At this point, I don’t even want to risk it. There are just too many scary stories — and I once stayed in a place loaded with cameras! Luckily, I was savvy enough to spot them.
What’s cheaper, Airbnb or a hotel? The shocking answer
When Airbnb and Vrbo first hit the scene, they were terrific. It was so much cheaper than staying at a hotel. Now? Hotels are coming back. But why?
For one, there are all the Airbnb horror stories — from hidden cameras to a host secretly living in a rental’s attic. Seriously, it happened. And did you hear about the women renting an old Victorian to celebrate their 50th high school reunion? Instead of a fun time, they got bats. Some of the women were even bitten.
If you love to travel but want to save money, this report is worth paying attention to.
Rentals vs. hotels: What’s cheaper?
Which?, a U.K.-based consumer research group, compared the average price of thousands of hotels with 300,000 Airbnb and Vrbo listings. They also looked at 50 locations over a year to monitor price trends.
Their findings? On average, hotels were less expensive 75% of the time.
Now, a hotel might not always be the best choice — like when you need a big kitchen or want the whole gang in one place. But at the very least, it’s worth checking. It’s time to add hotels back to your radar.
Oh, the places you’ll go!
So, why the rise in Airbnb and Vrbo prices? Several major U.S. cities are placing more restrictions on Airbnb rentals, making it more difficult for property owners to turn a profit. Jacking up rates helps these owners stay afloat.
It’s not just in the U.S. The most significant price difference is in Greece. On the island of Santorini, a one-bedroom rental through a site like Airbnb is roughly $104 more expensive than a hotel room.
The same is true for rentals in other major cities around the globe compared to hotel rooms:
- Amsterdam – $83 higher
- Singapore and London – $75 higher
- Dubai – $70 higher
- San Francisco – $44 higher
To tip or not to tip, that's the question
Have you noticed that someone is asking for a tip everywhere you look? That fancy-schmancy payment popped up at coffee shops. Now, they’re at self-checkouts, stadiums and even fast-food joints. My plumber even had the option to tip him 20%! I’m glad I didn’t. The ice maker leaked all over 45 minutes after he left.
‘Kim, what do you use for …?’
You asked. Here are my answers.
- Holding your passport: I love this passport holder (click the 10% off coupon) because it blocks RFID and also holds an AirTag (17% off today!). It has enough room for your boarding passes, cash and credit cards, too.
- Holding your iPad: I use this super-handy tablet stand ($15.97, 20% off!) in my studio to read scripts and in the kitchen to follow recipes, watch shows and video chat with Ian. It has a handy place for the plug.
- Keeping safe in hotels: I don’t trust locks in hotel rooms. That’s why I pack a doorstop alarm that emits a loud sound if someone opens the door. Get this two-pack for $11.99 while it’s 33% off.
- Protecting your identity: For starters, I shred everything — I mean, every single thing — with my name on it. I’ve used this Amazon Basics shredder ($33, 11% off) a lot for over four years.
- Not using gross airplane blankets: That’s why I carry my own travel blanket ($29.95, 14% off) because it’s always cold on planes. This makes a great Mother’s or Father’s Day gift, btw.
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2,200 pounds
Of explosives used to implode the Tropicana Las Vegas. The site of the former 23-story, 917,400-square-foot hotel is becoming a Major League Baseball stadium for the Oakland A’s, who are relocating. The controlled demolition used 22,000 lineal feet of detonating cord. Dang! Watch it happen here.
How to get a hotel room cheaper than the best price online
Here’s my spending philosophy: If you can get something cheaper, it’s worth a little effort. Of course, I like tools that do the hard work for me. Tap or click for an online shopping helper to find discounts that work.
Here are the cities with the highest Airbnb fees
Here’s one major problem with the rental platform Airbnb. You go online, find a property with a price that works for you and book it — only for the total cost to skyrocket. What gives? Here’s a trick to avoid getting hit with those hidden fees.
140 million hotel guest records exposed - see if your data is for sale
Las Vegas is home to some of the world’s most spectacular hotels and attractions, and staying on the Strip can sometimes fetch a hefty price. So what happens when a data breach hits one of these luxury destinations and spills the personal details of its high-rolling guests?