Airbnbs, Hostels and Bed & Breakfasts: Thinking Beyond Hotels

When traveling – especially for an extended period of time – I can’t afford for hotels to tell me how much I need to pay every night for a place to sleep. I want and need to be in control of my own budget. I also travel to experience new cultures and see the sights, not spend all my money or time in a hotel room.

For our most recent European trip, my daughters and I stayed in 13 Airbnb rentals, five hotels, four bed and breakfasts and two hostels.

Staying in BED & BREAKFASTS and rentals like AIRBNB typically put you in local neighborhoods that give you a better taste of what it’s actually like to live in that city. Rentals specifically also provide a lot of flexibility with amenities and space depending on what best suits your family. These types of lodging also come with local hosts who happily offer tips, recommendations and can answer any questions that you have before or during your stay.

With HOSTELS, you have a community of like-minded travelers and staff who genuinely care about your trip and want to help in any way they can. When people think of hostels, they usually think of shared rooms with bunkbeds and shared bathrooms. You can definitely have that kind of experience if your budget calls for it, but many hostels also offer private rooms and even suites if you’re traveling with your family or just want more privacy. The price of a hostel typically includes breakfast and comes with a lot of unique amenities and activities to give you a home away from home while you travel.

Sometimes HOTELS ARE the best option depending on location and price. They obviously come with their own benefits, but typically don’t provide my family with amenities we need on a longer trip like a washer and dryer or living room area. Hotel staff oftentimes aren’t local to the area either, so unless the concierge is local, they can only provide you with information on popular tourist sights and not recommendations on activities that will give you more of a local experience.

Lodging flexibility is one difference between travel agents and independent travel planners like Life Is Short Adventures. Travel planners explore all possible lodging options and create a trip plan that’s the best fit for your needs, interests and preferences whether it be a hotel, bed and breakfast, rental or hostel. Don’t be limited by hotel prices; you’d be surprised what you can afford if your options are expanded.