Help me decide - hotel or AirBNB

[poppyseedy]

I worked in a North American city many years ago pre husband and kids and it was a life changing experience for me so I’m really excited to finally go back with my family next year. It’s a bit of a stretch for us to be going so I’m looking to save money where I can whilst still doing a lot of fun stuff. I had already booked a hotel in the downtown area as I thought my kids (young teens) would really love being in the thick of it but it does mean we’ll have to be spending way more on eating out. The hotel has a kitchenette but not enough to make proper meals - we could do breakfast and make sandwiches but not much else. The other alternative is to book an AirBnB further uptown (about 30 mins on subway to right downtown but there are lots of shops and cafes around the Airbnb. Advantages are that we can have proper meals (and I will enjoy going to a big N. American supermarket and letting kids choose stuff), more space for us to chill and it’ll be in exactly the neighbourhood I lived in before which will tick lots of nostalgia points for me! But I think kids would rather a hotel plus we’ll spend more time travelling to attractions from the Airbnb. They’re both the same initial cost.

What would you choose?

Hotel.
I am usually all for self catering but the time you will spend travelling, added to the time you spend cooking, sounds tedious. It won’t be much of a holiday.

Is there an option to do the Airbnb, but with the last couple of nights at the hotel, or is that too much faff?

@LateMumma I did wonder about that but wondered if I’d regret the faff of moving. The travel doesn’t bother me too much as part of the experience for me is just being part of the city again. Walking around the neighbourhoods, people watching etc. My kids haven’t been out of Europe so will find it interesting I think. Plus 30 mins max travel isn’t bad at all.

Hotel. I keep getting FB posts in my feed from an American Airbnb owners’ group and it’s put me off ever going to an Airbnb. Inhospitable, penny pinching, bitchfest.

How long will you be there? For me it would depend on that. For a week or less I’d go in a hotel but any longer perhaps the Airbnb. Top tip though, read the reviews of the place you choose on Airbnb VERY carefully. Read between the lines of the reviews. Comments about lack of cleanliness usually mean it’s bad. Comments about tired furniture usually mean it’s old and uncomfortable.

You can prep simple meals (cooked chicken and salad?) or go to afford able places to eat/get takeout?

I would normally say Airbnb every time, so much cheaper than a good hotel and so much more space & privacy. But in this case it sounds like the hotel would be a better bet. Can you get get an Airbnb downtown maybe?

Def the buzz of being downtown on foot in the thick of it is worth it. Can you get cheap take out / delivery?

But will the hotel be comfy enough for lounging? I find city breaks exhausting but hate if the only way to rest is sat on a bed.

Maybe both?

Yeah I'd split it, and suck up the travel in between, maybe stay at the one you're going to be at for the shortest time first and don't unpack too much while there. Airbnb's can be fantastic just make sure there are reviews and that they are good!

Also factor in the costs of food in a supermarket versus eating out / I'm
Never sure when the balance tips in favour of self catering when you're having to buy all the components of a meal versus a stocked cupboard at home versus a cheap meal out -

You’ve all got me thinking about doing both now! I think starting off in the downtown hotel and doing all that stuff initially then moving to a AirBNB in a cool neighbourhood where we’ll appreciate the space might be a good idea! Either way it’s an excuse to spend more time planning and researching holidays which is my favourite hobby!

Which city are you thinking of visiting?. I ask only as some American cities have real issues with these types of site and do not allow tenants to sublet their apartment via Airbnb.

I think splitting sounds good with the Airbnb in the second half. I love holidays but after a week or so miss having a bit more space and being able to eat simple home prepared food. It also means you can do your sight seeing from the hotel in a better location for it, then relax more in your old location.