But once we stayed in a few of the resorts and compared the two options, there was a clear winner: The resorts provide so many more options for a family than an Airbnb does, and you can count on there being staff, pools, activities, and an overall resort vibe. Plus, they’re run by well-known brands like Marriott or Wyndham or Disney, so you can rest assured that you and your family will arrive to a unit that’s professionally cleaned and looks exactly like what you booked.  

Compare that to a vacation rental. Renting someone’s home on Airbnb sounds like a great option, but for every positive experience, there are about ten horror stories. Now, we steer clear of Airbnb and vacation only using timeshares. We know we can count on a quality stay, a top-notch location, and most important, the confidence that what we booked is what we’ll get. 

6 Reasons You Should Rent a Timeshare Over an Airbnb

1. They’re Safer and Cleaner.

The resorts are run by major brands, so they follow strict cleaning protocols and use quality sanitation products. When we stay with any of the major companies, we can arrive confident that they’ve followed the procedures and that no one has been in our villa but us. When it comes to someone’s home you’ve found on Airbnb, you have to trust that a stranger’s cleaning will be up to par.

2. They’re Reliable.

Beyond housekeeping, staying in a resort run by Disney, Wyndham, Hilton, and the like means that the staff are trained to high standards, the grounds will be well maintained, and the experience will be pretty consistent. Vacation homes on Airbnb don’t have to live up to a brand standard of anything.

3. You Can Save a Ton of Money.

Our friends spend astronomical amounts on vacations, and they are always asking us how they can afford to vacation like we do. Easy: Stay in a timeshare! In most situations, renting one costs a lot less than a comparable listing on Airbnb — not to mention that you’ll have a lot more options on property. If we hadn’t figured this out, we wouldn’t be able to take our kids on vacation as often and for as long as we do! 

4. You’ll Have a Lot More Food Options

Food allergies, special diets, COVID concerns… There are so many more reasons you may want to cook for yourself on vacation. Most timeshare units come with full kitchens so you can eat in, order takeout, and make the kids their favorite breakfast. While you can make your own meals in Airbnbs, too, many of the resorts have restaurants on-site. That’s a game changer — especially after a long day of sightseeing. After all, you’re on vacation, too!

5. You Can’t Beat the Amenities! 

When was the last time you stayed at an Airbnb that had multiple pools, lazy rivers, private beach access, playgrounds, tons of outdoor activities, and kids’ activity centers — all right on site? Didn’t think so. Amenities at an Airbnb home rental are very limited, and you’ll be paying top dollar for each one. Plus, no activities for the kids! Who wants to be stuck in an Airbnb during bad weather and with nothing to do?

6. The Locations Are Ideal 

Most timeshare resorts are under the umbrella of their parent hotel company, and are placed in prime locations in all the destinations you want to visit. In many cases, it’s part of a larger “traditional” resort, and you’ll have access to all of those facilities, including a huge variety of restaurants. We’re sure you’ve heard stories about vacationers arriving at an Airbnb and realizing how sketchy the location is!

Ready to try renting a timeshare? Browse the listings on KOALA!

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