People who prefer Airbnb over hotels reveal these 7 personality traits about themselves, says psychology

Ever notice how some people light up when talking about their latest Airbnb stay while others wouldn't dream of booking anything but a traditional hotel?

I've been fascinated by this divide ever since a weekend trip with friends last year. Half the group insisted on booking a quirky loft through Airbnb, while the others practically begged for the predictability of a Marriott. It got me thinking: what does our accommodation preference say about who we are as people?

Turns out, psychology has quite a bit to say about this. Research suggests that people who consistently choose Airbnb over hotels tend to share certain personality traits that go far beyond just wanting to save a few bucks or have access to a kitchen.

After diving into the research and reflecting on my own experiences (yes, I'm firmly in the Airbnb camp), I've identified seven key traits that Airbnb enthusiasts often share. See how many resonate with you.

1) They have high openness to experience

When was the last time you deliberately chose the unknown over the familiar?

People who prefer Airbnb score higher on what psychologists call "openness to experience," one of the Big Five personality traits. They're the ones who order the weirdest thing on the menu, take the scenic route even when running late, and genuinely enjoy not knowing exactly what they're walking into.

I remember booking an Airbnb in Portland that was described as "eclectic artist's space." The photos were deliberately vague. My hotel-loving friends thought I was crazy, but walking into that converted warehouse with murals on every wall and a rooftop garden? Pure magic. That uncertainty, that possibility of surprise, is exactly what draws open personalities to Airbnb.

A study published in Tourism Management found that tourists with higher openness scores were significantly more likely to choose peer-to-peer accommodations over hotels. They view travel as an opportunity for novel experiences rather than just a change of location.

2) They crave authentic experiences

Hotels offer consistency. You know what you're getting with a Hilton in Tokyo versus one in Toronto. But Airbnb lovers? They want to live like a local, even if just for a few days.

This desire for authenticity runs deep. These are the people who skip the tourist traps for the neighborhood cafe, who'd rather struggle through a conversation in broken Spanish than stick to English-speaking areas. They don't want to observe a place; they want to inhabit it.

When I book an Airbnb, I love reading the house manual where hosts share their favorite local spots. One host in Austin left me a hand-drawn map to her favorite taco truck.

You'd never get that at a Holiday Inn. This authenticity-seeking behavior extends beyond travel too. These folks often prefer farmers' markets to supermarkets, independent coffee shops to Starbucks.

3) They value human connection

Think about your last hotel check-in. Quick, efficient, minimal interaction, right? Now compare that to meeting an Airbnb host who shares stories about the neighborhood, offers homemade cookies, or leaves a personalized welcome note.

People drawn to Airbnb often have what researchers call high "interpersonal curiosity."

They genuinely want to know about others' lives and perspectives. Even when booking entire homes without meeting hosts, they read reviews looking for personality, choose places where hosts seem interesting, and often leave detailed, personal reviews themselves.

This isn't about being extroverted necessarily. Some of the biggest Airbnb fans I know are introverts who simply prefer meaningful interactions over surface-level ones. Quality over quantity in human connection.

4) They're comfortable with ambiguity

"But what if the place doesn't look like the photos?" "What if the bed is uncomfortable?" "What if there's no 24-hour front desk?"

These questions keep hotel loyalists up at night but barely register for Airbnb enthusiasts. Research in Frontiers in Psychology suggests that tolerance for ambiguity is a significant predictor of sharing economy participation.

People with high ambiguity tolerance don't need every detail spelled out. They trust their ability to adapt and problem-solve. When the Wi-Fi password doesn't work or the shower runs lukewarm, they see it as a minor puzzle to solve rather than a crisis.

This trait often shows up in other life areas too. These are the people comfortable with career pivots, spontaneous plans, and recipes that say "season to taste." They understand that uncertainty often leads to the best stories.

5) They possess strong autonomy

Want to cook breakfast at 2 AM? Do laundry while sipping wine? Have a living room dance party? Good luck doing any of that in a hotel.

Airbnb attracts those who value autonomy and resist institutional constraints. They don't want to be told when breakfast is served or that they can't bring outside food to the pool. The freedom to create their own travel rhythm matters more than room service.

I learned this about myself after leaving my corporate job. The same need for autonomy that made me chafe at rigid meeting schedules also makes me choose accommodations where I can live by my own rules. No judgment if I want to work from bed until noon or make elaborate dinners instead of eating out.

6) They have environmental consciousness

Here's something interesting: research published in Sustainability found that environmental concern significantly influences preference for peer-to-peer accommodations.

Airbnb users often see their choice as more sustainable. They're utilizing existing housing rather than supporting new hotel construction. No daily linen changes, mini plastic bottles, or excessive air conditioning of empty rooms. Many actively seek out hosts who emphasize eco-friendly practices.

This environmental awareness typically extends beyond travel. These are your friends who bring reusable bags everywhere, actually compost, and can explain why they chose that particular brand of laundry detergent. The sharing economy aligns with their values of reducing waste and maximizing resource use.

7) They demonstrate high adaptability

Every Airbnb stay requires some level of adaptation. Different coffee makers, unique shower quirks, unexpected neighborhood sounds. While hotel guests can count on standardization, Airbnb users must constantly adjust.

People who thrive in these situations show high adaptability across life. They're the ones who remain calm when plans change, who can work effectively in different environments, who don't need their specific brand of everything to feel comfortable.

Think about it: if you can figure out three different types of European washing machines in one trip, navigate various key-box systems, and adapt to different household rhythms, you're demonstrating remarkable flexibility. This adaptability often translates to resilience in facing life's larger challenges too.

Final thoughts

So what does all this mean if you're firmly Team Hotel? Absolutely nothing negative. These traits exist on a spectrum, and there's no right or wrong preference. Some situations genuinely call for hotel reliability, and valuing consistency and professional service reflects equally valid personality traits.

But if you found yourself nodding along to most of these points, it might explain why you keep gravitating toward those unique listings despite your practical friend's protests. Your accommodation preference isn't just about budget or amenities; it's a reflection of how you approach life itself.

Next time you're planning a trip and debating between that boutique hotel and the converted barn listing, remember: you're not just choosing where to sleep. You're expressing who you are.