B&Bs vs. Airbnb Comparison [Atmosphere, Price, Safety, Amenities]

Bed And BreakfastsAirbnb
Written By Taz Zaidi

Bed And Breakfasts vs. Airbnb

Many people conflate “B&B” with “Airbnb”.

While “Airbnb” stands for “air bed and breakfast”, these two accommodation types are actually quite different in many ways - especially if you’re a traveler who is accustomed to the standard hotel experience.

In this guide, we’ll compare bed and breakfasts with Airbnb.

After defining both, I’ll compare B&Bs and Airbnb by atmosphere, price, safety, privacy and amenities, then I’ll give my opinion on which type of traveler would prefer either type of lodging. To read our full B&Bs vs. Hotels comparison guide, click here.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

Definition Of A Bed And Breakfast

A bed and breakfast (abbreviated “B&B”) is a hosted accommodation that includes a homemade breakfast in the nightly rate. B&Bs are typically family-run properties, with fewer rooms than hotels. B&B hosts often live in or near the same property as their guests, which creates a homely atmosphere. To learn more about how B&Bs work, click here.

Definition Of An Airbnb

Airbnb.com is a marketplace where hosts list their places for rent, then guests book those places online. What differentiates Airbnb from other big booking sites, is that Airbnb hosts can list practically any type of space - from a bed to a private mansion or island. Bed and breakfasts can be listed on Airbnb. Airbnb offers arguably the widest range of lodging options of any major booking site. However, if someone tells you they’re “renting an Airbnb”, this usually means they’re renting a private or shared apartment or entire house (hosted by an individual, not by a business).

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

Airbnb’s Effect On Bed And Breakfasts

So, what’s been Airbnb’s effect on bed and breakfasts?

As a disruptive force in the travel industry, Airbnb has surely taken customers from bed and breakfasts. However, Airbnb also makes travelers generally more comfortable with the idea of staying in someone’s home as a travel option, which opens many of them up to the idea of staying in a B&B on a future trip.

However, many of the travelers who book B&Bs, do so for the personal service and homemade breakfast the host provides. Airbnb likely is not taking many of these “would-be guests” from B&Bs, as it specializes in offering a variety of lodging options, not on host service or breakfast. Comparatively, Airbnb hosts tend to be much more hands-off than B&B hosts.

While “Airbnb” stands for “air bed and breakfast”, and the company’s founders started their business by hosting guests on their own air mattresses, the modern version of Airbnb offers much more. Today, B&Bs comprise a small fraction of Airbnb’s lodging options. Sites like Vrbo.com and Agoda.com are popular for travelers specifically seeking B&B stays.

B&Bs vs. Airbnb Comparison

It’s important to remember that it’s possible to find bed and breakfasts listed on Airbnb. However, when someone says they’re “renting an Airbnb”, this is typically referring to a private or shared apartment or house rental (hosted by an individual, not a business). We’ll assume this meaning of “Airbnb” for this guide.

Now let’s compare B&Bs to Airbnb in 5 key categories:

  • Atmosphere

  • Price

  • Safety

  • Privacy

  • Amenities

Atmosphere Comparison

B&Bs: Stays are more homely and personalized

Airbnb: Offers more privacy and “residential” feel

B&Bs are typically family-owned and operated. The host often lives in or near the same property as their guests. Of all lodging options, B&Bs offer perhaps the most “personal” and warmest hospitality. Guests interact with their host (and potentially other guests) during the stay. This intimate setting is a major draw and reason why travelers choose this type of lodging.

For example, a B&B host may ask their guests when they want breakfast to be served, rather than assigning a time for them. Homemade breakfast is often served on a large table where all guests can sit together, or on smaller tables where groups can sit separately. Some hosts set up a “treats table” (with snacks, drinks, etc.), from which guests can take from as they please.

A major advantage to booking a bed and breakfast is that you’ll get to interact with a local host and learn their culture in an intimate way. But by booking an “entire place” Airbnb, you’ll receive more privacy during your stay (you might not even see your host).

Airbnb hosts often set up their rental in a way that minimizes interaction with guests. In my experience using Airbnb for many years, this has become very common - as an increasing number of people turn to Airbnb hosting as a way to earn extra income.

With self check-in Airbnb bookings, guests typically don’t see their host at all. Room keys or codes allow guests to enter and exit the rental at any hour. But in B&Bs, many hosts lock the front door overnight, and some have evening curfew (for example, 12 to 6 am).

Bed and breakfasts tend to attract couples, retirees, professionals and small families. Guests typically book shorter stays (2 to 3 nights), while Airbnb stays vary widely in duration. Budget-conscious travelers often find greater variety and value on Airbnb.

An Airbnb rental is typically an apartment or house rental that provides a “residential feel”. These can be ideal for travelers seeking stays of a week or longer, and even more ideal for long-term stays (28+ days). To read about short-term vs. long-term Airbnb stays (and how to find percentage discounts), click here.

Airbnb rentals typically lack common areas (where you can easily meet and interact with other guests), but offer great privacy. On the other hand, B&Bs usually have a lobby and/or common area (though typically much smaller and more compact than what you’d find in most mid-sized hotels).

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

Price Comparison

B&Bs: Cost of breakfast is typically included

Airbnb: Nightly rates are typically lower

In most destinations, the nightly rates for Airbnb rentals range more widely than B&B nightly rates. For example, while you may find Airbnb listings for under $10/night to $500+/night in one destination, bed and breakfast rooms may start at $30/night but likely won’t exceed $300/night in that same location.

In my experience, the “average” B&B room typically costs more than the “average” private Airbnb rental. Reasons for this include: a B&B host’s involvement, potential staff, and B&Bs include breakfast in their nightly rate. Also, some local jurisdictions require B&B hosts to pay liability insurance and regulatory expenses. However, many places around the world do not impose rules and regulations on Airbnb hosts (but this has been changing quickly over the years).

Other factors that may affect nightly rates of B&Bs and Airbnb rentals include: the types of properties in an area and the seasonality. Airbnb hosts can offer weekly or monthly discounts (up to 50%). To learn all about how short and long-term Airbnb stays work (including the pros and cons), click here.

B&B nightly rates typically include breakfast, while Airbnb rentals typically do not. This means, $120 for a B&B that includes breakfast for two, would cost less overall than a $100 Airbnb rental for two, if you end up paying $40 more to eat breakfast out - something to consider if price is important to you.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

Safety Comparison

For both, safety depends on the particular rental.

You can encounter good and bad hosts/properties in both types of lodging. For B&B guests, the primary safety concern is that a property lacks any overnight staff and/or security cameras. For Airbnb guests, the main concern is that you’ll book a place in an unsafe neighborhood, because you’re likely unfamiliar with the area that you’re traveling to.

For the above reasons, always stick to properties that have already earned a high guest rating. Book B&Bs on trusted sites like Agoda.com and Vrbo.com. For how to find a B&B that fits your tastes and budget, follow our B&B Booking Guide. For exactly how to find trustworthy hosts and quality listings on Airbnb, follow our Airbnb Booking Guide. To learn more about safety in a B&B, click here. To learn more about the topic of Airbnb safety, click here.

Privacy Comparison

B&Bs: Expect to interact with your host

Airbnb: Interaction with your host is optional

B&B guests are greeted by their hosts upon checking in, and could potentially see their host each time they enter or exit their room. B&B guests should expect to interact with, or be in close proximity to, other guests during their stays (especially during breakfast hours).

Bed and breakfast properties offer private or shared bathrooms, or both (depending on room/property you book). To learn about shared space etiquette in B&Bs, read our B&B Etiquette Guide.

The level of privacy you’ll have during an Airbnb stay depends on the “type” of place you book. The four “types” of places on Airbnb include: entire place, private room, hotel room and shared room listings.

  • Entire place: You’ll have the whole space to yourself

  • Private room: You’ll have a room within a house, apartment or business

  • Hotel room: You’re renting a room within a hotel

  • Shared room: You’ll have a bed within a room in a home or business

By booking an “entire place” rental, you’ll have full privacy (including en-suite bathroom). These days, it’s become increasingly common for hosts to offer self check-in. To learn more about these four types of Airbnb places, click here. If you’ll stay in a shared Airbnb rental, read our Airbnb Etiquette Guide.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

Amenities Comparison

Amenities vary in both B&Bs and Airbnbs.

You can potentially find a range of amenities and/or features in both options (like a hot tub, balcony, etc.). Some B&Bs offer package rates (like a lodging, dinner and ski lesson package). Some Airbnb hosts also serve breakfast, but this is atypical. For how to find the 15 amenities Airbnb guests commonly seek out in a stay (like a pool, gym and view), click here.

To find a B&B with abundant amenities, consider increasing your budget and filter your search results. If you want a specific type of bed and breakfast (like a waterfront or themed B&B), read The 13 Types Of B&Bs. Some bed and breakfasts also offer events or activities for their guests, such as wine tasting, guided hikes, walking tours and cooking classes.

Airbnb hosts are expected to provide guests with 5 essential amenities: toilet paper, soap, linens, a towel (per guest) and pillow (per guest). Typically, B&B hosts provide one towel (per guest), shampoo and soap. Both types of lodging may offer additional amenities (bathrobe, water bottles, etc.), depending on the particular host/property that you book with.

Of course, there are some items all travelers should consider bringing to a B&B or Airbnb stay. For the 5 items to bring to an Airbnb rental, click here. For the 5 items to bring to your B&B stay, click here.

Private Airbnb rentals are usually an apartment or house rental without a staffed reception - meaning there’s no place to store bags if you arrive early (or for pick-up after you check out). This could be an issue if you arrive early and don’t want to drag luggage around town until check-in. B&Bs will typically offer luggage storage during operating hours. To learn how check-in and checkout work on Airbnb, click here.

B&B kitchen access is often shared between guests, and possibly with the host. For shared kitchen etiquette in a bed and breakfast, click here. For how to find and book a B&B that offers kitchen access, click here. Airbnbs can provide private or shared kitchen access (depending on the listing you book).

Some bed and breakfasts are also half or full board. In the travel industry, “half board” means a lodging that serves 2 meals per day, while “full board” lodging will serve 3 meals per day. To learn about how lunch and dinner work in a bed and breakfast, click here.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

So, Which Option Should You Choose?

The decision comes down to your own preferences.

Consider a B&B if you want a charming atmosphere, homemade breakfast, service from a local host and if you do not mind potentially interacting with other guests during your stay. To find a B&B that fits your tastes and budget, follow our B&B Booking Guide. For the 10 reasons to experience a B&B, click here.

Consider an Airbnb rental if you prefer more space, possibly lower priced options, independence from a host, and more privacy. Airbnb rentals typically don’t offer the same level of service as B&Bs. To find your ideal Airbnb, follow our Airbnb Booking Guide. For 13 reasons to stay in an Airbnb, click here.

*Agoda.com sells quality, discounted bed and breakfasts (UP TO $50 OFF!). To see today’s deals on B&Bs in any destination, click here.

Conclusion

Hopefully you found this guide helpful.

As someone who stays in both B&Bs and Airbnbs, I don’t believe one is better than the other. The choice comes down to preference and the experience you’re seeking out of the trip. To learn more about bed and breakfasts or Airbnb, explore our guides below.

Enjoy your travels!

How To Find A Bed And Breakfast

Agoda.com provides bed and breakfasts for couples, solo travelers, groups and families. For today’s deals on B&Bs in your destination, click here. For a step-by-step guide showing you exactly how to find your ideal B&B, follow our B&B Booking Guide.

Learn More About Airbnb

Introduction To Airbnb

Understand Your Options

Get Started With Airbnb

Know Before You Go

Specific Types Of Bookings

Cancellations, Refunds And Changes

Airbnb’s Other Listing Categories

Airbnb’s Other Features

Help With Your Account

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Taz Zaidi [Author]
Taz Zaidi [Author]

Taz Zaidi is an American travel writer and the founder/creator of TRVLGUIDES.com. Connect with him on Instagram (@tazzaidi) or on his personal website, at tazzaidi.com.

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Taz Zaidi
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