I used to prefer hostels as a solo traveler: social spaces, organized activities, and an easy way to meet people. Over nearly two decades on the road, though, I’ve come to appreciate apartments and rooms for the privacy and comforts they offer — a place to cook, relax on a couch, and feel at home.
How apartment rentals work
Apartment rental platforms let locals list a single room, a guesthouse, or an entire home. Hosts post photos and descriptions, set a calendar and price, and guests search, request, and confirm bookings. The process is similar to booking a hotel, but the experience sits between hostels and hotels: more space and home comforts than a hostel, often more personality and value than a hotel.
When to choose a rental
– Traveling with friends or family: a whole apartment usually works out far cheaper per person and gives you communal space.
– Solo travelers who want local interaction: renting a room in someone’s home can be cheaper than a hostel and often comes with insider tips from the host.
– Longer stays or work trips: accommodations with kitchens and living areas make life easier and more comfortable.
Look for “Rooms” or host-lived listings
Platforms have moved toward professional rentals, but many still offer single rooms or guest suites where the owner lives on-site. These listings are closer to the original sharing economy idea and are less likely to worsen local housing shortages. If possible, prioritize listings where the host actually lives at the property.
How to pick the right apartment
No single rule guarantees a perfect stay, but these criteria greatly reduce surprises:
1. Positive reviews: repeated praise from past guests is the best indicator the listing matches reality.
2. Number of listings: hosts with many properties are often professional operators. If you want a personal touch and to support locals, prefer single-listing hosts.
3. Accurate, numerous photos: low-quality or few photos may be hiding issues.
4. Active host status: check how recently the host has logged in and whether they respond quickly.
5. Updated calendar: stale calendars can lead to last-minute cancellations. If the calendar hasn’t been updated in weeks, be cautious.
6. Verification: platform-verified hosts are generally more trustworthy.
7. Past guest experience: if the host has also been a guest on the platform, that’s a good sign.
Use these as guidelines, not hard rules. Sometimes a place will miss a few checks and still be excellent. Trust your judgment and the overall pattern of signals.
Avoiding overtourism and displacement
Short-term rentals have contributed to rising rents and pushed locals out of some neighborhoods. In many popular destinations, entire buildings have been converted to tourist rentals. To avoid making local housing problems worse:
– Prefer a room in someone’s home or a licensed B&B when staying in big cities or sensitive destinations.
– Look for listings that explicitly state the host lives there or that the property is a registered short-term rental with local licensing.
– Avoid booking obviously professional portfolios that remove housing stock from the long-term market.
Your choices as a traveler matter — pick options that keep neighborhoods livable for residents.
Safety considerations
Platforms use verification, messaging history, reviews, and payment escrow to reduce risk. If a listing isn’t as advertised, most platforms offer 24-hour support and will help you get relocated and refunded. Common-sense precautions still help: read reviews carefully, communicate via the platform, don’t hand over cash, and report issues promptly.
Best sites and alternatives
– Airbnb: wide selection, including rooms and entire homes.
– VRBO: strong for whole-home vacation rentals.
– Campspace: for private campsites and outdoor stays.
For long-term or slow travel, consider house-sitting and pet-sitting — you exchange caretaking for free accommodation and often get a deeper local experience.
Practical trip-planning tips
– Flights: use a global search engine to compare carriers and sites and find the best fares.
– Accommodation booking: use specialized sites for hostels or hotels and compare results to get the best deals.
– Travel insurance: always travel with insurance to cover illness, injury, theft, or cancellations. Pick a plan suited to your budget and trip style.
– Travel credit cards: if you want to earn points for free flights and stays, research cards that match your travel habits.
– Rental cars: compare international rental marketplaces for the best rates.
– Activities and tours: use reputable marketplaces to prebook walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, and local experiences.
Final thoughts
When chosen thoughtfully, apartment rentals are safe, affordable, and often more authentic than hotels. Prioritize hosts who live at the property or licensed operations, check reviews and photos, and be mindful of local housing impacts. Do your homework, trust your instincts, and you can enjoy the comfort of a home away from home on your next trip.