Look, we get it. You’ve got family coming to town, and they’re all “But Airbnb is so much more authentic!” Well, locals, it’s time to school your out-of-town relatives with some cold, hard cash facts that’ll make them ditch those vacation rental dreams faster than a tourist loses at penny slots.
A new study comparing hotel and Airbnb prices across 55 major tourist destinations just dropped a bombshell: Las Vegas ranks #2 globally—yes, GLOBALLY—for biggest hotel savings versus Airbnb. We’re talking a whopping $211 extra in your pocket every night you choose a hotel. That’s enough for a nice dinner at Herbs & Rye, or let’s be honest, about 20 minutes at the blackjack table.
While the average Vegas Airbnb will set you back around $307 per night (before all those sneaky fees), you can score a hotel room for under $100. And unlike Istanbul (which beat us for the #1 spot with a $1,490 weekly savings), we’ve got something they don’t—the most entertaining 4.2-mile stretch of asphalt in the world.
Those Airbnb “bargains” come with more hidden fees than a budget airline:
- Service fees (5-15% of your total)
- Cleaning fees (because apparently, sweeping costs more in the sharing economy)
- Security deposits (in case you party like it’s 1999)
- Extra guest fees (because sleeping isn’t free, folks)
- Cancellation penalties (harder to escape than a gym membership)
- Currency exchange fees (if applicable, and they’re always applicable when you least expect it)
Meanwhile, our 375 hotels practically throw deals at locals. Here’s the inside scoop on scoring those sweet, sweet resident discounts:
The Local’s Cheat Sheet
- Caesars Properties: Flash that Nevada ID for 10% off (mind the blackout dates, though)
- Station Casinos: No resort fees for locals (which is like finding a $40 bill in your pocket every night)
- Downtown Grand: Also waves buh-bye to those resort fees for locals
- Sahara: Choose your weapon—waived resort fee OR $50 resort credit
- Resorts World: A straight-up 20% discount for locals (no math degree required)
- Sunset Station: Double whammy of locals discount AND waived resort fees
Pro tip: Always verify these deals when booking. They can disappear faster than your friend who “just needs to hit the ATM real quick.”
But here’s the real tea: while Airbnb started as the budget-friendly alternative to hotels, in Vegas, it’s become the expensive cousin who shows up in a rented Lamborghini but asks to borrow gas money. Our hotels have figured out something the rest of the world hasn’t—keeping rooms affordable means keeping them filled, and filled rooms mean packed casinos, restaurants, and shows.
So next time your out-of-town friends start browsing Airbnb, show them this article. Tell them to save their money for what Vegas does best—entertainment, dining, and making memories. Because in the battle of Vegas accommodations, just like in the casinos, the house always wins—and this time, that’s good news for everyone.
And for those of you thinking, “But what about the homey touches and local experience?” Let’s be real—you’re in Vegas. The only local experience most tourists need is knowing which buffet has the shortest line and how to dodge timeshare salespeople at the Fashion Show Mall.
Plus, our hotels have stepped up their game beyond just rooms. Want a kitchen? Many suites have them. Need space for the whole family? Try the residential-style accommodations at Signature at MGM Grand or Trump International. Missing that “local” vibe? Boutique, off-Strip hotels like The Lexi give you all the character without the Airbnb price tag.
One last pro tip for the locals: Keep an eye on those Sunday through Thursday rates. That’s when the real savings kick in, especially if you’re booking for visiting family. And don’t forget about those “staycation” packages that pop up during summer months when the tourists tend to thin out (something about it being 117 degrees outside…). Some hotels will throw in spa credits, dining discounts, and even show tickets just to get locals in the door.
At the end of the day, Vegas hotels understand something that Airbnb hosts don’t: in this town, value isn’t just about a place to sleep—it’s about the complete experience.