For business and leisure travel of any length, many people are now turning to the Airbnb platform as an alternative to hotel websites and travel platforms like Expedia. The idea of living temporarily in a fully furnished home or apartment versus a stale hotel room appeals to these travelers because they can have something like a home-away-from-home, usually for less money. A growing number of agencies are even starting to use the platform to place listings for high-quality business rentals.
The challenge is that Airbnb hosts all sorts of accommodations, including many privately-owned facilities with little regulation or vetting. How does one separate the professionally managed properties from the informal arrangements with very little regulatory oversight? How do you secure reliable temporary housing while avoiding the more questionable listings? Let’s discuss how you can locate and identify a certified business rental through Airbnb.
Research the Owner or Property Manager
When you’re looking at places on Airbnb, don’t just look at the location and photos — they may not be accurate to the unit, anyway. Rather, look at the person or agency listing the property. How many reviews do they have? Are the reviews mostly positive? What negative feedback, if any, has been left? How accessible is the owner or property manager for questions or problems? You can often tell even by the language whether you’re dealing with an individual renting out their extra space, or a professional company that offers corporate-style housing.
Check out Airbnb Plus
In an attempt to answer some of the complaints from people who have had negative experience with Airbnb listings, the platform has begun a new category called Airbnb Plus — a verified service in which the unit is professionally inspected before rental to ensure it meets top-tier standards. This new category may cost a bit more per night on average, but many travelers find it offers greater peace of mind. As Airbnb opens its platforms to more and more boutique hotels and lodging companies, you can expect to find many of their listings under the Plus Verified category.
Look for “Superhosts”
If you don’t care who rents the unit as long as it’s top-notch, the next best thing to do with Airbnb is to look for those listings rented by “Superhosts” — those whom the platform has identified as offering superior service and generating stellar ratings over an extended period of time. This category also provides a greater level of confidence among travelers that they are working with someone whom Airbnb recognizes and trusts more than most.
Whether you book through Airbnb or some other platform, if you’re traveling on business and need comfortable lodging for an extended stay in Atlanta or Jacksonville, TP Corporate offers a variety of fully-furnished luxury apartments with plenty of amenities and all the comforts of home — for remarkably affordable rates. To learn more, call us at 800.428.9997.