Before You Rent an Apartment Abroad…

Written By Krista Nannery

Many Airbnbs don’t have enough seating for all guests and/or have very uncomfortable seating.

Some of my clients recently stayed in a Paris apartment and realized something important: they’re hotel people. If you’re not sure where you land, here are a few things to consider before you move forward with an apartment rental abroad.

  • Have you done this before? An international trip should not be the first time you experiment with apartment rental abroad.

  • Do you like hotel breakfasts? Because unless your Airbnb host delivers croissants to your door, you’re making your own coffee and foraging for breakfast.

  • Do you like fresh towels and daily housekeeping? Not happening at a standard Airbnb. You're the housekeeper now.

  • Do you want to wash your towels on vacation? Hope you like hang-drying — most European Airbnbs don’t have dryers. Some barely have washing machines.

  • Do you like fresh sheets every other day? Again, not happening at a standard Airbnb.

  • Do you like to sit down? One thing I learned as an Airbnb Property Manager in London and as a Plum Guide property reviewer: Most inexpensive rental properties don’t have enough seating for all the guests. At the Plum Guide, I had to carefully review seating arrangements before approving a property for the platform. If the property said it slept six, there had to be enough sofa seating for six. It was amazing how many properties failed this simple test. The other thing I learned is that many properties use very cheap IKEA furniture which can be very uncomfortable. Like in the picture at the top of this post! Does that look like a “sofa” you want to curl up on?

  • Do you want a concierge who can help with restaurant reservations, directions, or emergencies? A good hotel concierge is worth their weight in gold. An Airbnb host may or may not answer your WhatsApp message. Eventually.

  • Is there someone on-site if something goes wrong? Like a toilet that won’t flush, or the heat stops working? Hotels fix things. Airbnb hosts… might send a handyman tomorrow. (I once rented an Airbnb in Sao Paulo and the toilet wouldn’t flush. 12 hours later and it still hadn’t been fixed. So I booked a Marriott and then had to fight Airbnb for my money back.)

  • Do you want someone to help with your bags, hail you a taxi, or recommend a great wine bar? These little touches at a hotel can make your trip way more enjoyable.

  • Is the property up to code? Hotels follow fire safety rules. Not all Airbnbs do. Not all Airbnbs even have smoke detectors. I also have concerns about carbon monoxide.

  • How many people have access to the property? Is there an old school key or keyless entry with an entry code that can be changed for each guest?

  • Do you like knowing exactly what you’re getting? Hotel rooms are predictable. Airbnb listings can be aspirational — and not always accurate.

  • Do you care about the places you visit? In many cities — Venice, Barcelona, Lisbon, Paris — short-term rentals have driven up housing costs for locals, forcing families and artists out of historic neighborhoods. The result? Fewer bakeries, fewer kids in the streets, and fewer signs of real life. When you stay in a hotel, you’re supporting jobs and helping preserve the cultural fabric that made you want to visit in the first place.

Bottom line: If you value service, comfort, and a little pampering when you travel, a hotel might be the better choice. And there are some amazing hotels out there. (Ask me. I know them.)

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso luxury travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Prior to moving to Florida to take care of my elderly mom with Parkinson’s Disease, I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England. My career and personal travel have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others as a Virtuoso travel advisor. I offer a 30 minute complimentary vacation consultation for anyone looking to plan their next trip.

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Krista Nannery
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