In this day and age, it’s difficult to find any avid traveller or business person who hasn’t been to Dubai – or at least has it on their bucket list. The UAE emirate is an amazing city, filled with endless adventures, experiences and activities that are suitable for any type of tourist.
As such, it’s not uncommon to find that those who intend to only visit for a week or two end up staying for months, or even years. After all, the UAE is home to 7.8 million expats, of which most are situated in Dubai.
And with so many people opting for longer stays of a month or more, many hotels, Airbnbs’ and the like have taken to offering long-stay accommodation options. This is to meet the requirements of those who need or want to be in the city for a minimum of 30 days but have no desire to be committed to a rental lease or be charged the exorbitant nightly rate of a hotel or resort.
Whether you plan to explore Dubai over a few wants, are here for an extended business trip or just need an intermediate place to stay while relocating to the UAE, then short-term renting is for you.
But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is best – should you go with an Airbnb or check into serviced accommodation? Well, you won’t have to wonder for long, because today we explore the merits of both choices so that you can make an informed decision.
Service
Airbnbs are more often than not self-catering – which means that guests are by and large tasked to fully see to their own needs, including cleaning after themselves and cooking their own meals. Although the level of service a guest receives is at the discretion of the individual operator, you’ll find that it can be hit or miss – with the latter being the more common circumstance. Airbnb owners are usually not even in the same country as their property.
Placing a listing on Airbnb does not require an understanding or commitment to customer service, which is why you’ll find them seriously lacking in this area. Serviced accommodation, on the other hand, offers the best of both worlds.
If guests prefer a more hands-on approach during their stay, they are more than welcome to do so. However, serviced accommodation offers residents hotel-level customer service, with help from everything to fixing the air conditioner if it stops working to bringing up room service when you’re hungry – impeccable service is always a phone call away.
Cost
When Airbnb first launched in 2008, its major appeal was the cheap rates it offered. Travellers saw themselves paying a fraction of the cost for an entire apartment than they would for one night at a hotel.
Today, however, the tables have turned and Airbnb is no longer the cost-effective option it once was. In fact, serviced accommodation now holds that title as providing the best value for money.
Facilities
The better an Airbnb’s facilities, the more it’ll cost per night. So, if you’re looking for a place with a jacuzzi or on-site tennis court, you can expect the price to shoot up exponentially. However, if you’re looking for the basics – like a washing machine, dishwasher and other facilities – then you’ll find them in the majority of Airbnb accommodation.
Unfortunately, serviced apartments won’t offer glamourous features like hot tubs, telescopes for stargazing and firepits to roast marshmallows around, but you’ll get a fully equipped apartment that offers the comfort and convenience of a luxury hotel, as well as a qualified person on-hand to assist you in any way you need.
Space
When choosing Airbnb as your long-stay solution, the amount of space you’ll have depends on the property you choose. However, the bigger the property, the more money you’ll pay. And since Dubai is known for its lavish lifestyle and luxury offerings, you’ll be hard-pressed to find roomy living quarters that are still budget-friendly.
Serviced apartments and townhouses offer spacious lateral living no matter what. They are designed for short-term rentals and therefore emulate the comfort of home – which means providing enough space to do more than just stretch your legs.
Safety and Security
Serviced accommodations are responsible for the safety of many guests, day in and day out, and often have expansive security measures in place to ensure this. Furthermore, serviced accommodations need to ensure that the building in which they operate meets government safety regulations before they can begin accepting guests.
These safety measures include, but are not limited to, having wired fire alarms to avoid flat batteries, fire extinguishers and fire blankets installed throughout the building, security lighting around the premises and gas heaters and cooking tops are tested yearly for the presence of carbon dioxide.
The same emergency precautions and protections cannot be guaranteed when staying in an Airbnb, as they are usually someone’s spare bedroom, private residence or a bungalow.
Consistent quality
The only thing consistent between all Airbnb properties is the app you find them on. You’ll need to spend hours and hours searching for the perfect accommodation, analysing pictures closely, and reading nearly every review before booking. And then you’ll have to hope that the reality matches the dream you’ve been sold.
Unfortunately, Airbnb properties tend to look better in pictures than do in person, but you’ll never have this problem with serviced accommodation. You’ll always get what you’re promised time and time again, from the minute you arrive right through to check-out time.
Cleanliness and hygiene
You need to remember that most listings on Airbnb are private residences that people live in for at least part of the year. Then there are the hundreds of guests that came before you. Although every Airbnb listing will charge a cleaning fee, you have no guarantee that it was actually cleaned – or at least cleaned thoroughly – before your arrival.
On the other hand, cleaning is an integral aspect of everyday operations for serviced apartments. You can expect a high level of hygiene and cleanliness when you arrive, with some places even offering daily housekeeping services.
Comfort
One of the best things about staying at serviced accommodation is that you get to enjoy all the comforts of home while indulging in the perks of a luxury hotel. Work up a sweat in the gym, take a dip in the pool, unwind in the spa, or dine at the on-site restaurant.
Airbnbs offer many comforts, but, unfortunately, they’ll never meet the level of what a hotel can offer its guests.
Accountability and assistance
There is no level of accountability or assistance when staying at an Airbnb, as there is a low level of commitment required from the owner of the property. Not even a bad review is enough, as they can close down their account and create a new one under a fake name. And if you need to get a hold of the owner or someone at Airbnb to express your grievances, you’ll find that you might not get the response you want – if you get one at all.
Serviced accommodations, in contrast, have a reputation to upkeep, especially since they’re usually linked to an established hotel or business. Thus, there is much more incentive for them to be accountable for poor or bad service.
Location
If you’re new to Dubai or here for business, you’ll want to be close to the city centre and major attractions, as well as near transport hubs and airports. Their prime locations provide better convenience when navigating Dubai.
Airbnbs are usually scattered around the city and can be found in the most random of places – which isn’t a bad thing if you want to live like a local.
Discounted rates
Where Airbnbs charge one fixed rate per night, no matter the duration, serviced accommodation actually gets cheaper the longer you stay. If you book a certain number of nights at a serviced apartment or townhouse, you’ll qualify for a discounted rate.
So, which is better?
In the end, it all comes down to personal preference, but when you compare the two accommodations side-by-side, you’ll find that serviced apartments tend to provide better value for money when looking for a short-term rental.
If you plan to visit Dubai for 30 nights or longer, then you’ll need a place to stay. Lucky for you, you’ve come to the right place!
Thirty Sleeps Sleeper Partners offer affordable and commitment-free short-term stays when you book for 30 days or more. There are no rental contracts, no additional expenses and no hidden fees. All you need to do is pay one all-inclusive fee and enjoy all the perks of a fully serviced and equipped luxury accommodation.
Visit Thirty Sleeps today and find the perfect short-term rental accommodation for you.
