Time to Unwind: Hotel or Short-term Rental Accommodation?

Booking for accommodation is part of the initial step when we plan for a getaway. No matter for business or leisure, having a comfortable place to rest and recharge can contribute to different travel experiences. Undoubtedly, depending on the purpose and duration of your travel, you may sometimes prefer a homestay over a hotel, and vice versa.

Over the years, short-term rental accommodations (STRA) like Airbnb have become an increasingly popular choice among travelers. According to the internal data by Airbnb, domestic travel will continue to be a significant trend for Malaysians while Kuala Lumpur ranked second in Airbnb’s top trending destinations worldwide in the third quarter of 2022. Meanwhile, hotels
including resorts, inns, all-suites and more continuously dominate the rebound of tourism activities to this day.
So how do you decide?

1. Space and privacy

A decent hotel room often has a limited capacity and typically fits only the bed of your choice,
a bathroom, a wardrobe and dedicated corners for a minibar, TV, ironing and dressing or
study table all in the same space. It is designed to fulfil travellers’ basic needs with the option
to provide additional room services via a quick phone call.

On the other hand, STRA is more spacious as you get to enjoy the entire space of a house including the living hall, rooms, kitchen, balcony and even the outside compound. If you travel with a big group, it might be worth it to consider STRA since hotels usually limit the number of people staying in a room. In addition, a temporary home with no working staff can give travelers the privacy to rest cozily. MyRehat properties such as Opus Residences offer units that can accommodate up to 12 people and most customers really appreciate staying in a spacious place for their holiday. 

Source : https://myrehat.com/listing/opus-residences-ratu/

2. Local Experience

If you are looking for a taste of authenticity, a STRA is a better option as it is designed for its owner to customise their property which usually has location-specific decorations and personal touch compared to hotel rooms that tend to have identical designs and ambience. For example, a few of MyRehat properties feature murals that are designed to showcase Malaysia’s cultural symbols:

Source : https://myrehat.com/listing/ramada-mural-studio/

While hotels will mostly promote their restaurants and lounges to travellers for their dining convenience, STRA that are located nearby local eateries and landmarks provide a chance for travellers to connect with the community and discover hidden gems around the area. For guests who are staying at Anggun Residences, they can easily choose from more than 50 restaurants surrounding the property such as the famous Sup Tulang Hameed.

3. Facilities and amenities

At STRA, you will be able to utilise all of the amenities in the house at any time you need because essentially, you “rent” the place and its entire contents. In turn, you generally won’t receive additional services such as laundry, housekeeping and room service from a STRA operator but the good news is, the facilities provided at some STRA buildings are much better than the ones at some hotels.

At MyRehat’s Regalia Residences, customers can enjoy all amenities such as a fully equipped kitchen with pots, pans and cooking utensils as well as the building’s sky pool, bar, restaurant and gym at an affordable price per night from as low as RM166. 

Source : https://myrehat.com/listing/regalia-residences-berdua/

At Star Residences KLCC, customers can take advantage of its luxury and immerse in the splendour of modern Kuala Lumpur with a reasonable deal.

Source : https://myrehat.com/search-results/?keyword=star%20residences%20KLCC

On the other hand, if you choose to stay at a hotel for your trip, you don’t have to deal with any chores thanks to the convenience of hotel services such as concierge and daily housekeeping.

In a nutshell, a hotel has a room vibe that allows you to pick the amenities and services you require based on your budget while a STRA has a homey vibe that is packaged with house appliances and decorations. Depending on the size of your travel group, travel duration and most importantly your money allocation, you can choose to travel in luxury or budget and decide on the accommodation accordingly. 

If you are heading for a romantic getaway, short business trip or want to unwind in style and be pampered luxuriously, a hotel will be a better option for you. But if you have a lengthy stay, travel with a big group or need a spacious place to fulfil your travel needs, a STRA will do you great.

Bring your family and your loved ones to stay at MyRehat properties that are centrally located around Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Penang. As a STRA operator since 2019, MyRehat ensures all of its properties are well-maintained, tastefully decorated and equipped with amenities to make your stay comfortable and memorable. Place your booking via www.myrehat.com and enjoy a 10% discount from us. Come and experience it yourself!