While I absolutely live for hotel stays (themed hotels and fantasy suites are my primary passion in life, but I adore my tried-and-true Double Trees, too), even I can admit that there are some notable ...

Airbnb changed travel when it launched in 2008. The site made homestays a viable option for travelers looking to experience a place more authentically — and do so more affordably than with a hotel.

Airbnb is a wonderful business that has run into some short-term struggles, which has impacted the price. Airbnb connects guests with hosts for short-term rentals, with over 8 million listings.