Hotels: less friction
Front desk, known cancellation paths, and often simpler parking in downtown cores.
Rentals: space and kitchens
Groups, dietary needs, or quiet workspace can make a rental worth the extra steps.
Hidden time costs
Key exchange, trash rules, and strip-the-beds policies eat vacation minutes—price those mentally.
Hybrid option
Hotel two nights + one special dinner out can beat a rental + cooking on a short break.
More lodging context
How we pick hotels · Neighborhood framework for US cities · Hotels & stays hub