you. There is no one size fits all answer, and it’s worth trying both while you have young children. This way you can find out what truly works best for your and family.

You’ll also be able to tell which provides a more enjoyable and memorable time for you as a parent. A holiday rental might be perfect for your summer beach trip, but a hotel for that quick city break. The most important thing is you choose an accommodation that allows you the ability to relax. I hope this guide has helped you make a decision!