‘Surprising’ study finds hotels generally cheaper than Airbnb
Hotels generally outperform Airbnb on price, according to a study that claimed many vacationers will be “surprised” by this result.
Consumer group Which one? compared the cost of thousands of hotel rooms to 300,000 single bed listings on popular accommodation rental websites.
The study covered 13 destinations in the UK and 37 in the rest of the world.
When planning your next trip, don’t assume that a hotel will cost more
Rory Boland, Which? Travel
It found that a night’s stay in a hotel cost an average of £101, compared to £120 on Airbnb and Vrbo.
Accommodation rental companies have a reputation for being cheaper than traditional options because guests don’t pay for on-site staff.
But which one? believes their growing popularity during the coronavirus pandemic has led to rising prices.
It highlighted a number of destinations where travelers can make “big” savings by staying in hotels.
On the Greek island of Santorini, Airbnb and Vrbo listings were typically 71% more expensive at £203, compared to £119 for hotels.
Listings on landlord websites for the Dutch capital Amsterdam cost 58 per cent more than hotels, averaging £183 compared to £116.
Hotel prices were also generally cheaper in many Asian travel destinations.
In Hong Kong the price difference was 85%, with similar results in Singapore and Dubai.
It also emerged that staying in a hotel in several UK tourist hotspots typically costs less than booking through Airbnb and Vrbo.
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Hotels in the picturesque seaside town of Southwold, Suffolk, charge an average of £155, but listings on accommodation rental websites typically cost a hefty £223.
It’s also typically cheaper to stay in hotels in all four UK capitals, researchers say.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: “Many holidaymakers will be surprised to find that the average cost of hotels in many destinations is cheaper than one-bedroom holiday apartments, which are often promoted as a popular option for travelers looking to save money.”
“When planning your next trip, don’t assume that a hotel will cost more, but instead check prices on different platforms.
“For larger groups that require more rooms and space, private rentals are still likely to be better priced than hotels.”
Graeme Buck, communications director at travel retail company Abta, said: “Many customers look for value for money when booking their holiday accommodation and booking this as part of a package with an Abta member is an easy way to do so Great offer to get.”
“As travel experts, they can advise you on the best hotel for your budget, on a date and in a location that works for you.”
The analysis was based on average prices for the 12 months to May.
Airbnb and Vrbo only included listings for entire properties, while the hotel pricing study excluded five-star sites.