|
|
Post by Kristi on Oct 28, 2015 3:05:33 GMT
Hello my fellow Airbnbers,
I have noticed a trend lately of some of the Motels in my town are now posting some of their rooms here on Airbnb. I have one Historic Hotel listing a room or 2 as well. Here I thought the Hotel industry is the fraction who is compalining about us taking away their revenue. I just feel we offer something different than just a hotel room. And where is the communication, the relationship, the trust factor? Do you think Airbnb knows of these places? What is our recourse?
|
|
|
|
Post by High Priestess on Oct 28, 2015 5:25:06 GMT
HI Kristi! Well, you have brought up a very good question, that is surely on the minds of many Airbnb hosts --- and something that has been mentioned before.
This topic can potentially open into several dimensions, issues or questions. The first is the question about what is Airbnb's "intent" for listings on its site. The second issue is what accomodations people use the Airbnb site to list, regardless of Airbnb's intentions. THe third issue is "personal/individual" or "small operator" vs larger operator or commercial establishment.
None of these things are as black and white as some would like things to be. For instance, suppose Darlene rents two bedrooms in her private home on Airbnb. THis is what many may view as a "typical" Airbnb host, offering space in her own home. BUt suppose Darlene goes down to the city and gets a certain piece of paper, and then calls herself "Hummingbird Inn" or "Hummingbird B&B" or "Hummingbird Hotel" She is doing the exact same thing but is now classed as a hotel or inn. Point being that IMHO it is not really feasible to "keep hotels/inns/B&B's out" of Airbnb. It would be odd to see the Hyatt Regency advertising rooms on AIrbnb, but the smaller hotels, inns and B&B's -- well perhaps they are family establishments and not really too much different from what many families are doing as typical AIrbnb hosts. So I don't think it is fair to make assumptions about what someone is doing based on what they call themselves.
As far as that goes, Darlene lives at "Hummingbird Inn" and so she may provide a more personal and relational experience than Harvey, who rents out his house when he goes out of town, and is never there to even meet the guests, but has a real estate agent he knows take care of that.
I think Airbnb may not like it if large hotel chains list rooms on its site -- you can always flag a listing and have it evaluated if you think it doesn't belong on the site -- but smaller hotels and inns, I have actually seen quite a few of those on Airbnb , particularly ones located in small towns or resort areas.
|
|
|
|
Post by Olivier François on Oct 28, 2015 21:20:05 GMT
I agree with you Deborah but... If a litle hotel have some rooms on Airbnb, and if I realise it's an hotel while searching what about prices. I love airbnb but I wouldn't want to pay in advance, I wouln't want to pay Airbnb fees for stay in an hotel.
I'm actually making plans for my snowbird travel (I read this expression on airbnb groups and I love it, with my partner we are real snowbird, west france coast on mid-spring, summer, mid-automn; south Portugal the rest of the time). I was looking a place to stay on the way in Spain and found only little hotel rooms available. I went on Booking and found the same places for 20% less price! and don't have an anticipate payment.
The same in Portugal where we plan a little break during our stay (we renovate an old tipical tiny house), in november and december, out of Lisbon or Porto most of hosts don't rent their places and you just have hotels listings on airbnb. As I have an Airbnb credit to be spend until february I tried to use it. I made at least 5 inquiries and I get just 1 answer 'we add on Airbnb but just have direct booking, so give me your name, dates and it's ok, see you soon!'.
If Airbnb is ok with these listings I don't care but think it's far away from original concept.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kristi on Oct 29, 2015 1:14:12 GMT
A few of the places are small hotels, like 12-20 rooms. They have one or 2 of the rooms listed on Airbnb. There is another large Historical Hotel and they have 1 or 2 rooms listed as well. The Historical place you can tell its a hotel but the other ones the guest may not figure it out until they arrive. I guess buyer beware.
|
|
