Airbnb or hotel for your summer vacation?
Quick summary
Now that spring getaways are largely behind us, all eyes are on the upcoming summer months for what is expected to be a busy travel season. As travelers plan summer vacations, there's one question that will undoubtedly come up: do I book a hotel or a rental property like an Airbnb?
Of course, the answer depends on a variety of factors. Availability and pricing at your destination are usually the biggest considerations. But your preference on the type of stay that you are looking for, as well as loyalty and points-related factors and other considerations.
It's hard to beat staying at a resort, where you enjoy the luxury of on-site pools, restaurants, housekeeping, not to mention easy beach access and the financial benefit of either using your points for a free stay or earning points and elite night credits.
I've also had plenty of Airbnb stays with family that have been equally memorable. Sometimes a rental property like an Airbnb gives you the chance to enjoy your temporary space more like you would a home, and in some cases, more fully immerse yourself in the day-to-day culture of the place you're visiting.
It's also worth noting, there are ways your points can help you with your Airbnb booking, although you're not going to earn any free nights staying at a rental property.
Home share properties have gained a certain amount of notoriety in recent years for the fees added to the top of your nightly rate, but the fees you pay at resorts – including when redeeming points in some cases – can be equally loathsome among guests.
Related: Everything you need to know about Airbnb
What's the best fit for you this summer? We thought we'd compare hotel and Airbnb options in several popular summer destinations.
We looked at bookings for a peak summer vacation week of July 16-23 (Saturday to Saturday) for this report.
East coast beach trip: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head is a popular southeast beach destination each summer. On top of the ability to stay affordably at oceanfront properties, it doubles as a popular golf destination with vast shopping and dining options.
Hotel choice: Marriott Hilton Head Resort & Spa
This beachfront resort includes easy beach access, with a pool situated just off the beach. The nightly rate of $469 leads to a $3,286 bill for the seven-night stay. If you've got Marriott Bonvoy points to use, it goes for a total of 352,000 points for the stay.
Since you get a fifth night free, the other six nights average out to 58,666 points per night. According to TPG's valuations, that's worth $469 per night – the same as the nightly cash rate.
My Airbnb choice is an oceanfront condo with a perfectly nice pool, good for a dip after spending the day on the beach. With fees on top of the $250 nightly rate, the week comes to $2,140 for the one-bedroom condo.
European trip: Rome
We can expect a very busy summer of U.S. travelers making their way to Europe. Rome is always among the more popular destinations for tourists looking to enjoy the city's culture and countless historic sites, from the Pantheon and Colosseum to St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
Hotel choice: The Tribune, Rome
This Hyatt property puts you in a nice, central location in Rome – with key tourist sites easily reachable by ride share or walking if you're up to it. For a quality hotel, the $249 nightly rate is a bargain compared to many other options in the area, with the weekly bill coming to $1,862.
At 18,000 World of Hyatt points per night, the award rate is not a great redemption, but isn't outrageous to the point where you should avoid spending points in hopes of saving cash on the lodging portion of your trip.
I'm a big fan of the Airbnb choice in Rome. The property I found is a tenth of a mile walking distance from the Pantheon, which puts you within a stone's throw of numerous key tourist attractions in the city. The property has a modern feel to it, and while it comes in at a bit higher than the hotel cost -- $1,958 for the week once you add the fees in – the location and cost makes this the winner.
Caribbean vacation: Costa Rica
Costa Rica allows visitors to enjoy a combination of relaxing on the beach (or by the pool) with a bit of adventure. From the wildlife to mountains and volcanoes you can spend half the trip sitting or swimming, and the other half exploring.
When booking accommodations in Costa Rica, be sure to check the proximity of your property to the airport – and firm up how you'll get around! Unlike some Caribbean destinations where the airport is a short drive from many resorts, you can be on the road for a good hour or two here.
Related: Get to Costa Rica and back for less than $200
Hotel choice: Marriott Vacation Club at Los Suenos
This is a new Marriott property that has availability for booking the week we looked at in mid-July. With multiple pools and dining options on the property, you can stay for a relatively good price considering the size of the villa you get. With a nightly rate of $212, the stay comes to $1,490.
You really can't go wrong with the Airbnb we found with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean. For the week's stay you can save a few hundred dollars compared to the hotel booking -- $1,672 is the total once you add in the fees.
Related: The best times to visit Costa Rica
Wine country: Napa, California
My wife and I made our first visit to Napa in 2019, and found both the quality of the wine, the views and the food to be exactly what we expected. One of the factors that comes into play as you consider a hotel or an Airbnb in Napa is what type of accommodation you're looking for.
Hotels are often within walking distance of the many restaurants, wine bars and shops. We stayed in town when we visited, and were able to walk to dinner each night. The downside of this: you probably have to get an Uber or Lyft to the vineyards, which can add up since each leg of the trip can range anywhere from 5-15 minutes or more.
Related: 8 mistakes to avoid when visiting Napa Valley
Meanwhile, you can also find spectacular and more secluded rental properties, including some situated on properties with wineries.
Hotel choice: Embassy Suites by Hilton Napa Valley
This was one of the better hotel choices for a stay in July, priced at $395 per night or $3,189 for the seven-night stay.
I kept my search closer to downtown on Airbnb (although you can certainly venture farther north to get closer to wineries). I found a two-bedroom cottage near downtown for $283 per night, or $1,984 for the week.
New England and national park trip: Bar Harbor, Maine
While plenty of residents of New England travel south during the coldest winter months, as a resident of the south I've always loved visiting Maine in the summer when I need a break from the heat and humidity. Bar Harbor is a popular destination among visitors to Maine, as it gives you a combination of a beautiful, on-the-water town, and easy access to Acadia National Park.
You actually may want to consider options beyond major hotel chains and Airbnbs as you travel to this part of the country because New England is well known for its bed-and-breakfast lodging and independent hotels.
Hotel choice: Hampton Inn, Bar Harbor
The property is priced at $474 a night or $3,618 for the stay in July. Another Hampton Inn a bit farther outside of town goes for about half the price, so consider whether you need to be in the center of things and the higher cost for that privilege.
I found a townhouse in Bar Harbor on Airbnb for a fairly inexpensive $160 per night, which came to $1,278 for the seven-night stay. It's a small property though, and depending on the size of your party and the quality of the property you're looking for, you may have to pay triple or even quadruple that nightly rate if you want more space or luxury.
Bottom line
Hotels and Airbnb properties each have their benefits and drawbacks. I enjoy both, and let the destination and my goals for the trip (along with price of course) dictate which direction I take when booking.
As you plan your summer vacation, it's always a good idea to consider every avenue to make sure your trip turns out exactly the way you're hoping.