In this post I will share my initial opinions about the Airbnb accommodation service. For those who don’t know what it is (I am really In doubt if someone has not heard about them) – it is a community of hosts and travelers who give and rent accommodation.
Recently I was visiting Switzerland and I decided to give it a try. More over I was traveling alone and this was a main reason to try it. You don’t want to have unexpected experiences when traveling with two small kids and a wife, right?
Site and app
The service has excellent site and mobile app. More or less it is looking as every other booking site. One significant difference is the instant chat you can have with host. I chatted a lot with my hosts, mainly about logistics and practicalities.
What did I try
I was in 3 different places – Geneva, Lousanne and Bern. Everywhere I was welcomed, got beddings, towels and wi-fi password. Really nice for a start. Despite of this everything else was different in terms of behavior and surrounding. I was having a virtual host, a French speaking host and a party animal which, indeed, was very welcoming host.
What do I think
During my trip I was thinking what kind of person will run such a “business”. I met three different paterns and I am still confused what this is about. I will say: it is a craziness which no hotel in the world can offer you. You get my more than you pay for. The experience, the touch to the culture, the personal attention are different and priceless. I am tired of boring clerks and stupid faces in every hotel I visit. So, definitely this is a solution and a system which will work for the near future.
Secondly, I was guessing if this is the real owner renting the space. I don’t have an answer or evidence yet, but sometimes it could be not. It could be something bigger, an agency or something similar. I think this is killing the experience and the idea. We should not allow it come over because the renting out gets commercialised and the it is loosing from its spirit.
Should I share my space
Definitely I will recommend and I will do it myself later this year. It is a tremendous way of getting new experience, some new fun and few bucks in the pocket. You can only win from all of these!
radoslav.dk 