Booking or AirBNB. Which is better?

Booking or AirBNB. Which is better?

Okay, I've got my property fully prepared for holiday rentals after all the tedious paperwork!!! Now, how do I start receiving guests? A friend told me my house is ideal for 'an AirBnB,' but that sounds like renting a room, like my niece did on her trip through Europe. Then there's Booking, which I've used to book hotels for my trips, but I'm not sure if my two-bedroom apartment fits there. Where do I start?

Well, we asked ourselves all these questions (and many more) a few years ago when we started Sunrise Apartments. Today, I will try to explain our procedure for starting to receive bookings immediately.

When Sunrise Apartments acquires a new property for management, our priority is for the owner to start receiving income as soon as possible. To achieve this, and after observing which platforms have worked best for us, here is our preferred order.

1. Booking: If we have to highlight one platform above all others for results, it's booking.com. We currently receive 70% of our bookings through this portal, a significant figure. I would highlight its customer service and its Genius property rewards system, which, in exchange for an extra commission percentage, gives you greater visibility (though, you must meet certain requirements before becoming a Genius property). For these reasons and many more, which we will delve into in a future post exclusively about this platform, Booking is our favorite.
2. Airbnb: The second favorite platform among our guests, this company was born with a disruptive seal and is now, especially in the United States, the number one vacation rental platform, and that's no coincidence. Above all, I would highlight its platform, which is very visual and intuitive, and its relaxed and friendly approach with both guests and owners. Like Booking, it has a reward system for positioning called Superhost, for which you must also meet certain requirements.
3. Beyond these two platforms, at Sunrise Apartments, we work with up to 30 more to boost and maximize bookings for the accommodations we manage. I would highlight Vrbo, Tripadvisor, or Expedia , to name a few.

But aside from our personal feelings about each platform, what are the main differences between them? First of all, we want to make it clear that it's not about one being good and the other bad. In fact, both are leaders in their sector and perform very well.

6 differences between Booking and Airbnb

To understand the differences, we also need to consider the guest's perspective. When traveling, it's essential to secure a hotel reservation to be as comfortable as possible. That's why choosing the best option can not only allow us to get a good price but also provide the necessary amenities.

However, both services share similarities, so learning to distinguish the differences can help you decide between one or the other without much difficulty. Whether you're thinking of creating an account on Booking or Airbnb, it's important to consider how these two services differ.

On Airbnb, you find homes for rent

The giant Airbnb acts as an intermediary for both parties, guest and host, to negotiate the property rental. This has allowed many travelers to stay in both elegant places and more modest spaces that suit all budgets.

While it's true that the website takes a commission for providing the service, the contract is entirely between the owner and the tenant. This is an advantage, as Airbnb hosts have direct contact with those who intend to rent their property.

Airbnb is a collaborative platform

One of the advantages Airbnb offers is user interaction on its website. Here, not only hosts can add comments or notes, but also the users themselves who have utilized their services.

This option allows first-time visitors to the portal to compare opinions and determine if the service is suitable.

Furthermore, its SEO positioning team has enabled effective information management, so its advertisements not only have visibility but also attract new users looking for an alternative to hotel chains.

Airbnb allows direct interaction

This point is important for both guests and hosts. With Airbnb's services, both parties can communicate directly before finalizing the contract. This allows them to know the rental conditions, property status, services, and price, which is not possible on Booking.

By using Airbnb, hosts offer greater security to guests, increasing the chances of finalizing the rental. Additionally, with this option, guests gain more relevant information to determine if it suits their needs.

Booking's automated system

On the other hand, Booking offers a much faster experience thanks to its automated system. Since this platform is more geared towards hotels, the process has fewer obstacles compared to Airbnb's property rentals.

On Booking, if the property is available when the user accesses it, the rental is processed automatically without prior conversations with the host. The rental is paid, and the service can be enjoyed.

Booking does not charge a booking fee

Although booking fees are very popular in the hotel industry, Booking does not follow this model. Once the guest completes the rental, they can start enjoying their accommodation without any issues.

However, if guests plan to stay for several months, a small percentage is included in their monthly bill. This addition to their bill is for reserving the property for another month.

Real-time photos of rooms on Booking

One of Booking's great advantages is that it offers a good number of detailed, real-time photos of properties. These include photos of facades, furniture, structural conditions, among others.

This is done to ensure the guest is confident about staying in that space, as well as to offer greater security. The photos are usually updated as changes are made to the accommodation, should this occur.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, if I had to choose just one, either due to its geographical location (Spain) or perhaps because of time constraints, it would be Booking. I would start there, trying to learn all the ins and outs of its extranet, and you will surely start receiving bookings.

But luckily, I don't have to choose just one, so you can use either of the two platforms to get started and gradually add new avenues for renting out your property.