Switched from Airbnb to a flat rate hotel chain in Medellin and saved $800 in 2 weeks

I was booking Airbnbs every week in Colombia thinking I was getting deals. Then I walked past a Ibis hotel in Laureles and saw their monthly rate was $450 versus the $700 I was paying for some random apartment with spotty wifi. I switched over and honestly the stability of having housekeeping and a desk that actually works made me way more productive. Has anyone else found a hotel chain that beats Airbnb prices in certain cities?

2 comments

2 Comments

jesse8411d ago

The Ibis hotels are actually a solid move in a lot of Latin American cities. I did something similar in Mexico City a few years back. Found a City Express by the airport that had a monthly rate way below what I was seeing on Airbnb for anything decent. The cleaning service alone is worth it. You don't realize how much time you waste hunting for a place that isn't a scam until you just have a consistent room key. Plus with the Ibis especially you know the wifi will work and the AC won't break on a random Tuesday. Your mileage may vary depending on the neighborhood but for a work trip where you need focus it's hard to beat.

the_anthony11d ago

@jesse84 I read somewhere recently that some of those hotel chains are actually buying up old apartment buildings in Latin America and converting them. Makes sense why the monthly rates are getting better. A buddy of mine did the same thing in Bogota last year. Said the Ibis near the business district had a deal that included breakfast and laundry. For what he was paying on Airbnb for some spotty wifi and a leaky shower, it was a no brainer. The cleaning crew coming in every day is huge too. You don't realize how much that matters until you're staring at your own dirty socks on day three of a trip.