Photos courtesy of Airbnb
Hotels can be pricy. Sometimes they don’t quite capture the unique beauty or individuality of a city. Hostels? Maybe when you were backpacking across Europe in your 20s, but they’re certainly not for every type of traveler.
That’s where Airbnb steps in.
Airbnb is a company that allows its users to list their property – whether that be an entire house, an apartment or simply a room – for rent. Travelers can search for hosts and properties in whatever city they may be visiting, book a room and crash with a local.
That’s what one of Airbnb’s recent commercial spots boasts: “Don’t go there. Live there.”
Since its founding in 2008, more than 60 million guests have used Airbnb. There are properties in more than 191 countries and 34,000 cities. More than 1,400 castles are listed as properties.
Columbus has more than 300 Airbnb properties. Through reviews, recommendations and requiring guests and hosts alike to verify their identities, Airbnb is considered to be a secure, safe way to travel.
Josh Miller, a resident of German Village, has lived in Columbus for 20 years. He decided to offer up his home to visitors after he started working from home instead of his office. Previously, he’d never used Airbnb’s services.
“I found myself going stir crazy during a winter storm,” he says. “And I thought, ‘I’ll bring people to me, if I’m going to be stuck here working. That would make it more exciting.’”
Airbnb takes care of the business end of the transaction, he says.
“When people arrive, it really is just like friends coming to crash for the weekend,” Miller says.
Finding a space that fits each individual traveler’s needs is fairly simple. That means if someone wants an entire house (or castle) rather than just a room, he or she can find it.
“The way the system works, you can select every detail. If there’s someone who doesn’t want to share a bathroom, they’re not going to see your listing,” Miller says. “Everyone has a different setup, for every possible scenario.”
Airbnb has come under some heat for negatively impacting the hotel market, but Miller says that’s not the case. In his experience, Airbnb attracts a certain type of traveler. Sometimes, he says, it attracts people who otherwise would not be able to travel.
“The biggest differentiator is that the business part is out of the mix entirely,” Miller says. “When guests arrive, they immediately have some insight and someone to guide them wherever they need to go, someone to give them tips. It’s much better than a major hotel, and it’s not cannibalizing on that market.”
Airbnb isn’t only for adventurers. Miller says he hosts many people who are considering moving to Columbus, or are visiting for job interviews. Some want to check out specific neighborhoods.
“I can make a difference just by interacting with that specific crowd. A hotel won’t make that sort of impact,” Miller says. “They don’t get any insight as to what’s happening in neighborhoods, so I see a lot of that. We’re a growing city.”
Miller urges guests to treat their hosts as friends and take advantage of the unique opportunity to connect with each city’s locals and culture.
“Treat it like you’re visiting someone you haven’t seen in a long time,” he says. “It really is similar to that situation.”
Hannah Bealer is an editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Airbnb Safety
- Read reviews and host profiles carefully. Check for verified phone numbers, social media accounts, etc.
- Pay for your booking through Airbnb, not in person, to ensure your information is secure. Message the host only through Airbnb so there is a record of your communication.
- If something about the reservation makes you uncomfortable, trust your intuition and don’t book it.
- Strike up a conversation with your host not only about the spots to visit, but the spots to avoid. As a local, he or she should have some insight.
- Research the neighborhood and familiarize yourself with the location. Have an emergency plan.
- Let family and friends know where you’ll be staying.
- Consider traveler’s insurance.
What Makes a Good Guest?
- Verify your identification and fill out your bio on your Airbnb profile. Hosts will want to know more about you, so they can be at ease.
- Communicate your expectations and special needs to the host.
- Arrive on time, or let your host know if you’ll be late.
- Treat the trip as if you’re staying at a friend’s house. Respect the house rules.
- Ask the host before having guests over.
- Explore the neighborhood and support local businesses. Ask your host about his or her favorite spots.
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