Are Airbnbs actually cheaper for big teams?

For all the controversy round whether or not Airbnbs are higher than lodges, there’s one situation the place many appear to imagine Airbnb is at all times superior: group journey.

Airbnbs can hold teams collectively. Staying below the identical roof can simplify meetups. If the entire celebration begins and ends their days collectively, it may be simpler to account for everybody. And seating the crew round an enormous kitchen desk could be simpler than getting a gaggle dinner reservation.

And plenty of vacationers are inclined to assume that Airbnbs (or trip rental alternate options like Vrbo or Hipcamp) are cheaper for big teams. However are they? And in that case, how less expensive?

A June 2022 NerdWallet examine analyzed 1,000 US Airbnb reservations with check-in dates in 2022 or 2023. Properties encompassed a variety of areas and high quality — although the examine solely thought of “whole place” properties (versus a single room in a bigger house ). These Airbnb costs have been then in contrast towards a NerdWallet database of almost 1,000 US resort rooms in the identical cities, additionally unfold throughout a variety of courses and areas.

At first look, Airbnbs at all times seem dearer. Whereas the median nightly US resort room was $178, the median Airbnb was $314 (each inclusive of all taxes and costs).

However these two comparisons aren’t precisely truthful. In any case, a resort room can possible solely accommodate two individuals, whereas Airbnbs can typically accommodate greater than that. Thus, when damaged down per particular person, Airbnbs can typically be far cheaper — and here is how a lot.

Inns vs. Airbnb: What’s the price per particular person?

NerdWallet broke out the value per head to know whether or not Airbnbs are actually cheaper for teams.

This examine assumed two adults per resort room. That is as a result of — whereas some lodges cost the identical worth whether or not 4 adults cozy up throughout two queen beds in a single room — others really cost extra. A separate NerdWallet evaluation of US Hilton room charges discovered that costs are inclined to common 11% extra when the reservation is for 4 versus two adults.

For Airbnb stays, NerdWallet grouped leases into two classes: leases with a max capability of two adults and leases with a max of six adults.

In virtually each situation, teams of six save considerably when reserving a big Airbnb versus three resort rooms. However for teams of two, lodges have a tendency to return out cheaper per head. Here is the price breakdown per particular person:

For teams of six, the median nightly worth per particular person to remain in a big Airbnb was about 33% cheaper versus reserving three resort rooms. However a single resort room seems to be 29% cheaper than a small Airbnb.

However these are nationwide numbers, and there can generally be excessive variability relying on the placement. Right here have been some standout cities in NerdWallet’s analysis:

In Chicago and Dallas, the median resort worth was at all times dearer than Airbnbs per head, regardless of the group measurement. In the meantime, the median resort in Los Angeles and Philadelphia was at all times cheaper than Airbnb.

But in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Akron, Ohio, costs have been blended. Inns have been cheaper than Airbnbs for teams of two, however dearer for teams of six.

When a resort nonetheless would possibly make sense for big teams

Simply because the price per head is decrease does not essentially imply you need to ditch the resort for your loved ones reunion, bachelorette celebration or different group journey. In some situations, lodges are nonetheless superior for teams.

You’ll be able to earn or redeem loyalty rewards

Whereas there are some backdoor methods to earn or redeem factors on Airbnb stays, Airbnb does not have its personal loyalty program. Factors, which may typically be simply attained by means of resort bank card sign-up bonuses, could make lodges free or low-cost. Resort loyalty applications additionally have a tendency to incorporate money-saving advantages like free resort evening certificates and free breakfast.

For a big group heading to Disneyland, the Hyatt Place Anaheim’s free breakfast buffet might be sooner than cooking on the Airbnb kitchen, and cheaper than paying for theme park meals. (Picture courtesy of Hyatt)

You will maximize the facilities

Talking of free resort breakfast, many main resort chains promise it. Some, like Embassy Suites by Hilton, moreover supply a free night pleased hour together with appetizers.

If cooking within the Airbnb isn’t your jam, then a big group might shortly rack up a giant restaurant invoice. Protecting the group collectively on the resort breakfast buffet could be simpler anyway.

Inns are additionally extra more likely to supply facilities and conveniences like an airport shuttle, child’s membership or a crib that you just possible will not discover in an Airbnb.

The placement is extra handy

Whereas the examine evaluated lodges versus Airbnbs in the identical cities, it wasn’t capable of account for granularity of location. Typically, lodges are within the coronary heart of the town close to prime vacationer sights. Airbnbs, whereas cheaper, could be 5 miles away. Staying at an Airbnb, you would possibly want a rental automotive (and perhaps a couple of) in case your group is large. A well-situated resort would possibly allow you to stroll and ditch the rental automotive fully. That could possibly be a selected cash saver lately, contemplating Could 2022 rental automotive costs are up 69% versus the identical month in 2019, based on Client Value Index information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

When an Airbnb would possibly nonetheless make sense for {couples}

But even when the sticker worth is dearer, you would possibly discover Airbnbs is smart. Listed below are a couple of explanation why.

You want options like a kitchen or laundry

Even when a kitchen is promised, resort kitchens are typically middling (typically consisting of a mini fridge, a microwave and a cooktop — in case you’re fortunate). Laundry virtually at all times prices additional.

Whereas not at all times the case, most Airbnbs embrace full kitchens and laundry rooms. In keeping with the USDA, the price of meals within the US for the common grownup cooking at house in Could 2022 ranged from about $55 and $100 per particular person, per week, with variations based mostly on quantity and high quality of meals consumed. When completely eating out on trip, it may be straightforward to spend that a lot per day.

And whereas cooking at house could be a cash saver for penny pinchers, it could possibly be a lifesaver for these with dietary restrictions. For outside journeys involving adventures like snowboarding or fishing, laundry could be needed.

You are staying in a distant space

Whereas journeys to Nationwide Parks or different distant outside areas are gaining popularity, the variety of lodges accessible to these areas hasn’t caught up. The closest Marriott to Maine’s Acadia Nationwide Park remains to be about an hour away, but there are dozens of Airbnb listings on Mount Desert Island, the place the park is positioned. Hilton solely simply opened its first resort this Could within the Yosemite space — the Hampton Inn Oakhurst-Yosemite.

When lodges are offered out, outrageously costly or nonexistent, trip leases could be your solely choice.

Airbnb as soon as supplied a Winnie-the-Pooh-themed “Bearbnb” close to London. (Picture courtesy of Airbnb)

You need a distinctive expertise

Whereas some say Airbnb has misplaced its luster as mom-and-pop trip leases give option to company property administration behemoths, some Airbnbs are nonetheless delightfully charming. In the event you’re searching for to cozy as much as the locals, you will extra possible befriend your Airbnb host who made you breakfast versus the bellhop who introduced your luggage to your room.

And whilst you can actually discover distinctive lodges, you will have higher luck on Airbnb reserving a geodesic dome on the seashore, a treehouse or a one-of-a-kind Hundred Acre Wooden duplicate on Airbnb.

The underside line

Airbnbs are usually dearer for events of two versus conventional lodges. However, they are typically far cheaper for bigger teams searching for a multiroom trip rental versus reserving a number of resort rooms.

It is unlikely that six individuals will all cram into one resort room collectively, but reserving three resort rooms can get dear. Airbnbs may help you retain the group collectively and, in most cities, prevent cash.

In brief, giant teams ought to virtually at all times think about Airbnbs if finances is a precedence. However do your personal comparability buying earlier than reserving, as costs can range by metropolis.

Sam Kemmis and JT Genter contributed to this piece.

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Sally French writes for NerdWallet. Electronic mail: [email protected]. Twitter: @SAFmedia.

The article Are Airbnbs Actually Cheaper for Giant Teams? initially appeared on NerdWallet.