Remember when Airbnb wasn’t really a thing? Okay, I can’t even really remember either, but I *do* remember the first Airbnb we ever stayed in, and I specifically remember why we chose to stay in an Airbnb vs. a traditional hotel. Once Spencer was born, we understood the need for separate spaces. We wanted him close to us, but we wanted him just far enough away to get a proper night’s sleep, which is why we opted for an Airbnb. That was in 2016, and we haven’t looked back. To date, we stayed in Airbnbs across the US, in Vietnam, the Philippines, South Africa, and South Korea, and it’s definitely our preferred way to travel. So, with dozens of stays under our belt, we figured it was time to share our 5 favorite family-friendly Airbnbs around the world.
Our 5 Favorite Family-Friendly Airbnbs Around the World
1 // Ocean Villas Resort Apartment – Da Nang, Vietnam
When we planned our Vietnam vacation, we wanted a few main things: resort amenities, a reasonable price tag, proximity to a pool and/or beach. Lily’s place has all that and more! We’ve referred almost all our South Korea friends to the same apartment…and for good reason! Here are some of the amenities and why this apartment is our absolute favorite Airbnb stay thus far:
- 2 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms – this included a bedroom for Ryan and myself and one for the kids to share. There was a cot/crib for Mieke and two twin beds for the boys.
- 2 walkable swimming pools directly outside our apartment
- Private beach just a five-minute walk from the apartment within a gated community
- Easy access for Grab drivers (think: Uber)
- One-on-one communication with our host, Lily, who helped arrange our trips to Ba Na Hills Sun World, Hoi An, and Marble Mountain
- Daily housekeeping was reminiscent of a hotel but with all the comforts of home
Total Cost for 10 Nights –> $1,024.24
2 // The Farm House at Finn Hall Farm
When we lived in Washington, I did a 10k up in Port Angeles, and we decided to make a little getaway of it, booking this adorable gem for a night with all three kiddos. We wanted space, a decent price tag, away from the city, and this place delivered in spades. Here’s a little bit about what it included:
- 2 dedicated bedrooms, as well as sleeping quarters in the common space. Mieke slept in the second bedroom, and the boys bunked cozily on the sofa bed.
- Free parking onsite
- Bathtub for the kiddos
- Board games and free hot chocolate in the kitchen
- Beautiful property to walk around with young children
Total Cost for 1 Night –> $149.71
3 // On The Rocks – Cape Town, South Africa
During our last visit to South Africa in 2019, we brought our nephew, Connor, with us. We decided to actually venture to Cape Town as a family to explore the area since neither Ryan, nor Connor, had ever been. We wanted a centrally-located place with easy access to an Uber and nearby amenities. Here’s what we got:
- Walking distance to the V&A Waterfront
- Overlooking Table Bay and Robben Island
- Right by the World Cup Stadium
- Across from the beach
- 2 queen-sized beds and 1 double bed (plus room for Mieke’s pack ‘n play)
- Free Wifi
Total Cost for 4 Nights –> $685.99
4 // Cedar Retreat – Cedar City, Utah
During our transcontinental roadtrip this summer, we made a stop in Cedar City, Utah, to help my father-in-law finish clearing out his storage unit, pack up his life, and move to Canada to be closer to family, as we lost my mother-in-law, Esta, last year. We needed a comfortable place for a couple nights, and this was just the ticket. Here’s what we got:
- Safe, comfortable, and quiet neighborhood just off the freeway for easy commuting around the area
- 2 bedrooms; 1 with a king-sized bed, 1 with a double bed and sofa bed
- Washer and dryer included in the rental
- Smart TV for down time
- Central AC for peak summer heat
- Free parking onsite
- Pets allowed (we were moving with the animals, and this was hard to come by!)
Total Cost for 2 Nights –> $313.77
5 // Casa Gabrial – Boracay, Philippines
While elements of this trip were a bit wonky, the overall experience was bar none, and we loved the experience and location of Casa Gabriel in Tropicana Ocean Villas during our stay in Boracay, Philippines. We primarily wanted beach access, and we definitely got that! Here’s what it included:
- 3 bedrooms, one on each floor; only 2 had air conditioning – downstairs and the middle level, and you have to walk outside to reach the middle level (it was a gated area, so we were okay with it, but with younger children, it could be a no-go)
- Ocean & garden views
- Easy access to local open air taxis
- Daily housekeeping – and the villa caretaker brought us fresh pandesal daily!
- Access to Diniwid Beach and the restaurants thereon
- Private gated resort community
- Elena, the villa owner, arranged transport to and from the airport for us
Total Cost for 4 Nights –> $668.01
Why We Love Airbnbs
It’s no secret that, as a family of five, we travel on a budget. We don’t have unlimited means, and we certainly can’t afford to stay in the ritziest hotels. Moreover, when we travel, we usually aim for the following things in terms of a “home base” for our travels:
- Space – With five people, one hotel room is cramped, and suites are often pricier in terms of what you get overall
- Creature comforts – Especially on longer trips (like our Vietnam vacation), we want to feel at home
- Value – Hotels add up, especially when you include eating out for multiple meals
- Location – Finding a hotel in the exact right spot can be tricky
- Contact – Having boots on the ground, so to speak, is essential, and hotels can only go so far
Ultimately, it’s about the personal touch when choosing an Airbnb over a hotel – in more ways than one.
Tell me – what’s your preferred way to travel? Hotels? Villas? Airbnbs?
