Airbnb vs Booking.com

March 17, 2025 | Author: Adam Levine
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Airbnb
Airbnb provides comforts of home, on the road, whether you’re going on a business trip or relocating to a new city, find homes and boutique hotels with 5-star reviews from other business travellers.
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Booking.com
Booking.com for Business is a free, all-in-one platform that makes corporate travel management easier. Enjoy complimentary travel support from CWT, and exclusive business rates while booking flights, accommodation and car rental for your next business trip.

Airbnb and Booking.com are both places where humans go to avoid sleeping in their own beds. They let you book accommodations in distant lands (or just down the street, if you're feeling particularly lazy), complete with reviews from strangers who may or may not have the same idea of "clean" as you do. Both platforms work on the simple principle that someone, somewhere, has a room they’re willing to let you inhabit for a sum of money, assuming they haven’t double-booked it or forgotten you exist.

Airbnb, which first appeared in 2008 in the United States, is essentially a system for convincing people that staying in a stranger’s attic is not only an adventure but an excellent idea. It specializes in quirky stays, like yurts, treehouses and probably the odd converted submarine. Designed for those who like the idea of living like a local, Airbnb also encourages lengthy stays, friendly chats with hosts and the delightful uncertainty of whether your "cozy retreat" comes with functioning plumbing.

Booking.com, on the other hand, hails from the Netherlands and has been around since 1996, making it the grizzled veteran of online lodging. Originally, it existed to help people book proper hotels with proper beds and proper rules about not bringing your pet llama. Over time, it adapted to the Airbnb era, adding private apartments while still appealing to those who prefer reliability, instant booking and the ability to complain to customer service at 3 a.m. when their minibar isn't stocked with overpriced peanuts.

See also: Top 10 Business Travel services
Author: Adam Levine
Adam is an expert in project management, collaboration and productivity technologies, team management, and motivation. With an extensive background working at prestigious companies such as Microsoft and Accenture, Adam's in-depth knowledge and experience in the field make him a sought-after professional. Currently, he has ventured into entrepreneurship, owning a thriving consulting and training agency where he imparts invaluable insights and practical strategies to individuals and organizations, empowering them to achieve their goals and maximize their potential. You can contact Adam via email [email protected]