Are you preparing for your next vacation but want to save money by staying at an Airbnb alternatives apartment instead of a hotel? If that’s the case, you’ve come to the correct place. We’ve compiled a list of common platforms as Airbnb competitors that can help you save money for your next journey.
Top 6 Airbnb alternatives to try
When Airbnb is fully booked, these are the cheapest rental properties sites to search.
- Vrbo
Vrbo, an alias for “rental properties by owner,” is a searchable database of private vacation houses that can be filtered by destination, price, and amenities. They are typically large and well-suited for families and parties, however, there are also lots of beautiful options for couples and lone travellers.
Unlike Airbnb, Vrbo ads are solely for complete homes, eliminating the possibility of booking a shared room or area by mistake. Additionally, it now includes HomeAway, which was previously a sister corporation.
- Turnkey Vacation Rentals
While some TurnKey properties are offered on Airbnb or VRBO, the majority of their inventory is available directly on their website. TurnKey specialises in premium luxury residences with hotel-style amenities that are maintained by a team of professionals rather than homeowners.
TurnKey thoroughly evaluates each property, ensuring that visitors receive the highest level of customer service, hygiene, and facilities. Additionally, they contain technological elements such as time-coded smart locks for contactless check-in, in-home tablets for demands, noise decibel sensors to assure quietness, and automated housekeeping routines.
However, such personalised service comes at a cost, and TurnKey residences are not as widely available as other Airbnb alternatives services.
- Book a vacation rental on Vacasa
Vacasa is another Airbnb alternatives as a property management company that lists houses on Airbnb in addition to managing over 25,000-holiday rentals worldwide.
Their booking procedure is incredibly transparent, with each home providing previous guest evaluations and 3D virtual tours to ensure there are no unpleasant surprises upon arrival.
Additionally, the platform guarantees flexible, no-fee cancellation and change policies, something many competitors do not offer. Rebook your trip, cancel and earn a 100% credit toward a future stay, or cancel and receive a refund (less the booking charge) at least one month before check-in.
Each trip is also backed by 24-hour customer service, a local listing agent, contactless check-in via smart locks or lockboxes, a mobile app for requests and instructions, and expert housekeepers who clean and fill each home using EPA-approved cleaning products.
- Marriott Homes & Villas
If you have a strong affinity for a certain hotel or like to demonstrate brand loyalty, consider the residences offered and managed by Marriott.
They have over 2,000 residences in over 100 destinations worldwide that offer a hotel-like experience in a private home setting. Marriott’s vacation rentals are actively managed and vetted, with customer service available 24 hours a day. As with a hotel, they give impeccable cleaning and upscale amenities.
Additionally, you may earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy loyalty points throughout your stay, which is a feature not offered by the majority of other rental firms.
- Courtesy onefinestay
Another subsidiary of a well-known hotel brand, onefinestay is a member of the Accor group, which also includes luxury names such as Sofitel, Raffles, and Banyan Tree.
Its carefully designed residences and villas are modern, big, and extremely posh. They are located around the world, from major cities such as New York to coastal retreats like Turks and Caicos. Additionally, they are typically larger residences with elegant, sophisticated styling.
Each reservation includes complimentary local guest services and the option to upgrade to additional amenities and experiences. The beginning price, however, is slightly more than that of some of the other items on this list.
6.Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia.com
While you’re probably already familiar with Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia.com for the greatest hotel discounts, you can also book private houses and apartments, as well as unconventional hotels like cottages, villas, and another freestanding lodging.
While the majority of searches return these results, you could also filter for “apartments and houses,” “holiday homes,” and “budget hotels.” As with hotels, these rental properties include information on their review scores, facilities, and more.
Additionally, these OTAs are worth exploring for less standard hotel experiences when vacation homes are unavailable but a comparable form of lodging is desired.
Filter by property type, such as “villas” or “cottages,” to discover modest, intimate properties with only a few guest rooms. They often include separate entrances, kitchenettes, and contactless check-in, allowing you to avoid public enclosed rooms and minimise contacts. Additionally, you’ll avoid paying excessive cleaning and service rates. Simply verify the hotel’s COVID policy prior to booking.
This was my strategy this summer while I looked for a vacation property in Cape Cod. When cleaning and service fees amounted to more than one night’s stay, the vacation homes on Airbnb that suited my search criteria were limited or surpassed my budget. I ended up renting a cottage-style hotel on Hotels.com that included all the privacy and social distancing characteristics I desired in a holiday house for at least $600 less than I might have found on Airbnb or other Airbnb competitors sites.
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