Should you rent a hotel, Airbnb, or VRBO for your Florida vacation? Seasoned travelers have their preferences, but if you are planning your first family vacation to Disney World in Orlando, there are many things to consider.
For all the convenience that VRBO or Airbnb rental vs. hotels in Florida can provide, the cost of additional and unexpected fees can add up. Suppose you want to save money and save more of your holiday budget for experiences (instead of accommodations). In that case, there are some essential things to know before you choose between a hotel and Airbnb for your Florida vacation.
The Allure and Availability of Florida Airbnb Rentals
If you are traveling alone, having an entire home at your disposal for your Florida vacation may be a low priority. However, when traveling with a family or large group of friends, you may consider renting a private residence a better deal.
It all depends on your personal preferences. Many people find renting a suite or hotel room is more convenient and subject to fewer fees than other types of rentals. However, if privacy and more floor space and room are a high priority, you should evaluate local Airbnb rentals close to your favorite Florida attractions.
Where Are Florida Airbnbs Located?
Florida hosts millions of domestic and international tourists annually as a leading global vacation hub. Therefore, it is no surprise that in 2024, many Airbnb properties were available for rent in every major city.
The top four tourist areas have ample Airbnb listings available for vacationers:
- Miami has over 40,000 listings and has more private rental properties per capita than any other city in Florida, with 3,400 rentals per 50,000 people.
- Tampa, Florida, has over 16,000 Airbnb rental properties.
- Orlando has more than 11,000 Airbnbs.
- Jacksonville has almost 8,000 Airbnb properties available for vacation rental.
Few Airbnb properties are available for rent in Orlando, Florida, which seems disproportionate to the demand for accommodations near Disney World and other popular tourist destinations. In Orlando, municipal ordinances require the property owner to live onsite. Laws regarding Airbnb rentals may change as lawmakers crack down on the short-term vacation rental market.
Short-term rentals are illegal if the owner does not reside in the building. Orange County, Florida (Orlando), is not zoned for short-term rentals. However, nearby areas such as Polk County or Osceola do not have the same restrictions and are within reasonable travel distance to most theme parks.
Understanding the Basics: Airbnb Fees Explained
When you reserve hotel accommodations, the fees you will pay are presented when booking. You can expect to pay the daily room rate plus taxes. In some cases, for luxury hotels, you may also be required to pay a separate daily resort fee and parking.
Airbnb accommodations have a more complex (and often expensive) fee structure. Recently, Airbnb made some changes to provide consumers with transparency about the total cost of each rental (and additional fees). That helped eliminate surprise or undisclosed fees for travelers.
When renting an Airbnb, you may be subject to several different additional costs, which can include the following:
Cleaning Fee
The average cleaning fee for each reservation at private rentals is $50 to $80. However, the charge applied to each reservation varies. If you rent an entire home, for example, or one with a spa or pool, you can expect to pay anywhere from $120 to over $200 for larger properties.
Why is a cleaning fee charged? Hotels do not charge an additional cleaning fee unless the room or suite you occupied is excessively messy upon check-out. For example, if you have spilled food or beverages and stained the carpet or bedding, a cleaning and replacement fee for damaged goods may be applied.
Airbnb hosts also charge for replenishing goods such as toilet paper, paper towels, soap, coffee, snacks, or any other conveniences provided to guests. Cleaning fees for your Airbnb vary by geographic location and the size of the rental property and are determined by the “free” amenities provided for your comfort.
Service Fee
As a for-profit business, Airbnb also charges fees to hosts and guests, depending on the property and the agreed service fee structure. Hosts or property owners are charged a split or host-only fee, which can cost anywhere from 3% of the booking charge to 16% of earnings from each rental.
Airbnb guests can be charged a service fee that is usually under 14% of the reservation’s cost. This fee covers the administration of Airbnb services, including marketing, advertising, customer support, liability insurance, and protections for renting property owners.
Early Check-In or Late Check-Out
Some hotels will also charge guests extra for early or late check-in (or check-out). Airbnb reservations are no different. Delays in arrivals may not inconvenience Airbnb property owners, but late departures can prevent the unit from being sanitized and made available for the following reservation.
Extra Charges for Pets
Some properties (like hotels) allow your furry companion to stay with you. However, if your reservation allows pet(s), you can expect to pay a higher cleaning fee.
Private rental hosts cannot charge an additional fee for registered service animals. However, this does not apply to personal support animals (PSA) or non-service animals. Per Airbnb host regulations, the increased rate for pets cannot exceed the nightly base cost of the rental.
Additional Guest Charges
Airbnb properties (like hotels) have a maximum safe capacity or a limit to the number of people who can stay on the property for each reservation. The more people stay with you, the higher the rental cost.
Hotels typically charge extra for more than two guests staying in a suite or room, with costs ranging from $20 to $50 per person on top of the regular room rate. However, many hotels charge only by room, which can help families save money if they travel together.
Parking Fees
Most residential home properties have a driveway, and there is no additional cost for parking 1 to 2 vehicles during your stay. However, if you are renting an apartment or Airbnb condo, there may be a daily parking fee you should know before you schedule your stay.
Extra Cost for Pool or Spa Access
Renting an Airbnb with a pool or hot tub (spa) can provide extra fun and relaxation. Airbnb hosts can charge additional fees for utility charges (heated pools or spas), linens, and more. Those are extra costs you typically do not experience while staying at a hotel.
Location, Location, Location: The Price of Proximity
Airbnb rentals near popular tourist destinations in Florida (such as Orlando) are more expensive. Common sense tells you that travelers enjoy the convenience of accommodations central to all the activities they want to enjoy.
Hotels have an advantage in cost because of the volume of rooms available for reservation. While an Airbnb property owner is limited to hosting a few guests throughout the month, hotels have more inventory and can offer better discounts.
Minimum Loyalty Rewards Benefits for Staying in an Airbnb
Some travelers may think renting accommodations at a private property is more economical than staying in a 3-—to 4-star hotel in Florida. However, that is usually not the case when you factor in loyalty rewards and frequent traveler bonus offers.
Many hotels offer loyalty rewards programs that can discount your stay or qualify you for points that can be applied to other perks and benefits. When you sign up with different hotel chains, you earn points; if you pay for your vacation with credit cards that also offer bonus miles or perks, those loyalty rewards can provide some big savings.
Airbnb does not directly offer a loyalty rewards program for guests. However, Delta Airlines and British Airways Avios allow members to earn bonus miles. Special terms and conditions apply depending on the program. Other credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire, have periodic promotions that allow cardholders to use bonus points for Airbnb reservations.
Invest time calculating all additional fees when planning and budgeting for your Florida vacation. That will provide an accurate cost comparison when deciding between a private rental or staying at one of Florida’s famous vacation resorts.
