Hotel vs. Airbnb: 10 Important Things to Consider

Blog written on 19-07-2022

There’s no shortage of accommodation options when traveling. There are options for all kinds of budgets, and Options range from affordable hostels to extravagant hotels. Despite so many options, it usually ends with travellers deciding between a hotel vs. Airbnb in the UAE. This article aims to answer why you should choose one over the other on.

Five Reasons to Choose a Hotel vs. an Airbnb

The word “hotel” elicits images of towering modern structures, lavishly decorated lobbies, and extravagant breakfast buffets. The finest hotels in the UAE treat all their guests like kings and queens. If you want to vacation like royalty, consider this option. Here are five reasons you might want to consider a hotel for your next UAE trip:

All your needs will be taken care of

You're not just paying for the room when you book a hotel at one of the UAE’s best hotels. You’re also paying for exceptional service, 24-hour room service, exceptional amenities and world-class restaurants. Raffles Dubai and Al Zorah are examples of these hotels with excellent service. Hotel staff will make your bed and clean the room, which gives you more time and energy for excursions and enjoying your vacation! 

Hotels won’t cancel on you

Hotels are run by professionals whose entire job is to give you the best experience. Once you’ve booked a hotel, you get that room without any problems. If there are any issues, you’ll be compensated for your inconvenience.

This isn’t always the case for Airbnbs, owned and managed by ordinary people. Every once in a while, an Airbnb owner will cancel on you. While you will get your money back, finding new accommodation on short notice can be a hassle.

Friendly staff

Hotel staff members are trained to be friendly and accommodating to all guests. They’re easy to talk to and are willing to offer whatever help they can within reason. Airbnb hosts, while usually friendly, aren’t always as welcoming to questions.

Guaranteed quality

The best hotels in the UAE stake their entire reputation on their promise of quality. When you book a hotel, you know you’re paying for the best experience. You won’t have to worry about unknown factors, and there’s recourse for you if something goes awry. 

A sense of luxury

The high-end hotels give you a sense of luxury that is hard to find elsewhere. When you book a hotel room vs. an Airbnb, you’re paying for all the amenities that come with it. These luxuries include staff attending to your every whim and easy access to some of the finest bars and restaurants.  

Five Reasons to Choose an Airbnb vs. a Hotel

Unlike hotels, Airbnbs in the UAE offer a different experience altogether. Instead of paying for a hotel room, you pay to stay in someone else’s home. When you book an Airbnb, you’ll be getting a unique experience. Here are five reasons you should choose to book an Airbnb over a hotel room.

You save more money

Hotels in the UAE can get very expensive. If you’re traveling on a budget, booking an Airbnb can help you save money. This is especially true if you book an Airbnb with a fully-stocked kitchen to you can cook your own food. This means you won’t have to spend money eating out for every meal.

Dubai, in particular, is full of Airbnb options, with some great Airbnbs in neighborhoods like Dubai Marina and Dubai Media City.

Unique amenities

Some Airbnbs have amenities that hotels won’t, like pool tables and karaoke machines. This is because most Airbnbs offer unique experiences that can’t be replicated on a large scale. 

Great for travel groups

For bigger international travel groups, Airbnbs are likely the best option. Hotels only tend to offer a few beds per room. With Airbnb, you can sometimes book an entire house. This makes it easier to accommodate big international travel groups.

An authentic experience during your trip

When you book an Airbnb instead of a hotel, you won’t get a luxurious experience–and that’s the beauty of it. You get to see what it’s like to actually live in the UAE. If you want an authentic experience, getting an Airbnb is the best option.

Feels more like home

While hotels are luxurious, they don’t provide a sense of homeliness that an Airbnb does. Airbnbs are supposed to feel cozy and homey. You may value this over a hotel room's luxury and extravagance.

Bottom Line: it depends!

There isn’t a clear-cut answer as to which accommodation option is the best. Several factors can affect your choices, such as duration and location. It won’t always be a good choice to get a hotel room over an Airbnb or vice versa. When traveling to the UAE, it’s best to do your research and decide for yourself which the better option is.

Speaking of doing research, if you haven’t decided what your next travel destination should be, check out our blog! There are all kinds of adventures waiting for you in the UAE. If you want to find out what they are, check out the experiences we can offer! Make sure to follow our Instagram page as well.