A holiday home or a hotel in Italy – which is worth it?

The key clicks in the lock, you step through the door, and there it is: your own terrace, the chirping of cicadas, and the scent of rosemary wafting over from the garden somewhere. No reception desk, no queues, no unfamiliar corridor. This is exactly the moment many people describe when asked why they chose a holiday home over a hotel. Yet every year, the same question arises: holiday home or hotel?

And to be honest, the answer depends less on your budget than you might think – but rather on what sort of holiday you’re planning. If you’re travelling with children, a dog or a larger group and really want to switch off, a holiday home is almost always the wiser choice. If, on the other hand, you’re planning three days in Rome packed with sightseeing, you’re often better off in a hotel, because by the evening, you’ll just want to hand in your key.

Let’s take a closer look at both options.

Which costs more – a holiday home or a hotel?

Let’s start with the figures; they rarely lie. On average across Europe, you’ll pay around 1,010 euros for a week in a holiday home, compared with around 1,530 euros for a hotel. That’s a difference of a good 515 euros – for one week.

In Italy, the difference is even more pronounced in some cases. A holiday flat in Rome costs around 680 to 710 euros per week, whilst a comparable hotel room costs 1,800 to 2,230 euros. That can add up to savings of over 1,000 euros. The same picture emerges when looking at the country as a whole: around 75 euros per night for a holiday flat, just under double that for a hotel room at around 144 euros.

What is often overlooked are the additional costs. The minibar, Wi-Fi, parking, a glass of wine at the hotel bar – it all adds up. In a holiday home, these costs are usually simply eliminated, and if you’re self-catering as well, you’ll save a fair bit by avoiding daily restaurant visits, particularly on longer stays or when travelling in a group.

Privacy: your own home rather than a shared corridor

A holiday home isn’t a room you share with other guests – for the duration of your holiday, it’s simply your own home. Separate bedrooms, your own living area, often with a terrace or garden to boot. When you’ve put the children to bed in the evening, you can sit down in the living room afterwards, rather than having to sneak through unfamiliar hotel corridors.

It’s different in a hotel. Shared corridors, a packed dining room, the pool with fifty other guests at the same time – and if a party gets going in the neighbouring room or the entertainment programme is on, you’ll hear it too. Holiday homes, particularly villas in the countryside or in Tuscany, on the other hand, often come with their own private grounds. No fixed mealtimes, no dress code – just do whatever takes your fancy.

Travelling with children: where can you relax more?

For families, holiday apartments are considered the more relaxing option in almost every travel guide, and for good reason. More space, separate bedrooms, your own kitchen – exactly what you need with young children, especially on rainy days or when nobody fancies going out at lunchtime.

Many family-friendly holiday flats already come with cots and highchairs, which makes packing your suitcases much easier. The children can run about in the garden, whilst the parents get a chance to relax in the same house.

But hotels have their advantages too: childcare or entertainment programmes give parents genuine breaks by the hour, and swimming pools with an evening buffet or a private stretch of beach are classic selling points for family hotels on the coast. If you’re looking for a bit of a break, a hotel is the place for you. If you’re seeking space and independence, a holiday home is the answer.

Holidays with a dog: a holiday home almost always wins out

For anyone travelling with a dog, the decision is usually made in advance. Many holiday homes in Italy are explicitly pet-friendly, often even featuring a fenced-in garden – a detail that can make all the difference between a relaxing and a stressful holiday. Tuscany and rural regions in particular offer ideal conditions for this, such as the Parco dell’Uccellina in southern Tuscany with its endless walking trails.

In hotels, on the other hand, pets are often not allowed at all or are only tolerated for an extra charge, and restaurant and pool areas remain off-limits. The sheer number of options available shows just how big this trend has become: there are over half a million pet-friendly holiday properties in Italy. For holiday home holidaymakers, this simply means more freedom for the whole family – including the four-legged members.

Pool and garden: private retreat or large complex?

For many, having their own pool is simply part of a summer in Italy, and this is where an interesting difference becomes apparent. In a holiday home with a pool, the water is for your own group’s exclusive use – a real bonus when travelling with children, as it simply makes for a more relaxed experience.

Hotel pools, on the other hand, are often larger, with sun loungers, a pool bar and sometimes their own stretch of beach – but you share them with far more people. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, you’re better off in a private villa. If you like hustle and bustle and the amenities on offer, go for a hotel. In Tuscany and on Lake Como, there’s certainly a wide selection of villas with their own pools.

Cooking for yourself instead of a set buffet schedule

In a holiday home, you decide for yourself when and what to eat. This independence makes it possible to cook with fresh ingredients from the market and experience Italian cuisine in a truly authentic way – usually with a noticeable cost saving compared to daily restaurant visits. For anyone with specific dietary requirements – whether vegan, gluten-free or lactose-free – having your own kitchen is a definite plus anyway. A hotel, on the other hand, offers pure convenience: breakfast or half-board with absolutely no effort required, though you’re tied to fixed times and a set menu, and additional requests usually cost extra.

When a hotel is the better choice

However much may speak in favour of a holiday home – in some situations, a hotel simply remains the more practical solution. Take a short city break, for example: anyone heading to Rome, Florence or Milan for just a long weekend will benefit from the central location, the 24-hour reception and daily room cleaning. There are also plenty of reasons to choose a hotel for a pampering break for two – a breakfast buffet, room service and a spa, all without having to cook or tidy up.

And if you’re travelling without your own car, a hotel in the city centre or near the station is much more convenient than a holiday home in the countryside. Large seaside hotel complexes also have their own appeal: entertainment, sports programmes, a private stretch of beach – an all-inclusive, carefree package that a holiday home naturally cannot offer.

When a holiday home is worth it

Conversely, there are situations in which a holiday home is hard to beat. Family holidays in Tuscany or on Lake Como, for example: the children sleep in their own rooms, whilst the parents enjoy the living room and terrace, often with a garden or swimming pool to boot. Or holidays with a dog, where a fenced-in garden and nature on the doorstep make the stay noticeably more relaxing for your four-legged friend.

Holidays with friends are another good reason to choose a holiday home: several bedrooms, a shared living area, a large kitchen for sociable evenings – and the whole thing is usually significantly cheaper than if everyone booked their own hotel room. For stays of one to two weeks, self-catering with your own shopping really pays off anyway.

Rome, Tuscany, Lake Como: a comparison of three regions

In Rome, holiday flats are significantly cheaper than hotels and are ideal for families and longer stays, whilst also offering a central location. Tuscany scores highly with numerous villas featuring a pool and garden, ideal for holidays with dogs and anyone who appreciates the peace and quiet of the countryside and self-catering. And on Lake Como, many providers explicitly highlight the cost and privacy benefits of holiday flats over hotels – the average prices prove them right.

Decision matrix briefly

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a holiday home in Italy cheaper than a hotel?

In most cases, yes. Across Europe, the difference averages over 500 euros per week; in Rome, it can sometimes exceed 1,000 euros – mainly because the additional costs for a minibar, breakfast or valet parking simply don’t apply in a holiday home.

Are holiday homes in Italy dog-friendly?

Many are, especially in the countryside and in Tuscany. There are over half a million pet-friendly holiday properties available nationwide, often with fenced-in gardens.

Is a holiday home also worth it for a short city break?

Probably not. For short trips to Rome, Florence or Milan, a centrally located hotel is usually more practical.

Which region is best suited for a holiday home with a pool?

Tuscany and Lake Como offer the widest selection of villas with private pools in peaceful surroundings.

Ultimately, it comes down to what sort of holiday suits you best. If you’re looking for space, peace and quiet, and the freedom to do as you please, you’ll find your temporary home in a holiday home. If you’d rather just arrive, relax and enjoy yourself, you’ll be in good hands at a hotel.