HOTELS are “surprisingly” cheaper than Airbnbs, a study has found.
Which? compared hotel rooms’ cost with 300,000 one-bed listings on rental websites.
GettyHotel rooms in Santorini in Greece are cheaper than booking with Airbnb[/caption]
The study included 13 UK destinations and 37 worldwide.
Rentals are reputedly cheaper owing to guests not paying for on-site staff.
But a one-night stay in a hotel was an average of £101, compared with £120 across Airbnb and Vrbo.
On Santorini, Greece, Airbnb and Vrbo listings are costlier at £203 to £119 for hotels.
And rentals for Amsterdam were £183 versus £116.
Hotel rates were also generally cheaper in Asia — by as much as 85 per cent in Hong Kong.
Staycationers could book a hotel in Southwold, Suffolk, for £155, with a rental £223.
Hotels are usually cheaper in all four UK capitals, said the analysis — based on average prices for the year to May.
For Airbnb and Vrbo it took into account listings for entire properties.
The study of hotel rates excluded five-star sites.
Which? Travel’s Rory Boland said: “Many holidaymakers may be surprised to discover hotels are cheaper.
“For larger groups that need more rooms and space, private rentals are still likely to win on price.”