Hotels have lots of advantages. Often better location: downtown. A 24-hour desk. You can ask for info. Get deliveries. They can give you extra soap if you run out... without emailing some guy. Ask them to get you a taxi (yes I know about Uber), etc.
I know it's going to be controversial but I learned this the hard way. I don't travel a lot but just did a Europe tour over 4 Airbnbs with a friend.
All four had some key distribution problem that required talking to the host, who was not always reachable. (Oh, you just enter this code ... nope, doesn't work.) They also usually only have one spare set of keys so if we wanted to return at different times, no luck. One host wanted the late check-in fee paid in cash and wouldn't issue a receipt for it, even a PM/text with "yeah, got your $X late fee". (reported)
Actually, there is plenty of reason they shouldn't have to abide by the same regulations.
We have the rules we have for hotels because they're typically large buildings with many rooms (often smaller than even the minimum dwelling size for private apartments) and that density presents significant safety hazards to many people should anything happen, not just you. You being in a 100sf room on the 11th floor makes it very hard to not have you die if there's a fire, especially when there's hundreds of you to evacuate.
There's no reason that someone say...renting out a detached single story house should need anything more than a working smoke/CO detector.
Exactly. The concern about lack of safety is paranoia at best. If the door locks, the smoke alarm is on, and power outlets not hanging from the wall, appliances in working order etc, then there's not much else to worry about.
For my recent Airbnb stay I couldn't fault it. Was more than I expected and great value.
I'm tired of over-priced hotels with boring rooms and mandatory daily room service. I want the option of not having my bed made and towels replaced every day. Stay out of my room until I check out!
Most have "Do Not Disturb" / "Do Not Service" signs you can hang from the door to indicate that you're not interested in your room service being performed; often makes housekeeping's life that much easier.
