Alternatives to AirBnB

AirBnB just faced a ban in New York and Barcelona, and even Panama is currently following suit with restrictions placed upon short-term whole-house rental. Whether it’s hotel owners with a lot of influence or local governments trying to keep housing prices down, it can sometimes render the everyday traveller stranded. Luckily, there are a few alternatives out there.

Flipkey is a neat way to find short-term accommodations for budgets ranging from shoestring to extravagant. Amenities you can look out for consist of your average cable or satellite TV to the seemingly promising button labeled hot tub/Jacuzzi. Powered by TripAdvisor, you can’t go wrong here.

HomeAway is one of AirBnB’s top competitors, and rightly so. It has a vast database on which to depend, and a handy map on every search to help you get your bearings before you book the apartment, making sure you don’t end up booking a place that’s miles away from the city center. As with most services like these, there are handy reviews from past visitors that will put your mind at ease or steer you well clear of a potentially ruined holiday.

OneFineStay is for the high rollers. Picked by the website’s staff, OneFineStay’s suppliers are top-shelf only, with luxurious penthouses and lavish lofts on offer. The company even manages the housekeeping duties, keeping both the renter and the owner happy. Currently this is only available in LA, London, Paris and New York, but OneFineStay aims to grow.