As holiday travel ramps up, a new survey from Upgraded Points suggests that most Americans are leaning toward hotels over Airbnb and other short-term rentals this year. The study, which surveyed more than 2,000 U.S. travelers, found that 62% prefer hotels for their seasonal getaways, citing better amenities, fewer fees, and more transparent pricing. Short-term rentals still hold strong appeal, but hotels appear to be winning back travelers with convenience and reliability.
“Travelers are thinking beyond price this year,” said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points. “Convenience, transparency, and even community impact are shaping where people stay for the holidays.”
The survey shows that hotel fans appreciate perks like pools, gyms and free breakfast, with 73% saying amenities make the difference. Another 62% say avoiding cleaning checklists and surprise fees pushes them toward hotels, while 52% prefer easy booking and cancellation policies. Many also believe hotels offer more clarity around pricing. In fact, 76% of respondents say hotels are more transparent about total cost.
On the flip side, short-term rental fans are sticking with what they love. 75% enjoy the extra space and privacy, 68% value kitchen access and home-style comforts and 56% say rentals work best for larger groups or families. But concerns about housing costs are growing. More than 70% of Americans believe short-term rentals make housing less affordable in popular destinations, and 61% support limiting rental numbers in high-demand areas.
Where short-term rentals come out on top
Although the majority of states favor hotels overall, several show stronger support for rentals this year. Travelers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado, Oregon, California, Maine, and Arkansas all leaned toward short-term stays, especially in regions known for cabins, ski towns, beach homes, and quirky seasonal retreats.