WHY I CHOOSE AIRBNB OVER HOTELS

I admit it: my drug of choice is travelling. It always has been.

My parents used to take us on road trips when we were younger. As we got older, we graduated to trips that required long flights. But to be honest, as long as we were going somewhere new, I didn’t really care how long it took to get there.

As a self-professed travel junkie, I take every chance that I can to get out and explore new places. I don’t like staying stagnant for too long and I start to get the travel itch after a few months of staying at home.

However, one new travel habit has developed over the past few years.

Instead of staying at corporate-run, chain hotels, I opt to stay in AirBnB properties whenever I can.

Sure – as an AirBnB Superhost, maybe I’m a little biased.

But there’s something just so much more authentic about staying in local dwellings.

As a teenager, I was fortunate enough to be able to experience a summer abroad in Paris, France. I was matched with a host family and it really helped me realize how much local flavor that I miss when I stay in a hotel. Each night, we would have a large family dinner that lasted for 3 to 4 hours.

Two years ago, I took my partner to Paris for the first time. We stayed in a locally owned property on the rez de chaussée (ground floor) of an apartment building. We had windows that opened to an interior courtyard and it truly felt like home.

Our Paris AirBnB apartment had windows that opened to a interior courtyard.

It’s experiences like these that make me opt for AirBnB properties nearly every time I travel. I have to admit that sometimes it’s nice to be able to order room service at 1 am when you get late night munchies.

But immersing in the culture of a place and establishing a home away from home? That’s priceless to me. If I need those late night munchies, I’ll just stroll down to the corner grocery store. The few extra steps are worth it to me.

What do you think? Do you prefer to stay in hotels or in locally owned lodging?