Amazing Deals with AirBNB Apartment and Vacation Rentals
While this is not a gay specific service, it’s a COOL service a lot of my gay friends have tried. (Once you create an account, you can join a LGBT group – and search for LGBT places, if you wish).
You have heard of couch surfing, and home sharing – now come AIRBNB. A community marketing unique places to stay, at all price points.
Airbnb makes available a platform or marketplace with related technology
for Guests and Hosts to meet online and arrange for bookings of
Accommodations.
We connect people who have space to spare with those who are looking for
a place to stay. Guests can build real connections with their hosts,
gain access to distinctive spaces, and immerse themselves in the culture
of their destinations. Whether it’s an urban apartment or countryside
castle, Airbnb makes it effortless to showcase your space to an audience
of millions, and to find the right space at any price point, anywhere.
1. Use the search page to find a property. Enter the dates you need and
browse by availability. Message hosts with any question through the
onsite messaging system.
2. Enter your credit card information and click Book It! A host will accept
your request within 24 hours and at that point contact information, the
address of the property and other important information will be shared. You payment is held until 24 hours after your arrival – to make sure there are no problems.
3. Get your itinerary details immediately upon host confirmation of your
request. Contact your host to confirm arrival details. After the trip is
over, share your experience by leaving a review.
As the host, you can list your place for free. AIRBNB takes a small percentage from the renter and the lister, after a transaction takes place.
LOTS to choose from. New York City is the biggest market and has over 2500 listings! But other places like Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Washington DC , Hawaii, Paris, Italy – just about everywhere, have inventory to select from.
- +19,000 cities
- 192 countries
Since its debut in 2008, AIRBNB,
based in San Francisco, has booked more than two million nights of
lodging all over the world. People rent out their entire home or apartment — or just a room or a
bed — to others who find Marriott boring or want to see life in a new
area as a local would. And some of the spaces are very cool! Stay on Yacht, stay in a tree house, find a place with a hot tub, or simply find a bed to crash on.
My only caution is to be sure to check out reviews / ratings. Since this is an unregulated situation, one must keep in mind, you are not renting a hotel room. The mattress may not be a deluxe pillow top. It could be in a noisy neighborhood. But they are trade offs, as with anything. You must be a flexible traveler – or stick with the chain hotels.
Check out AIRBNB for your next trip!
