During our recent trip (Niagara, Toronto, Quebec and Dubai) we stayed in five “3 to 4 stars” hotels and Alexandra’s home in Montreal. It was our first stay in an Airbnb accommodation and we (4 persons) were pleasantly surprised to discover that there is not any significant differences between Alexandra’s home and the hotels in terms of room comfort and facilities.

In hotels we have a nice lobby (where you rarely spend time) and smiling receptionists welcoming you with the electronic key card (minimum 2 keys for 4 person) granting us access to our room. Sometimes we were welcomed by some refreshments plus the “luggage” boy, you sometimes give a “tip”; sacrificing a beer. Ok, we have breakfast facilities in hotels but we do not care as restaurants around big hotels are cheaper places to eat fantastic food.

In Alexandra’s home, you enter the room as in your home. It is equipped with WIFI and a nice kitchenette where you may cook your own food; mostly unnecessary because the apartment is surrounded by lots of restaurants and stores.
There is no smiling receptionist but Alexandra or her friend answered our email (2) in less than an hour. The apartment is quite close to the Metro station. For a family of 4 people, our stay would have been perfect if we had two “Magnetic keys” to enter the building instead of one as our destinations were not always same. Finally, it was a Value to Money stay, costing us roughly, 40-60% less than in hotels.