A survey by Upgraded Points finds that hotel convenience, clearer pricing and fewer cleaning requirements are outweighing the space and privacy offered by short-term rentals.
Upgraded Points has found that hotels are the preferred accommodation for 62% of U.S. travellers during the holiday season, compared with 38% who favour short-term rentals such as Airbnb or Vrbo. The result places convenience and pricing clarity at the centre of the lodging choice, while showing that rental platforms retain a substantial audience among people seeking more space and home-style amenities.
The findings come from an online survey of 2,193 U.S. travellers aged 18 to 79, conducted from October 22 to 30, 2025, across 45 states. Upgraded Points said the study examined lodging preferences, price perceptions and attitudes towards hotels and short-term rentals, including the relationship between accommodation choices and housing affordability in popular destinations.
Amenities were the strongest reason for choosing hotels, cited by 73% of respondents, followed by the absence of cleaning rules or surprise fees at 62%. A further 52% valued straightforward booking and cancellation policies. Price perceptions also favoured hotels: 64% believed hotels were cheaper for domestic travel, while 76% considered them more transparent about pricing and fees.
Short-term rentals nevertheless remain attractive for specific use cases. Among respondents who preferred them, 75% highlighted extra space and privacy, 68% valued kitchen access and home-style features, and 56% said rentals were better suited to larger groups or families. The survey also found that more than 70% believed short-term rentals were contributing to higher housing costs in popular destinations, while 61% supported city restrictions on their numbers in high-demand housing areas.
The results point to a lodging market divided less by a simple hotel-versus-rental distinction than by competing ideas of value. Hotels benefit when travellers prioritise predictable costs, services and ease of booking, while rentals continue to appeal where privacy, space or group accommodation matter more. For Upgraded Points, the study places transparency and practical convenience alongside price as central considerations in holiday travel decisions.
