As our kids are getting older, we are traveling more and more.  They have found refuge in California, Nashville, Miami, Connecticut, Charlotte and even Erie to name a few stops.  Plus our junior high,  high school and collegiate sports have added many more overnight stays in more cities.  As you know travel carries a price tag.  

For a while, we had been enamored by the charm and quirkiness of airbnb.  We stayed at an artists room in Copenhagen, a cabin in Tennessee, a serene home on the Gulf Coast and right off of a Bike path in Missouri.  But, lately, the charm and quirkiness has dissipated.  Due to the changing landscape of Airbnb,  our negative experiences and affect on our budget, we have rekindled our supposedly archaic relationship with hotels. You see, we’ve been through the highs and lows of Airbnb, but lately, the scales seem to be tipping in favor of the good ol’ hotel experience.  

In the world of accommodation, nothing stings more than reaching into your pocket only to find it emptied by the whimsical pricing strategies of Airbnb hosts. It’s like playing a game of financial hide-and-seek where you’re always the one losing. Hotels, on the other hand, have mastered the art of transparent pricing, sparing us from the ordeal of deciphering a complex code to determine the actual cost of a night’s stay.

And let’s talk about hidden costs. Airbnb’s cleaning fees seem to have a magical ability to appear out of thin air, leaving my wallet gasping for breath. Hotels, graciously offer the luxury of complimentary housekeeping without slipping an extra charge under the door. It’s a simple equation: pay for the room, sleep like royalty, and let the cleaning fairy do her job.

Picture this: you are unwinding in your home away from home, enjoying the serenity of your Airbnb escape. Suddenly, the owner appears, casting a shadow over your vacation bliss. It’s like having an overbearing host who can’t resist popping into your personal bubble. We have had them go through our trash, yell at us for opening windows and watch us like we are going to run off with the good china.  Hotels, bless their hearts, understand the sacred art of invisibility. No owners lurking in the background, no awkward encounters at the lobby — just you and the freedom to be yourself.

The cozy ambiance of an Airbnb can quickly turn claustrophobic when the owner decides to become an omnipresent figure. It’s like having an extra member in your travel party who forgot the memo about personal space. Hotels, ever the professionals, offer a retreat where you’re free to be the captain of your own ship, without any surprise co-pilots.

Ah, the sweet smell of pancakes sizzling on a griddle, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee; or so you would hope when booking an Airbnb. The harsh reality, however, often involves peeling yourself out of bed, still half-asleep, only to realize there’s no breakfast fairy waiting to serve you a morning meal. In the realm of Airbnb, breakfast is a mythical creature, leaving you to forage for your own sustenance.  A breakfast for 5 at a diner could run you $70-100, so you eat granola bars and coffee. Most Airbnb’s provide coffee and sometimes granola bars.

Hotels, boast a tradition as old as time: the complimentary breakfast buffet. No need to wander the unfamiliar streets in search of sustenance; just stroll down to the lobby, grab a plate, and eat.  

As the clock ticks down on my Airbnb stay, a sinking feeling sets in. It’s not the impending departure that dampens my spirits; it’s the laundry list of ‘chores’ that comes with checking out. From washing dishes to folding towels, I’m left wondering if I accidentally booked a vacation or signed up for a domestic boot camp. What’s next, cutting the grass?   Hotels, my dear friends, offer a much simpler exit strategy: just leave. No dishwashing, no bed-making, just a carefree farewell as you walk into the sunset (or the lobby).

Who needs the added stress of turning your vacation into a chore-fest? Hotels understand the importance of a stress-free check-out experience. We are more and more, saving the chores for home, where they belong, and let the professionals handle the rest.

In the grand tapestry of travel, affordability is a thread that weaves the most intricate patterns. Airbnb, once heralded as the champion of budget-friendly stays, seems to have lost its way, with prices skyrocketing faster than a budget traveler’s dreams. But fear not, for hotels have figured out how to adapt to become unsung heroes of the economical travelers.

A little research is all it takes to uncover the hidden gems; two-bedroom hotel suites that not only match the cozy charm of Airbnb but also come at a fraction of the cost. Small cities, large cities , the price tag doesn’t discriminate. Hotels, it seems, have cracked the code to delivering comfort without breaking the bank.

As we, reluctantly, bid adieu to the quirks and trials of Airbnb, we welcome the familiar embrace of hotels:  A realm where pricing is clear, breakfast is a reality, and the only ‘chores’ involve deciding whether to lounge by the pool or explore the local scene. In the grand culinary landscape of travel, hotels are the comforting stew, simmering with reliability and seasoned with the laughter of my family and without the airbnb ‘landlord’ joining in from the shadows.