When travelling, we tend to book hotels when staying in cities. The biggest factor for us is convenience. We want to be close to key attractions and transport, and we don't want a long list of rules to follow at checkout. Hotels usually offer that seamless experience with 24-hour reception, luggage storage, and easy access to everything we need. That said, outside of cities, we are more open to alternative stays; places that offer a more authentic feel, like traditional homes, or something memorable like a treehouse. These stays add character to a trip, but only if they're simple to book and hassle-free on arrival and departure. For us, it all comes down to ease of use, comfort, and location. We want a great place to stay that enhances our travel experience, not add more work to it.
Travelers abroad are still leaning toward hotels, mainly for familiarity, professional service, and the sense of security they provide. Hotels offer consistency like 24/7 front desk support, standardized amenities, and established safety measures that make many people feel more comfortable, especially in unfamiliar countries. That said, B&Bs have grown significantly in popularity, especially among younger and budget-conscious travelers who want authenticity, cultural immersion, and a more personal connection with their hosts. The choice often comes down to purpose. Families and business travelers tend to favour hotels for convenience, while solo travelers and couples looking for unique experiences are more likely to pick B&Bs. Factors like price, location, and amenities remain important, but authenticity and the "live like a local" feel are now strong motivators driving B&B bookings. In terms of trends, I've noticed more travelers blending both: booking hotels for the first nights of a trip (safety and predictability) and then moving to B&Bs once they feel settled. Boutique hotels are also borrowing from the B&B model, offering more personalized stays to compete with this shift. On safety, reputable B&Bs are highly conscious of guest protection. Most provide secure locks, CCTV in public areas, fire safety systems, and emergency contacts. Many rely on trusted booking platforms that add another layer of accountability, ensuring refunds or mediation if something goes wrong. While they may not always have on-site security staff like hotels, strong reviews, clear policies, and host transparency have made B&Bs increasingly safe and reliable for international travelers.
As a travel blogger, I usually spend more time in places than people just on a short vacation in order to really put my finger on the pulse of a place. This usually makes me opt for an airbnb because I have more space to set up my work station, cook if I feel like it, and even get to meet some of my neighbors if I'm lucky. Feeling like I'm actually "living" somewhere makes me better understand the places I write about. If it's a short stay, I usually opt for a hotel (2-3) nights as I enjoy being able to just show up, check in, and rest. Hotel rooms usually have a desk and fast WIFI which is great for getting some work done. Hotels are usually located in more central locations than airbnbs also so I can tackle more of a place in just a few days time.
As someone who owns multiple Airbnb properties near Augusta National, I can tell you that travelers are increasingly choosing B&Bs and vacation rentals when going abroad because they're seeking that personalized, local experience you simply can't get in a cookie-cutter hotel chain. Drawing from my 15 years in hospitality, I've learned that guests value feeling like they're part of the community rather than just another room number - they want recommendations on hidden local gems, the flexibility to enjoy morning coffee on a private porch, and spaces that feel like home rather than sterile rooms. The tipping point often comes down to group travel; families or friend groups abroad quickly realize that booking a B&B with a full kitchen and multiple bedrooms costs less per person than separate hotel rooms while offering exponentially more quality time together.
As someone who's renovated and managed properties for years, I've noticed travelers leaning more toward B&Bs when going abroad, largely because they offer a sense of home and immersion that hotels can't match. Guests appreciate that authentic neighborhood feel--chatting with hosts, cooking local ingredients, or just having space to unwind. Hotels will always have their appeal for convenience, but more and more people are trading standardization for personalization and experiences that feel real.
As far as whether travelers are looking for hotels or B&Bs more, I would say that in most cases, they're looking for the best price. Lots of people don't really have much of a preference of one over the other and will simply choose whichever gives them the better price. But, I do also think that because more travelers today do cast a wider net when searching for lodging, that indicates that hotels in general have lost at least some of their appeal. They aren't necessarily the standard for lodging for everyone anymore, and plenty of people would rather have a B&B experience than a hotel experience.
Hi, Thank you for reaching out and considering me for this feature. I'd be delighted to contribute insights from my experience as a Travel Expert at Roave Travel for your upcoming article on hotels vs. B&Bs. Here is my quote for the question: At Roave Travel, we have noticed that many travelers still prefer hotels when going abroad because of the comfort, familiarity, and dependable service they offer. At the same time, more people are choosing B&Bs for their warmth and the chance to connect with local culture. Guests often say that staying in a B&B feels more personal and lets them see a destination from a local perspective. While price and comfort are still important, travelers now also look for experiences that feel genuine and memorable. In recent years, B&Bs have made big improvements in safety, with better check-in systems and clearer communication between hosts and guests. These days, it's less about picking one type of stay over the other. Instead, travelers are looking for places that match their own pace, purpose, and personality. Please let me know if you need any additional details or adjustments to fit your editorial format. Best regards, Dipti Behera Travel Expert at Roave Travel https://www.letsroave.com
From my experience in real estate investment and property management, I'm seeing a clear shift toward B&Bs and vacation rentals, especially for international travel. Investors I work with are capitalizing on this trend - we've helped fund dozens of short-term rental properties because the numbers simply work better than traditional hotels for many travelers. The main driver is value and space; travelers want that authentic local experience plus the ability to cook their own meals and spread out, which becomes crucial on longer international trips where hotel costs can quickly spiral out of control.
When vacationing abroad, travelers are currently choosing B&Bs and specialized short-term rentals more often than traditional hotels. This is driven by the Desire for Localized Operational Immersion. The main factor influencing this choice is the Authenticity and Value Coefficient. While hotels guarantee a standardized, repeatable experience—the reliable, but unexciting, performance of a standard heavy duty trucks fleet—B&Bs promise a unique, high-touch local experience at a reduced cost. Price is secondary to the perceived return on cultural investment. Travelers seek an experience that is certified by local knowledge, demanding more than generic comfort or amenities. A recent shift is the enforcement of the Audited Security Protocol. As B&Bs scale, traveler concern about safety becomes the primary operational liability. Reputable B&Bs mitigate this by implementing mandatory safety features: verifiable lock systems, comprehensive liability insurance, and clear emergency response procedures—often managed via a dedicated host and detailed safety documentation. In the rare case of an issue, B&Bs offer protection through their host's Immediate Response Mandate and third-party booking platform insurance policies. This personal intervention acts as the first line of defense, exceeding the impersonal protocol of a large hotel chain. The safety of a B&B relies on the high-touch, human-centric operational model.