As travel costs continue to climb across Africa’s major cities from Lagos to Cape Town, Accra to Nairobi, budget-conscious tourists are rethinking where they stay as more travelers ditch traditional hotels for short-let rentals as the holiday approaches.
The reason is simple flexibility, space, and cost savings. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a month-long workcation, choosing an apartment over a hotel could mean slashing your accommodation budget while gaining the comfort of home.
As the festive season approaches across Africa, millions of Nigerians, Ghanaians, Kenyans, and others leave the cities for their hometowns, turning towns and villages into vibrant hubs of Christmas celebrations. From weddings to street carnivals, the holiday period is more than just a break.
It’s a cultural homecoming, but with all the excitement comes a practical question: where should you stay, and how can you do it without overspending?
Why short-term apartments save you money
Short-term rental apartments have become the go-to option for Africans traveling home for the holidays, and for good reason. Airbnb alone now lists over 130,000 properties across Africa and has welcomed more than 3.5 million guests, with half of those arrivals recorded in just the past year.
Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Mozambique rank among Airbnb’s eight fastest-growing markets globally, while seven African nations have seen guest arrivals double in the past year.
So why are short-lets financially smarter than hotels? First, they often cost significantly less per person, especially if you’re traveling with family or friends. Instead of paying for multiple hotel rooms, you can rent a single apartment that accommodates everyone comfortably.
According to Private Property Nigeria, renting a short-let apartment in Lagos costs between ₦140,000 per day for a two-bedroom unit and ₦380,000 per day for a four-bedroom apartment complete with kitchen and bathrooms. By comparison, staying a night in some popular four and five-star hotels range from ₦280,000 to ₦2.5 million (about $200 USD to $1,750 USD)
Staying in a short-let apartment gives you space to cook, entertain family, and enjoy multiple bedrooms and living areas, while a hotel stay typically grants you just a room, limited communal space, and basic services often at a significantly higher cost.
For many families, the savings are substantial. Kwame Mensah, a 42-year-old entrepreneur in Accra, says switching from hotels to short-lets completely changed his family’s festive routine. “When you’re traveling with kids, hotels can be very limiting. We’re a family of five, so booking two rooms over the Christmas period costs a fortune.”
“With a short-let, we get a full apartment, two or three bedrooms, a living area, even laundry space. My wife cooks, the children have room to play, and we save money on meals. Hotels are fine for business trips, but for family holidays, short-term rentals make a lot more sense.”
Zainab Abdi, a 29-year-old creative based in Nairobi, says she prefers short-term apartments because they fit her spontaneous lifestyle. “I like to go wherever the December vibe takes me – one weekend I’m in Mombasa, the next I’m in Kisumu. That flexibility is why I love short-lets. You can book for a few days, extend your stay, or move to another city without paying heavy cancellation fees like in hotels. I also find that short-term apartments give a better sense of local life where you meet neighbors, shop at local markets, and it’s just cheaper overall.”
Hotels charge premium rates for last-minute bookings, especially during Christmas, but short-lets allow flexible extensions without breaking the bank and also giving you the comfort of home, the freedom to move, and the savings to enjoy the season fully.
Hotels vs. short-lets: picking the best option for your budget
Hotels still have their advantages – daily cleaning, room service, and security are reassuring, particularly for short visits or first-time travelers. Tourists from the UK, US, Germany, and the Netherlands often choose hotels for convenience and peace of mind.
They give you more space, more freedom, and more control over your spending. By booking a short-let, you free up money for gifts, festive meals, and other holiday experiences without compromising comfort.
Whether you’re staying a few days or a few weeks, where you stay can make or break your holiday.
Choosing a short-term apartment over a hotel ensures that you enjoy comfort, privacy, and savings during your African festive journey.
This Christmas, step away from traditional hotels – your wallet, your family, and your festive spirit will thank you.
