Airbnb might be the go-to booking app for many people’s vacation rentals, but you don’t have to limit yourself to just one app.
1 Booking.com
I use Booking.com for almost all of my vacation rentals these days, and it’s one of the accommodation sites I always check before traveling.
Although known for its broad selection of hotels, the app has a surprisingly large number of alternative accommodation options. For example, on one city break in June 2024, I used Booking.com to rent an apartment for a few days.
To find vacation rentals on Booking.com, I suggest using filters to narrow things down. Some of the most important things to me are:
- Location from the city center (if I’m on a city break)
- The view (I prefer having a nice view if I’m booking a vacation rental)
- Fun things to do nearby (for example, I love hiking and would like to do this if there are options)
You can fine-tune your search in Booking.com with other handy filters, such as kitchen facilities, vacation rental type, and whether you have a private bathroom.
The latter is especially important, in my opinion; I personally don’t like sharing a bathroom with others. Booking.com allows you to choose whether to pay upfront or just before your trip, though your options and cancelation periods will vary from property to property.
2 Homestay
As great as Booking.com is, I sometimes feel like the vacation rentals are still a bit “formal.” If you want more of an authentic experience, Homestay is an excellent alternative.
As the name suggests, you’ll stay in someone else’s home for the duration of your trip. This is a great option if you enjoy meeting new people. The website is also great if you’re traveling on a budget, though some more expensive options are also available.
Homestay is largely geared toward students, but it’s also an ideal option if you’re traveling solo. You can view a host profile briefly introducing them before booking. This helps give you an idea of whether you think you’ll get along with them. You can even arrange meals with your host.
You can use Homestay in several US cities, including Seattle and Los Angeles. However, it’s also possible to find hosts across Europe, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world.
3 Vrbo
Vrbo is the closest like-for-like Airbnb replacement that you’ll find on this list.
The platform works in a similar way; you can choose your home type, pricing range, and the number of guests you want to look for. It’s also very user-friendly, and I prefer the user interface to Airbnb.
You’ll find a small number of hostels and hotels when browsing through Vrbo. However, most are either rental apartments or people letting you stay at their homes.
Regardless of where in the US you visit, you should have numerous options. The same goes for Europe and other parts of the world.
Vrbo also lets you browse the entire US based on an accommodation type, such as cottages and villas. Moreover, you can choose from a selection of trip recommendations. The app allows you to message hosts in advance and ensure that you have everything needed to plan your trip itinerary.
Besides using Vrbo’s website, you can also use Tripadvisor to browse Vrbo listings if you prefer its interface. Simply click on Vacation Rentals and search for your preferred destination and dates.
Whether you’re looking for a fun weekend away or a relaxing week or two, you don’t have to just visit Airbnb for vacation rentals.
Broadening your search will give you more options to choose from. Most rentals appear across multiple platforms, so it’s worth picking the one that you enjoy using the most.