Where to stay: Hotel vs. Airbnb

We recommend staying in AirBNBs, because you can get a great deal in really awesome neighborhoods that will be much more practical and comfortable for multi-night stays compared to a hotel. And they are cheaper than hotels, too!

With AirBNBs, you’ll get to stay like a local—complete with kitchen, living room, doorman, and other amenities like a pool or terrace. Having a kitchen with a refrigerator is vital for keeping stock of fresh water, snacks, leftovers, and all sorts of treats you’ll want to buy. We didn’t cook full meals, but we did heat up items on the stove or in the microwave. We also made drinks in the blender :) 

When booking an AirBNB, look for places listed as “Entire Place,” which means you’ll have a full home all to yourself. Listings that say “Private Room” mean the owner will also be staying in the AirBNB in their own room. Unless you are someone like a student or backpacker on a budget, go for “Entire Place.”

If you are someone who is used to traveling in luxury and staying in very nice places with impeccable service, then by all means go with a hotel. There are all the standard US-based hotel companies—from the Hilton to the Ritz. But for the average traveler, AirBNB is probably the more practical choice.

For budget travelers, like students, AirBNB might be preferable over hostels. With AirBNB, you can get great budget lodging but with a stronger sense of security, as the site’s reviews will give you a fair view of what you will get. Students  might prefer a “Private Room” option if they want the experience of making friends in new countries. The benefit of “Private Room” option, is that you will get to interact with a local who will care about you having a great experience in their city. But, importantly, you will have your own private sleeping area at night!