Why am I qualified to write this [Smackdown]? You know I am biased.
Because I am sitting in an AirBnB overlooking the beach in Lagos, Portugal (which is the most southern area of Portugal).
And — aside from a couple of short stays at nearby all-inclusive resorts — I will be sitting here for the summer.
Plus, our family owns 4 short-term rentals that are marketed through VRBO and AirBnB.
So that makes me highly qualified to share my opinion.
You likely don’t have all day to read my poetic waxing about the pros and cons of each.
So I am going to get right to it.
If an AirBnB is an apple….
Then an All Inclusive Resort is an apple pie.
Yes, they both taste like apple…..but they are so different that there is no comparison.
An AirBnB is for those that want to experience living like the locals.
An All-Inclusive Resort is for those that want to relax and live like royalty.
So, if you want to shop for groceries, cook your own food, clean up after yourself, lug your own chairs and umbrella to the beach, pay extra for any entertainment or activities, and make decisions on what to do all day/night – then rock the AirBnB.
If you want to have maids and butlers at your beck and call, incredible food choices available 24×7, loads of onsite activities and the gear you may need to enjoy them, and to narrow your decision-making process down to – which drink at which body of water – then an All Inclusive is what you want.
I like them both.
But when I am burnt out from the daily grind and just need to unwind, I head for an All-Inclusive.
If I am bored and want to experience an area where I might someday choose to live, I choose an AirBNB – it forces me to get out and shop for my own food, as well as learn how to get around the area and what it costs to live there.
Notice I have not talked about booking a typical hotel room……that is for work trips, not vacations – and has no place here. Ewww, gross.
btw….I am headed over to the Iberostar Algarve to get my All-Inclusive fix once I get tired of shopping, cooking, making my own bed, washing my own towels, and deciding which of the 434 things I should do today.
BTW….Here’s a checklist of things I ask before booking an AirBnB or VRBO:
- Is the wifi high-speed so you can stream movies? Does the TV service include any channels – in English?
- Is there air conditioning? In all rooms like typical HVAC? (not just an overhead fan or window AC unit in one room)
- Is there enough toilet paper? (not kidding)
- Is there enough bedding/pillows? (more bedding = more wash = more expense, so often not provided unless requested)
- Is the hot water working at all taps?
- Is there a coffeemaker & tea kettle in the kitchen?
- What gets cleaned / refreshed / restocked between guests?
- How noisy is the area at night?
- How far is the closest grocery store (walking and driving)?
- Do they have umbrellas & beach chairs (if near a beach) or bicycles you can use?
Yes, all of these questions are necessary, and based on experience (we’ve stayed in some short-term rentals that were NOT cheap but lacked basic amenities…I don’t mind bringing my own toiletries but draw the line at packing a coffeemaker in my carryon).
Oh, and bring a pair of heavy wool socks or slippers, as most short-term rentals have tile floors, which can be cold and sandy and sticky after a few days.
We have found most AirBnB Hosts are very responsive – they really want good reviews – just be sure you ask a LOT of questions before booking.
But if that list of questions leaves you exhausted just from the asking, you may be in need of a no-wallet-no-worries type of vacation that an all-inclusive resort offers.
“I will keep a seat at the swim-up bar warm for ya”
~Jake
P.S. FYI – the latest from the Gubmint: “Americans will be able to renew their passports securely online, saving time from having to wait and the effort and cost required to print, go to a post office, and use a paper check.”
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