🏡 Airbnb vs. VRBO: What We’ve Noticed After Booking Dozens of Stays

If you’ve ever planned a last-minute getaway, you’ve probably asked yourself the age-old question: Airbnb or VRBO?
We’ve stayed in both—sometimes just days apart—and while both platforms offer charming places to rest your head, they’re definitely not created equal.

Here’s what we’ve learned after cozying up in cabins, crashing in cottages, and making ourselves at home in vacation rentals around the U.S.

1. 🕒 Same-Day Booking? Airbnb Takes the Lead

One of the first things we noticed (especially as spontaneous travelers) is how much easier it is to find same-day availability on Airbnb.
If we decide on a Friday morning that we want to escape to the mountains that night, Airbnb usually has dozens of options with instant booking.

VRBO? Not so much.
Same-day listings are rare, and when you do find one, there’s often a required delay while waiting for the host to approve. That’s a dealbreaker when you’re already halfway packed.

2. 💸 Cleaning & Fees: Both Can Be... A Lot

Airbnb and VRBO both tack on cleaning and service fees—sometimes nearly as much as a hotel room.
The difference? Airbnb tends to be more transparent about the total cost while you browse. VRBO’s fee breakdown often shows up later in the booking process.

That said, VRBOs can feel more “professionally managed”, which often means consistency—but at the cost of personality.

3. 🌿 The Charm Factor: Why Airbnb Speaks Our Language

This one hits close to home—literally.

At Comfort by Marni, we’re obsessed with those little design details that make a place feel special: a cozy knit throw, handmade pottery, a perfectly curated coffee corner. Airbnb hosts often bring that kind of individual charm to their spaces.
We’ve found bookshelves full of local reads, vintage mugs, scent diffusers, art by local makers—tiny things that make a big impact on how welcome and at-home you feel.

VRBO properties? While many are beautiful and well-stocked, they tend to feel more like a traditional vacation rental. Less personality, more polish.

That doesn’t mean VRBOs aren’t comfortable—but if you're looking for soul, Airbnb usually wins.

4. 📱 Communication: Airbnb’s App Is Friendlier

Both platforms offer messaging between guests and hosts, but Airbnb’s app feels more modern and intuitive—especially when you're juggling check-in instructions on the road.

VRBO often leans on email-style messaging that feels slower and more formal. And when you’re standing outside the property with your arms full of luggage, that extra step matters.

5. 🛏️ Our Favorite Finds So Far...

• Cutest Airbnb? A dreamy A-frame cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, complete with twinkle lights, fuzzy throws, and a record player stocked with vintage Dolly Parton.

• Best VRBO? A spacious, beautifully furnished home in Phoenix, Arizona—perfect for a multi-family trip, with high-end sheets, a chef’s kitchen, and a private backyard pool oasis.

So, Which Should You Use?

Here’s our take:

| Want to book last-minute? | Go Airbnb. |
| Love character and charm? | Airbnb again. |
| Traveling with a big group or family? | VRBO has more options. |
| Prefer structure and consistency? | VRBO may feel more hotel-like. |

We use—and love—both platforms. But if you’re following this blog, chances are you’re a sucker for good vibes and great textures. That’s why Airbnb tends to win our hearts: it’s where we’ve found the most inspiring, comfort-forward stays.

Whether you’re decorating your own home or hosting guests in one, we hope Comfort by Marni helps you discover ideas that feel like a warm welcome.

Now go book that stay. Just maybe… not last minute on VRBO 😉

– Marni