Hotels vs. Vacation Rentals: What’s Best for Digital Nomads?

If you’re one of the many people who’ve become used to travelling for work, you might have wondered: Am I staying in the right place?

The choice between hotels or vacation rentals becomes a little more complicated when you consider the thousands of options available. As soon as you see an attractive property on Airbnb, or a hotel with 5 stars that’s somehow affordable, suddenly, somewhere else looks like a better fit for your work or free time.

So, how do you choose the right digital nomad accommodations for you?

Hotels for Digital Nomads

Overall, hotels are convenient. Someone else does your washing; there’s a restaurant on-site; you don’t need to buy cleaning products, soap, shampoo, or toilet roll; there’s reliable WiFi included. And if it’s a chain you’ve used before, you’re practically guaranteed a similar experience.

Another advantage of hotels is the location. If you’re prioritizing being closer to a city center or an airport, for example, they’re likely your best bet. And there’s no need to hunt for groceries or worry if an apartment is true to the photos online.

Sometimes, there are other perks that make remote working easier. Room service, co-working lounges, and meeting rooms are all common. It’s really down to personal preference – you might hate the idea of a co-working space!

The main downside of hotels is that they’re typically less personal. It’s hard to feel at home in a hotel truly (it’s theoretically possible, depending on the length of your stay). You might also find that the most appealing hotels are more expensive per night. And for long-term stays, the lack of kitchen facilities and other rooms can feel… well, as though you’re staying in a hotel!

If the cost of a well-reviewed hotel is off-putting, it’s sometimes possible to save some money. Booking longer stays sometimes unlocks weekly or monthly discounts, especially on chain hotels and the biggest booking sites. Loyalty programs sometimes pay off (accumulating points can lead to free nights, for example). Mid-week stays are usually cheaper than weekends.

Vacation Rentals for Remote Work

Vacation rentals offer more flexibility and a homier feel. You can choose a place that suits your working style. Maybe it’s a home with a dedicated office, a big table with natural light, or a quiet balcony where you can use your laptop and take calls outside.

A kitchen might be a major bonus: it’s easier to eat healthily, save money, and enjoy some downtime. It’s always a fun experience exploring a local grocery store and cooking with different ingredients, depending on where you’re based. For longer stays, this could make a huge difference.

Hotels are often in tourist-heavy areas – convenient locations, but the hotels themselves are unlikely to have as much character as someone’s carefully decorated home. In a rental, you can shop at local markets, discover cafes and restaurants, get to know the people, and maybe talk to the neighbors. This might be rewarding if you’re used to hopping between cities, or even countries, and want to slow down for a while.

Some cities are particularly appealing for rentals. There are countless options in locations specifically designed for digital nomads. Lisbon, Bali, or Chiang Mai, for example, might be perfect for a rental. But in other cities with stricter rental regulations or limited short-term options (e.g., Barcelona, New York, Paris), finding a well-located, fully equipped rental will be more challenging.

Not every listing is exactly as advertised, WiFi may be hit or miss, and maintenance issues are for you to resolve (rather than hotel staff). If you’re in a new city or remote area, dealing with parking or train stations, contacting the owner, and checking in can suck up time and energy. And you might not want to do your own cleaning and laundry. Again, it’s personal preference!

Remote Work Amenities to Look for in Your Accommodation

For most remote workers, the basics will remain the same wherever they go: good WiFi, a comfortable place to work, and quiet surroundings (those who use noise-cancelling headphones might have a bit more flexibility). But it’s worth digging a little deeper.

A proper desk and chair setup will win in the long run over an armchair – or a couch, coffee table, and that hunched-over laptop position. Good lighting (ideally natural, which will boost your mood too) also matters, especially over longer stays.

Beyond the workspace itself, consider amenities that support your daily routine. Is there heating and/or air conditioning? Are there cafes or co-working spaces nearby in case you need a change of scene?

If you’ve been working remotely for a long time, you likely know what kind of setting you’ll be productive in. It could be the charm and character of a unique rental, the simplicity of a chain hotel, or something in between.

Final Verdict: Hotels vs. Vacation Rentals for Digital Nomads

So how do you decide between hotels vs. vacation rentals as a digital nomad? It might come down to the length of your stay, your budget, and your work style.

If the idea of a hotel desk for more than a couple of ideas is immediately unappealing, you’ll be best off with a rental and more of a sense of home. If you want things as simple as possible – and to spend zero time on housekeeping or cooking, then a hotel is a good choice.

Weigh your priorities: you might value convenience and predictability, or greater freedom and the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new area. Are you looking for a sense of home, or is it more important that you know the WiFi will work and the bedding is clean?

There’s no need to commit to one way of working or the other for eternity, of course. You might try a hotel for a while and then a rental next time you visit the same city or area. Some solo travelers find a mix works well – short-term hotel bookings for cities where logistics are the priority, and rentals for longer, slower-paced stays where they can settle in.

In short, the “right” choice isn’t really about an option that’s objectively better, but more about which fits with your lifestyle, work needs, and travel goals at that particular moment.

Find Your Next Digital Nomad Stay with Nomads Embassy’s Trusted Partners

At Nomads Embassy, our mission is to make the digital nomad lifestyle easy. As you go against the grain and create a location-independent lifestyle, finding the right accommodations is crucial. That’s why we’ve partnered with trusted accommodation providers for short and long-term stays.

Find your next digital nomad accommodation below:

• Flatio
• Spotahome
• VRBO
• Booking.com
• Hostelworld

Want some more dedicated digital nomad accommodation options? Check out our other site, Wandering for WiFi for curated lists for all budgets.