I'm always looking for a good deal, especially when it comes to travel.
Depending on where I am traveling to, a hotel can often cost me a grip - even if it's just a couple nights' stay. For that reason, looking into home rentals is normally my Plan A for making travel accommodations. Over the past few years, using home/vacation rentals instead of hotels has become an extremely popular option. Often, when staying anywhere long term, you can book a home rental at a much lower rate than a hotel with the added bonuses of having the use of a full kitchen and living like a local.
Increasingly, Airbnb is the go-to for our home away from home travel needs. However, because Airbnb has grown tremendously in popularity, finding a place to stay exactly when you need it can sometimes prove to be a difficult feat. When Airbnb rentals are scarce, don’t lose hope and give up on your trip. Instead, there are plenty of other home rental companies that you can choose from as your travel arrangement alternative.
Whether you just need somewhere to lay your head at or you want to live it up like Kanye and Jay Z, here is a list of some Airbnb alternatives to choose from:
1. Can I Stay With You While I Rent My Place on Airbnb?
Cost: $0 - But the company says paying in beer is always a great choice
How Does It Work: This is the 'Airbnb for Airbnb' and if you are an Airbnb renter, it lets you stay somewhere while you rent your place. To use this service, just put in your desired location and your email address, and within 24 hours, they will give you someone to stay with.
2. Home Away
Cost: Varies - depends on accommodation and renter (a booking fee is included)
How Does It Work: Simply enter your travel location details and dates to find rental availability. Once you find your ideal spot, just book and pay.
3. Couchsurfing
Cost: $0
How Does It Work:Couchsurfing members all over the world literally offer their couches to travelers for free. Think that it’s weird? Well, it’s not as weird as you may assume. Over 4 million people (and counting) have used this service. If you are traveling and literally just need somewhere to lay your head, simply make an account and your journey on finding a couch host begins.
4. FlipKey
Cost: Varies - depends on accommodation and renter (a booking fee is included)
How Does It Work: Simply go on their site and search for rentals based off of your travel dates and desired location. FlipKey is a TripAdvisor company, and similar to TripAdvisor, it is very easy to use and navigate.
5. Roomorama
Cost: Varies - depends on accommodation and renter (a booking fee is included)
How Does It Work: Roomorama is very similar to Airbnb. Using Roomorama, you can find short-term vacation rentals in a residential area. To use this service, just go online to their site, and sign up to start your search.
*Bonus*
Innclusive & Noirbnb (coming soon)
What is it: Innclusive and Noirbnb are alternative lodging companies that are each aiming to put an end to the discrimination that has occurred with some of their competitors. Check out Innclusive’s site to sign up and be alerted once they launch. You can also sign up for Noirbnb here.
Related Post: I've Been Jetsetting For A Year Thanks To These 12 Travel Hacks
Do you have experience with any vacation rental companies? If so, share your experience in the comment section below.
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The film follows Faith Mitchell, a wife and mother whose life is upended by a devastating loss. As she spirals into despair, it’s the love of family, friends, and God that slowly leads her back to light. And for Paula, this story wasn’t just a role—it was personal.
“It connected to a time in my life that I could really relate to,” she says. “That feeling of having lost so much and feeling like so much pain, and not knowing how to deal with the pain… and numbing out to do that.”
Courtesy
A Story That Hit Close to Home
Having been sober for seven years, Paula says the emotional territory was familiar. But more than anything, it brought her closer to a deeper truth.
“Once you give [the numbing] up, you have to walk in the desert alone… and that’s when I truly found faith in God.”
Turning Pain Into Purpose
While the film touches on loss and addiction, Finding Faith ultimately lives up to its title. Paula describes the acting process as cathartic—and one she was finally ready for.
“Art became healing,” she says. “That was the biggest challenge of all… but it was a challenge I wanted.”
More Than an Inspirational Thriller
Finding Faith is described as an “inspirational thriller,” with layered tones of romance, suspense, and spiritual reflection. Paula credits that dynamic blend to writer-director LazRael Lison.
“That’s what I love about Finding Faith,” she explains. “Yes, she goes on this journey, but there’s other storylines happening that help it stay entertaining.”
"Finding Faith" cast
Courtesy
On-Set Magic with Loretta Devine
With a cast stacked with phenomnal talent—Loretta Devine, Keith David, Stephen Bishop—it’s no surprise that the film also came alive through unscripted moments.
“We did this kitchen scene… and Loretta changed it,” Paula shares. “She wouldn’t leave. I had to change my dance and figure out how to work with it, and it took on this whole other layer. I’m forever grateful.”
Faith When It Feels Like Night
The film leans on the biblical verse: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Paula says that reminder is something she’s lived.
“When you’re feeling so anxious, and you look out in the distance and see nothing there… that’s when you have to trust God’s timing.”
Divine Timing Behind the Scenes
Paula didn’t just star in the film—she produced it through her company, Third Eye Productions. And the way the opportunity came to her? Nothing short of divine.
“I said, ‘Just for one week, believe everything’s going to be perfect,’” she recalls. “That same day, my friend Charles called and said, ‘I have a film for you. It’s called Finding Faith.’ I thought I was going to throw the phone down.”
What’s Next for Paula Patton?
When asked about a dream role, Paula didn’t name a genre or a character. Her focus now is on legacy—and light.
“I want to make sure I keep making art that entertains people, but also has hope… That it has a bright light at the end to get us through this journey here on Earth.”
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Feature image by Lev Radin/ Shutterstock