When you're planning a trip and are considering the available options for accommodations, you might be interested in checking out a home-rental website — especially if your friends have talked about using this sort of service on previous trips. While there are some benefits to this form of accommodation, don't overlook the many benefits of staying in a hotel. The home rental ideal might seem trendy and fun, but the many positive factors associated with opting for a hotel instead should make this your choice. Here are some of those factors that you should think about.

Security

When you stay in a hotel, whether it's a conventional chain hotel or a luxury property, you can expect a certain degree of security. You know that the building's rear doors are locked to everyone but hotel guests after dark and that the hotel itself will often have on-site security personnel. The same isn't true with properties that you rent while the owner is out of town. With these properties, you have no idea who might have a key to the house, apartment or condo, and there's often no security staff in the building to make you feel safe. Furthermore, you can voice any security concerns to the hotel's front desk staff; for example, if you feel nervous in the parking lot at night, a staff member can walk you to your car.

Standards Of Comfort

You can expect consistent standards of comfort at hotels, especially if you've stayed at other properties under the brand in the past. For example, if you're a frequent traveler who commonly seeks accommodations from a certain hotel brand, you won't be in for any surprises when you visit a new city and stay at a hotel that belongs to the same brand. These standards of comfort aren't a factor when you choose to book a rental property. For example, one property owner's definition of "clean" might differ from another's, which means that you could end up spending the night in a place that doesn't meet your cleanliness standards.

Widespread Amenities

While it's true that many rental properties can provide you with a selection of amenities, such as free parking and access to the home's Wi-Fi connection, the list of available amenities at a hotel is much greater. Depending on where you stay, you can enjoy things such as housekeeping, valet parking, on-site restaurants including free breakfast, athletic centers, pools, spas and a long list of other attractive features that can help to make your visit more enjoyable.