Is Airbnb Still A Great Choice For Travelers In 2023?

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Last Updated 8 hours ago

The hospitality industry has been changing a lot since the pandemic. Not only the business model but also travelers’ experiences. For years, Airbnb has been a disruptive company that offers great and cheaper solutions for travelers, but this has changed, and guests no longer feel as safe and welcome as they used to.

Host meeting travelers in front of the house

Renting a vacation stay on Airbnb was a great alternative to hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid large crowds and for workcation experiences. But prices have significantly increased—a 37% increase in 2022 compared to the same quarter in 2019— and travelers are seriously considering hotels as better and even cheaper alternatives.

In a recent viral tweet, writer Jeremy Gordon said that he stayed at a Holiday Inn instead of an Airbnb, and he considered it a glamorous experience. The amusing tweet had hundreds of comments—and complaints— from users. The discontent is not new. Many travelers have been disapproving of Airbnb’s services for a long time now.

Decided to stay in a Holiday Inn instead of an Airbnb for an overnight trip and strongly feel, one hour after check-in, that there has never been a more luxurious experience in all of human history

— Jeremy Gordon (@jeremypgordon) January 7, 2023

Why are travelers showing a preference for hotels? Here are a few of the main reasons why travelers are no longer considering Airbnb as the best accommodation option in 2023:

Hosts’ Cleaning requests

Just a few months ago, users raged all over the internet to complain about demanding hosts forcing guests to clean before departure while still paying costly cleaning fees. One guest, Necole Kane, said that during her vacation in Arizona, the host had her complete a long chore list after she had already paid a $375 cleaning fee. By the time she finished all the tasks, Necole was late for a tour she had booked. After all that headache, is it really a vacation anymore?

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women sitting on the floor doing the laundry.jpeg

Last year, the average cleaning fee on Airbnb in the United States was $143, and many hosts are requesting travelers not only wash the dishes but also clean, sweep, and take care of the linens. Guests are not happy and are getting tired of working during their vacations.

Missing Items And Unexpected Situations

Will you find enough toilet paper or towels? This is never a question when staying at a hotel, but a frequent one when staying at an Airbnb. Each host has their own rules regarding hospitality, so travelers usually have to be prepared to run to the grocery store upon arrival when reality does not meet their basic demands.

Man reaching hidden key over door to open the house

Check-in and check-out are also usually a mystery and can be stressful. Will your host be there by the time you arrive? Will you have to meet them and make small talk after a long flight? Will you have to wait for them to open the door? Will you find the hidden key? A Tiktok user recently went viral after describing the check-in experience as being in a show called “home invaders.”

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hotels vs airbnbs

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Privacy And Hidden Cameras Concerns

Security has been a major concern for Airbnb users. A few months ago, a survey revealed that 58% of guests were concerned about hidden cameras in their Airbnbs, and many travelers have found them in their temporary homes.

Camera Inside Airbnb and man sitting on the couch in the back

Airbnb’s policy states that security cameras are allowed as long as they are disclosed on the listing and cannot be placed in private areas like the bedroom or the bathroom. But how can travelers know if they are being recorded? How much privacy do they really have? What about remote workers who need to protect their company’s information? There are many gray areas, and the topic has aroused debate.

Hotels And Airbnbs

Airbnb has made changes to optimize its services, like updating its platform to show cleaning and other fees in the final price, as many travelers were complaining that the final price was higher than the one featured on the feed. However, prices sometimes are still high and comparable to hotel prices.

Happy backpacker traveller stay in high quality hotel

Hotels do not make guests clean up before departure, and some travelers are reconnecting to hotel services and describing them as “luxurious” and more relaxing than Airbnb. Now large hotel chains like Marriott are launching new products and services to compete against Airbnb and offer guests the best of both worlds.

Travelers laying on hotel bed after arrival suffering from jet lag

There are still great Airbnb listings and many options on the platform, and the company is making major efforts to become digital nomads’ preferred option, but travelers must consider all pros and cons before booking their stay in 2023.