As Americans prepare for the busiest travel season of the year, a new survey from Upgraded Points reveals that 62 percent of travelers prefer hotels to short-term rentals like Airbnb or Vrbo, citing better amenities, fewer fees, and greater price transparency as key factors in their decision.
Surveying more than 2,000 U.S. travelers, the study explores how price, convenience, and ethical considerations such as housing affordability influence where Americans stay during the holidays. The findings highlight why hotels remain the top choice for most travelers in this holiday season, even as short-term rentals continue to attract those seeking privacy, space, and home-style comforts.
“Travelers are thinking beyond price this year,” Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points, said in a statement. “Convenience, transparency, and even community impact are shaping where people stay for the holidays.”
Key Takeaways
- Hotels are the preferred choice of most Americans this holiday season, with 62 percent choosing hotels and 38 percent choosing short-term rentals.
- Top reasons for choosing hotels: Amenities (73 percent), no cleaning rules or surprise fees (62 percent), and easy booking/cancellation policies (52 percent).
- Cost perception and transparency: 64 percent believe hotels are cheaper for domestic travel, and 76 percent say they’re more transparent about pricing and fees.
- Why others choose short-term rentals: 75 percent value more space and privacy, 68 percent appreciate kitchen access and homestyle amenities, and 56 percent prefer them for larger groups or families.
- Housing impact concerns: Over 70 percent believe short-term rentals drive up housing costs in popular destinations, with agreement strongest among Gen Z and millennials (75 percent).
- Support for regulation: 61 percent think cities should restrict the number of short-term rentals in high-demand housing areas to help maintain affordability.
State-by-State Highlights
While most states favor hotels, several show stronger support for short-term rentals this season:
- North Carolina: 55.6 percent short-term rental, 44.4 percent hotel — popular for mountain cabins and coastal getaways
- South Carolina: 52.9 percent short-term rental, 47.1 percent hotel — beach destinations and barrier islands drive strong rental demand
- Colorado: 52.7 percent short-term rental, 47.3 percent hotel — mountain towns and ski resorts lead rental interest
- Oregon: 52.0 percent short-term rental, 48.0 percent hotel — cozy cabins and rural retreats appeal to holiday travelers
- California: 51.9 percent short-term rental, 48.1 percent hotel — unique lodging experiences and high hotel prices keep rentals competitive
- Maine: 51.4 percent short-term rental, 48.6 percent hotel — winter coastal escapes and charming home rentals dominate seasonal travel
- Arkansas: 53.7 percent short-term rental, 46.3 percent hotel — cabins and lakefront homes attract families seeking affordable holiday stays
Holiday Lodging
While hotels continue to dominate, the divide between traditional and short-term stays reflects the modern traveler’s evolving priorities. Convenience, cost transparency, and amenities give hotels an edge, but privacy, space, and homestyle comforts keep short-term rentals competitive.
Even amid rising concerns over housing affordability, travelers remain split. Half of the respondents say such concerns would deter them from booking a short-term rental during the holidays, while the other half say they would still choose one for the right price and location.
The full survey can be found here.