Airbnb Demand Slumps as Travelers Return to Hotels – This Resort Type That’s Both Is Booming
The rise of affordable short-term rental vacations in the past 15 years has changed how people travel. They’ve grown accustomed to the space and conveniences of homes or condos and no longer prefer to stay in a traditional single-room hotel unit. However, in 2023, Airbnb’s total rental cost is no longer always cheaper than a hotel room, and travelers increasingly crave the amenities, security, and consistency of resorts.
It May Be Shocking to Learn That Timeshares Are Booming
These changing preferences are driving hotels to update their room offerings. Still, they can’t create suites or connecting rooms fast enough to meet demand. So travelers are turning to surprising resort-type that’s already built this way – timeshares.
Why Are Travelers Leaving Airbnb?
In collaboration with John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the University of Colorado School of Public Affairs, an analysis identified the five most common Airbnb complaints on Twitter. 75% were customer service problems, 22% were about scams, 10% for host cancellations, 6% were about safety concerns, and 4% faced discrimination.
It’s All Gotten To Much for Travelers
Add noticeable price increases, additional fees, and a long list of check-out cleaning responsibilities, and people are returning to hotels. According to MMGY Travel Intelligence, 75% of leisure travelers planning to take a vacation in the next six months are planning to stay in a hotel/resort, up from 60% last year, with an increased interest in staying in a chain-affiliated hotel.
It’s Driving Down the Demand for Airbnb
Reflecting the changing preferences and dynamics of 2023, Airbnb forecasted fewer bookings on their latest earnings call. Additionally, analysis from leading real-estate consultant Nick Gerli of Reventure Consulting revealed that Airbnb demand is down.
Travelers Still Crave Space
Travelers who have gotten used to spacious rentals are still looking for home-like conveniences at resorts. According to Priceline Consumer Travel Expert Christina Bennett, larger rooms and kitchens rank among the most prioritized features. Hotels report a 20% increase in demand for connecting rooms and suites, driving brands like Marriott to build more of these offerings. In fact, 31% of Marriott hotels in development are all-suite properties.
That’s Why The Rees Hotel Queenstown Built Suites
A sophisticated five-star hotel in New Zealand with 60 hotel rooms, 90 apartments, and five 3-bedroom homes was ahead of the trend when they designed their property in 2007.
“We built the hotel with this demographic in mind, and it has proved to be a good call,” says Mark Rose,” Chief Executive, The Rees Hotel Queenstown. “Many extended families travel together, and these configurations give them space to breathe and cook the food they eat at home. Airbnb has proved popular, but a lot of people, especially at that higher end of the market, want service and want to know that their rooms are professionally cleaned daily.”
And Why The Four Seasons Singapore Expanded Their Options
The Four Seasons Hotel Singapore debuted a two-bedroom suite in June after receiving more connecting room requests than they could fulfill. This new offering guarantees guests an interconnecting room type.
“At least 65% of suite bookings came with an additional room request for a connecting set during the recent June holidays,” said Shengwen Chua, Director of Marketing, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore. The Two-Bedroom Club Suite caters to guests who would like to enjoy the luxury of two separate spaces while still being connected through an adjoining door allowing for privacy and togetherness.”
Travelers Want Connected Spaces, But It’s Not Easy
“Navigating hotel stays with our family of eight involves some strategy,” says Blunt. “Ideally, we prefer connecting rooms; however, even luxury hotels don’t have that option. We either have to split up the family or find another hotel which may not be our first choice in location, price, or amenities.”
The Rise in Intergenerational Travel Is Driving The Demand Too
It’s not only families with more than two kids fighting to book spacious rooms. With intergenerational travel on the rise, families traveling with grandparents also look for rooms that connect yet offer private space for kids and adults.
But Actually Getting One of These Hotel Rooms is Rare
“I always want to book connecting rooms as we usually have either my mom or in-laws travel with us, especially when we travel internationally. But six times there was no connecting room available upon check-in, even after confirming when we book,” says Alexandra Caspero, Mom and Founder of Delish Knowledge.
“It negatively impacts our trip, as we typically enjoy our evening in the other room after the kids fall asleep. If we only have one room, we are forced to all go to bed at 7 pm, hang out on the balcony for the rest of the night, or eat our room service dinner out in the hallway on the floor,” she continues.
Timeshare Resorts Meet Today’s Vacation Preferences
People are finding that they can have their cake and eat it too on vacation, leading to a boom in vacation clubs, also known as timeshares. With over 5,000 timeshare resorts worldwide, travelers increasingly consider accommodations already built and designed this way. 70% of timeshare rooms are 2-bedroom condo units inside resorts from brands like Hilton, Marriott, Westin, Hyatt, Disney, and The Four Seasons.
Perhaps It Shouldn’t Be a Surprise Then that Timeshares Are Booming
The State of the Timeshare Industry 2023 Edition unveiled a 30% jump in timeshare sales totaling $10.5 billion and a 21% increase in timeshare rentals of $2.7 billion. Millennials, who travel more than any other generation, make up most of today’s timeshare owners. It shouldn’t be surprising that timeshare resorts are 15% fuller than hotels.
It’s A Hotel and Airbnb in One
“Timeshare accommodations provide travelers with the spacious accommodations that include multi-bedrooms and full kitchens like you would find in an Airbnb but mixed with resort amenities like pools, on-site restaurants, fitness centers, and maybe most important, on-site professional management,” said Jason Gamel, CEO of ARDA, the trade association for the timeshare industry.
It’s A Condo Room at a Resort
Michael Brown, President and CEO of Travel + Leisure Co., shares, “Recent data shows that the features we have at our vacation ownership resorts, including the size of the suites and the amenities we offer, are some of the most important features travelers seek. Data demonstrates that today’s travelers have a renewed interest in staying with a trusted resort or hotel brand, which provides consistent experiences, the security, and amenities people want from brands they rely on,” he continues.
It’s What Today’s Travelers are Looking For
Elise Armitage recently turned to a timeshare for the first time, booking the Hyatt Residence Club Carmel Highlands Inn for her family trip. “I wanted something with a little more space than a typical hotel room and a kitchen since we were there five days and wanted to do some of our own cooking. It was two floors with the primary bedroom downstairs and a pullout couch and kitchen upstairs, so perfect for a family of four,” shares Armitage, a travel blogger at What The Fab.
“I picked this option over an Airbnb because, in the area, they are pretty expensive, and I was able to use my Hyatt points. Plus, it was nice to have amenities like housekeeping and room service that you wouldn’t have access to at an Airbnb,” she continues.
Here’s How I Saved $7,000 On Our Summer Family Vacation To Hawaii
With its unique aloha spirit, volcanic mountain terrain, tropical rainforests, national parks, fantastic food, and the best beaches in the world, it’s not a surprise that Hawaii is a top destination on people’s vacation wish lists. If you think it’s out of reach for your family to visit the Aloha state, here’s how I saved $7,000 on our trip with just two booking strategies.
Here’s How I Saved $7,000 On Our Summer Family Vacation To Hawaii
Hilton Grand Vacations Locations: 10 of the Best Resorts
You’ve probably heard of or stayed at a Hilton before. This brand is recognized worldwide for consistently providing comfortable and luxurious accommodations. Hilton Grand Vacations Club (known as HGVC) is Hilton’s brand of timeshares. They offer condo rooms at the best resorts, location and service you’d expect from the Hilton brand.
Hilton Grand Vacations Locations: 10 of the Best Resorts
What’s a Marriott Timeshare? Plus Their Best Resorts and 5 Things We Loved About Our First Stay
If the words Marriott and Timeshare next to each other have you scratching your head, you’re in the right place! I’m a big fan of timeshare traveling. To me, it’s all the best conveniences of a condo rental plus the amenities and cleanliness protocols of a large upscale hotel brand, like Marriott.
If you’re not interested in owning a timeshare but love the idea of a Marriott condo resort for your next vacation, it’s easy to rent a unit from Marriott directly, a trusted website or a timeshare owner. Even though it was was sold out, we were able to rent a room from another owner, easily and securely.
What’s a Marriott Timeshare? Plus Their Best Resorts and 5 Things We Loved About Our First Stay
7 Websites That Can Save You $1,000 or More on Resort Bookings (Psst, They’re Timeshare Rentals)
According to a Bankrate survey, 70% of U.S. adults are changing their summer vacation plans due to increasing prices across the board, and almost half are canceling plans because they flat out can’t afford them.
If you’re one of those people, before you write off a vacation completely, look at the hotel deals available with timeshare rentals. You can save significant money when you rent a resort room from a timeshare owner. As these individuals set their own rental price, independent of the standard rack room rates of hotels and popular travel booking sites, you can save 50% or more on vacation accommodations at the exact same resorts.
7 Websites That Can Save You $1,000 or More on Resort Bookings (Psst, They’re Timeshare Rentals)
An Honest Review of Redweek + Their 20 Most Popular Resort Condo Rentals
If you’re looking to learn about the rental website Redweek from a real person who has used them, then you’ve come to the right place! With so many vacation rental sites out there, it is hard to know who to trust. However, not only is Redweek a 20-year old, A+ Better Business Bureau rated company, but it’s a place for you to book condo rooms at brand-name resorts like Marriott, Wyndham, Hilton, Hyatt at significant cost savings.
Many people ask me, so what’s the catch? The thing is, there isn’t one! So here’s my honest take on Redweek, a summary of our experience, and why I think they should be a regular website in your vacation shopping rotation.
An Honest Review of Redweek + Their 20 Most Popular Resort Condo Rentals
This article was produced by Media Decision.