Airbnb is in midlife crisis mode

Post by nine_k » Wed, May 14, 2025, 2:28 AM UTC

infecto wrote: post #13

fellowniusmonk wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I will always love AirBnB for driving down prices by breaking the hotel cartels in major cities. Over 10 years ago I rented a folding couch right off of Pearl ST. Boulder, CO. I stayed in the living room of someones 1 bedroom apartment for $300 a night instead of 1k+ a night for the equivalent at what amounted to a travel lodge motel. The prices there were out of control, no inventory, just awful. There are "plausibl…

You paid $300 to stay on a fold out couch in a strangers living room. $1000 sounds like market price for a hotel room then.

Post by FabHK » Wed, May 14, 2025, 2:28 AM UTC

aarondf wrote: post #39

theGnuMe wrote: post #11

Here is how it should work. When people go on vacation they want an Apple like experience where it all just works. That is what AirBnB needs to sell. The only other person who probably understands this is Richard Branson (and Disney)... call it AirBnB Concierge (or even AirBnB vacations) to blend in the AmEx style angle. It's easy peasy Chesky, make it happen.

I think https://www.wander.com beat them to it! Wander is what I think AirBnB should've become.

Post by nailer » Wed, May 14, 2025, 2:30 AM UTC

onlyrealcuzzo wrote: post #27

elteto wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because the writing is sort of on the wall for airbnb's current business model. Local regulations are finally catching up to them, limiting new listings or applying the same taxes and fees applied to regular hotels. And airbnb's are not cheaper anymore, and many times not any more convenient than a hotel, due crappy hosts and their excessive fees and regulations. Airbnb is still a great option if the location is unde…

AirBNB forced hotels to MASSIVELY upgrade. There used to be very few hotels with kitchenettes, any space really beside just a bed. There's way more suite and kitchenette options. Lots of people travel for longer than just a night or two, or to travel beyond just business, where you might want to be able to actually enjoy being in your private space. Hotels weren't really designed for this. They wanted you to never be…

Post by apwell23 » Wed, May 14, 2025, 2:32 AM UTC

milkshakes wrote: post #54

nailer wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I’ve found is that “hosts” usually wait to file a review of me as a guest until I file my review. Oh, I thought they did a double unlock. I.e. waiting for both reviews to be finished before publishing either.

that is exactly what they do

Post by mmmBacon » Wed, May 14, 2025, 2:34 AM UTC

nailer wrote: post #52

mmmBacon wrote: post #50

Basic problem with Airbnb is that you’re dealing with small proprietors and the quality and value can be pretty inconsistent. Airbnb has relied on reviews to enforce this but what I’ve found is that “hosts” usually wait to file a review of me as a guest until I file my review. So there’s a disincentive to leave a mixed review. Additionally there’s a creep factor in the number of cameras on the property. Hotels have l…

> I’ve found is that “hosts” usually wait to file a review of me as a guest until I file my review. Oh, I thought they did a double unlock. I.e. waiting for both reviews to be finished before publishing either.