Hotels vs VRBO, etc

I always stay in apartments/villas/bed and breakfasts rather than hotels, although my trips differ from most people on this forum, as I have more time and wouldn't dream of having just a 1 or 2 night stay anywhere.

The only hotel that I have stayed in over the past few years was in Venice, where we got such a great deal from Easyjet for the flight and hotel package that it was the best cost option for us, unusually.

Traditionally, I always used VRBO, but now I also use Trip Advisor rentals and booking.com where I have had some great accommodation such as 6 nights in Budapest and 4 nights in Jerez, Spain recently. For longer stays of 2.5+ weeks, I try to find somewhere with a washing machine, as having 1 x 20 kg checked in bag for the 2 of us means that I may have to do one load of washing whilst I am away. As our trips are longer, we don't want to eat out every night, so a kitchen is essential.

I try not to use Airbnb as they are expensive and don't give enough details about the accommodation's location.

You're right that if you're doing longer stays, that's when VRBO begins to make sense. I'd say probably the 4 or 5 day mark is about right. It also depends on how many in your party and also your like or dislike of cooking on vacation. I'm sure they're a godsend with children who are fussy eaters. For me, even with cooking facilities, I'm not likely to use them much. But, it is nice to be able to reheat a takeway.

The drawback is having to arrange key pickup and drop off as well as no place (usually) to store bags. This can be a pain if you're arriving on a typical overnight flight from the USA. Also, apartments tend to be quirkier than hotel rooms. It's easy to run out of patience when you're tired and can't figure out how to get hot water.

Our experience is that we've nearly always been disappointed with beds and bedding when staying at rentals. Quite often the bedding is of the cheap variety, often basic Ikea stuff and flat pillows, hard mattresses and thin duvets can have a detrimental effect if you're staying somewhere for more than one night. Likewise bath towels, we stayed at a house in Nice where the towels must have been about 20 years old, all mis-matched, all rough and completely devoid of any fluffiness they may once have had.

With hotels we tend to stay at Marriott's (and other affiliated brands) primarily because we've progressed so far in their rewards program that the benefits are very worthwhile. The good thing about Marriott is you know what to expect. The beds are fantastic, the bedlinen luxurious, the towels fluffy and cleanliness and tidiness is a given.

However, we've stayed at properties via Homeaway, Air bnb and the like and really enjoyed the space and freedom that they have offered. Our favourites being a house in Driggs, Idaho (used as a base to visit Yellowstone and the Tetons), Munich, the Black Forest and York. I think much depends on what you want out of your stay and what your expectations are. We will continue to use both.

We only rent where they allow us to drop off bags before checking in, say 1000 for London. We can then wander around until crashing for a brief nap at check in at 1500 or 1600, sometimes earlier just like a hotel if you're lucky. We a!so check how far away it is from a metro stop and downtown, and how easy it is to get to and from the airport. I never book a place that doesn't have several reviews, preferably in more than one language. Of course nothing is fail safe but you have
to do your homework. We prefer owners who are helpful with our questions.

Here's an odd one. I own a couple of short term rentals in Europe. Those I love to stay in; but outside of that I prefer nice Hotels with lots of service.

I mostly hate hotels. I don't want any service, I don't like people cleaning our room and making the beds and piling 59 purely decorative pillows back on the beds, I don't like to have to take a shower and get dressed to eat breakfast, plus hotel breakfasts are often gross and very late in the morning for us, I don't like having only one room to live in for days or weeks, and I LOVE having a washing machine and I love the quirkiness of the airbnb apartments we have stayed in.

Of course, you have to do very careful research and have enough communication with the hosts to make sure the quirks aren't annoying things. I always ask about the beds and exactly where the bathroom is. I read every review and try to read between the lines. Our apartments in Italy (where we are usually traveling) have all been great (various degrees of "great," for sure) and unique and fun and we have several times stayed in one for just one night either the first night of the trip or the last night with no problem at all (Rome and Milan near the train stations).

If it works for you, Mike, that's great. I prefer staying in a hotel for the security of 24 hour front desk, daily maid service, and having creature comforts in my room. In smaller towns or cities, we enjoy B&Bs which have the intimacy of a private home but it's a business with helpful innkeepers & a great breakfast.

I'm with Nancy. And what IS it with the myriad pillows anyway? At least in a vacation rental you can usually find a place to stash all of them. Not always easy in a hotel.

Continental, different strokes, different folks. It's all good. Interesting to read other preferences. Also for us apartments are economically better than hotels.

Janet I'm reminded of that Lynyrd Skynyrd song with Boise, Idaho in the lyrics "What's Your Name" I think. Skynyrd is popular in West by God Virginia.

We of the same mind. In fact, Jennifer nailed my thoughts and practices completely as we take long trips. During a two month trip (or even 3 weeks) I like a hotel or B&B stay for 2 or 3 nights just to soak up some luxury and service, but after a few nights I am sick of it and eating out.

We like supporting the small local hotels in the center of the historical towns. The people are usually very friendly, greeting us as we come & go. And, we enjoy the breakfast variety that’s ready in the morning.

When we stay at one location for at least four days (usually one during our trip), we’ll select an apartment which is slightly away from the center of town. The use of a washing machine is great, and it’s a chance to visit the local shops repeatedly for a “neighborhood experience “.

This year when I’m traveling as a solo, I only reserved hotels and B&B’s, so I would have the added security of someone at the front entrance, and a person available if I had a question.

I've stayed in a total of 11 apartments on 6 different trips. Stays have ranged from 5 to 8 nights. Eight of them were with my husband and the last 3 were on my own. My hotel or B&B limit is 4 nights. Anything longer and it's an apartment for me.

On the whole, my apartment experiences have been positive.

There was a VRBO that wasn't very clean when we checked in and required that we clean the place before leaving. That was a total surprise. Nowhere in any of the information on the place or in our correspondence with the owner was this ever mentioned. It would have been a deal-breaker if I had known.

My best experience was a beautiful place in Venice with a view of Cemetery Island and a fabulous kitchen. The owner lived on the next floor up.

I like apartments because there is no time limit on breakfast. When my husband and I travel together we like having a bedroom with a door that shuts and a bathroom that is not ensuite to the bedroom. That way he can sleep late and I can get up early and we don't bother each other.

I'm not so naive as to think I'm living like a local when I rent an apartment, but I do like shopping nearby. And I just like being there. When sitting staring out the window from most of the apartments I've rented, I thought it was much like sitting at a cafe watching people go by. I could definitely be a nosy old woman doing that from above -- especially if there is an elevator.

I prefer apartments too. I do cook on some trips, but not always. Even if I never turn on the stove or oven I love having a kitchen to store things like cheese, cold drinks, fruit and yogurt. Saves money on snacks and lets me buy whatever looks good at a market without worrying about keeping it cold. And there are always wine glasses - I love wine in the apartment in the evening.

Whenever possible I get an apartment with a deck or terrace. The outdoor space is wonderful. Occasionally it’s a roof terrace with a view -some of my best trip memories are on those. These aren’t the cheapest apartments but still less than a mid range boutique hotel which is the closest comparison. A basic apartment is cheaper than a simple hotel. Whatever the category you get more space for your money.

I also like not having to wake my husband up when I go out for a 6AM photo walk. Get up, close door, get dressed and eat and close the front door without him hearing. Same thing for if one of us wants a late evening walk.

Finally I LOVE not having a breakfast schedule. I’m at a lovely bnb (not apartment) now and it’s great. But like in most hotels and bnbs breakfast is at a set time range. I might want to go on a 6AM hike. Or sleep until 9. Neither is possible if I want breakfast, and since I don’t have a kitchen and I need to eat...

I find that happy middle to be extended stay hotels or aparthotels. 24 hour front desk, no fuss about key pick up and drop offs, always someone on site if there's a problem. But significantly more space to stretch out and an almost full kitchen so we can have have non-shelf stable snacks and drinks on hand, breakfast on out own time if we're feeling like sleeping in, and plates and flatware for those times we just want some takeaway in peace rather than having to sit through another long restaurant meal when we're tired.

Full maid service is often only weekly at those kind of places, but they do check more often than that to make sure you've got soap and toilet paper and such.

Price-wise they're often quite reasonable compared to standard hotel options.

Unless for a one night stopover, always apartments, usually through the local tourist board. I like the space. I like a balcony or terrace with a view.

Ennio Morricone is being played on the speakers before the game. This World Cup is gettng better and better.

I've read Paul McCartney rents houses while on tour. That would be nice, but he probably has more money than most of us.