Airbnb Alternatives You Should Know About

Airbnb is one of the biggest tech companies today. With its claim to offer affordable short-term and mid-term housing, it’s easily the most sought-after housing rental company.

Its new Chief Business Officer, Dave Stephenson, in a bid to accelerate growth, recently stated the company’s top priorities that include international stays and more guest experiences.

Airbnb’s slice might have grown with COVID-19. People who could work from anywhere rented properties across the globe and helped increase the platform’s overall revenue in 2021. However, recent days haven’t been as good for the company: several operational criticisms have emerged, the chief being overpriced renting - this has had graver repercussions as research has shown that higher Airbnb rent prices in a city have a direct bearing on the increase of house rents.

Increased criticism has led several property owners to look for viable Airbnb alternative websites, such as Booking.com, Hipcamp, VRBO, etc. These sites offer attractive ventures for homestay owners to expand their business and maximize profits.

While these websites have similarities with Airbnb they may or may not be better than Airbnb. It’s all up to individual preference. However, some of them do provide a much better experience to specific holidaymakers, making them viable options.

Here’s taking an in-depth look into Airbnb alternatives USA and the world!

VRBO

Similar to Airbnb, VRBO features apartments, houses, and other unique places to stay. However, the catch is that it isn’t as widely known and it also doesn’t have as much variety in terms of locations. That said, VRBO does offer some great deals hidden among the listings, making it a go-to option for budget travelers.

This offering makes VRBO a potential platform for property owners to list their space for individuals looking for affordable options in both popular and off-beat locations! The best part is that the platform claims to be accommodative of all sorts of spaces, promising a good experience to both travelers and homestay owners.

Some properties listed on both Airbnb and VRBO, tend to go out for cheaper on the latter. Furthermore, the website’s search tool includes an option of “total price” that enables users to compare actual costs of renting, including cleaning and other fees. This seems to be an attractive option for clients, and hence, a more feasible website for property owners to list their stays, all hassle-free!

Booking.com

Booking.com is a major travel platform that Airbnb competes with directly. It offers international flights, hotel reservations, and also vacation rentals.

Many of the listings on the platform, especially in big cities around the world, involve apartments owned by professional management companies.

The best thing about the platform is that it gives property owners a chance to showcase their listings to a global audience. As an Airbnb alternative, it’s definitely a platform where hoteliers and homestay owners should list their stays.

The platform also offers an experiences tab, similar to TripAdvisor, where you can list any experience that you offer. It’s much like what airbnb did when it began. However, you should note that the competition on this platform is quite high, considering that property owners around the world list their place on it.

Hipcamp

Hipcamp is a camp booking platform. It is an online hub to find campsites, and can also be counted among sites like Airbnb but cheaper. For guests who like spending time in nature, Hipcamp is a go-to choice. Simple listings of campsites where one can pitch their tent, as well as “glamping” options such as unconventional Airstream trailers and yurt rentals can also be found on this site.

All in all, it’s a great budget Airbnb alternative for people in search of something rustic. It might also be interesting to budget travelers who want nothing more than somewhere to sleep or daring tourists looking for something very unusual. Thus, if you have a campsite that you would like to rent out to global travelers, Hipcamp might just be your best bet!

Marriott

The largest hotel company in the world, Marriott International Inc., quietly launched its home rental business last year and has gained popularity among frequent travelers since.

The biggest benefit is being able to earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points on vacation rentals. These points come in handy for travelers to get better deals on stays.

Since Airbnb and most of its alternatives don’t offer any loyalty programs, booking a vacation rental for “free” with points is not possible. On the other hand, Marriott Homes and Villas provides an option to book a vacation rental without paying for it outrightly, as credit cards and transfer partnerships make accumulating Marriott Bonvoy points easier.

Nevertheless, redeeming Bonvoy points under the ‘Homes and Villas Program’ doesn’t always deliver, and instead, may be quite grim at times. First, one needs to find out what a Bonvoy is worth and then use this to compare the cash versus point costs of booking a rental.

That said, Marriott Homes does include a collection of Epic Pool Homes, Cabins and TreeHouses, Playful Retreats, and Monthly Rentals. Thus, if you have a plush place that you would want to put up under any of the said categories, Marriott would be happy to offer you a spot, and yours could also be a “Marriott Backed stay”.

Vacasa

Vacasa does vacation rentals differently. Instead of just listing individual homes, it is a full-service vacation rental management firm that partners with homeowners to professionally manage their properties.

Here’s what one can expect from Vacasa:

High Standards: Vacasa takes its properties through intense inspections and adheres to strict cleaning measures that ensure uniformity and comfort.

Pay in Points: Vacasa has struck unique partnerships with platforms like Homes and Villas by Marriott International, Wyndham Rewards, and American Express Travel, thereby allowing travelers to book stays via card points.

Wide Variety of Choices: With 40k homes across the US, Canada, Belize, Costa Rica, and Mexico; this means there are many types of properties under its management such as comfortable log cabins to coastal condos.

Comprehensive App: The web and mobile app experience with Vacasa is a seamless one. It’s simple to get check-in or check-out instructions directly from the app.

The only drawback of Vacasa is limited availability with 40,000 vacation home listings for rent. This number looks diminutive compared to Airbnb’s estimated seven million worldwide active listings. On top of that, Vacasa is limited to North America where it operates.

As an Airbnb alternative, Vacasa is a strong contender for property owners looking for professional management. So, if you are a homeowner and have a property that fits within the purview of Vacasa-style stays, you should check out Vacasa!

Your Search for an Airbnb Alternative Ends at HotelMinder

Airbnb may be ruling over vacation rental, but its occupation might be transitory. That’s because the platforms prices, functionality, and security, have been taking a hit for a while. So if you wish to connect with travelers who want specific features, loyalty programs, affordable options, or one-of-a-kind experiences, check out these alternatives and consider the importance of price comparison.

As a hotelier, if you’re struggling with listing your property on different platforms, you’re in the right place. HotelMinder is a hotel consultancy business that provides end-to-end hotel management solutions. From helping you find the right property management platform to enlisting your property on different GDSs, we do it all!

So, if you’re ready to expand and reach out to more guests, here’s where to find an expert!

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