Airbnb News

What started as AirBedandBreakfast.com has grown into a massive public company that IPOd in 2020. Airbnb is now the world's largest online alternative-accommodation community, allowing millions of users to list, search, and rent authentic homestays and vacation-rental experiences in countless cities across the globe.

Hotels

The local fines that Airbnb doesn't want users to know about

Airbnb does not want to warn its hosts of their legal obligations because doing so would not only scare away tens of thousands of listings, it would put the Achilles' Heel of their business model in full display.

12 years ago

Media and PR

The travel booking sites that see a future in neighborhood content

"Neighborhood" is the buzzword for online travel sites this week, but it’s too soon to tell whether it’s a stroke of genius for catering to mobile travelers looking for localized content or very expensive dead end.

Samantha Shankman | 12 years ago

Hotels

Airbnb CEO has a vision of a future where everyone shares -- and Airbnb collects a modest fee

Love it or laugh at it, Chesky's talk was the most thought-provoking moment at the PhoCusWright conference. Yes, the lodging industry will undergo far-reaching changes, but don't burn your mortgages just yet.

Dennis Schaal | 12 years ago

Hotels

Airbnb Neighborhoods puts the alternative lodging company into the travel guide business

These only have a shot at becoming a real challenger to both digital and traditional publishers if they crack the code on the best way to integrate guest reviews and real-world updates into quality destination information.

Samantha Shankman | 12 years ago

Hotels

Trying to find an honest apartment on Airbnb during Sandy: Not so easy

Beyond the good-will, post-Sandy PR from new media companies like Airbnb were the real, on-the-ground realities of price-gouging and odd cancellations that are the persisten reality of any rental marketplace.

12 years ago

Online Travel

Sign up at your own risk: What Airbnb is really saying in its Terms & Conditions

Airbnb tries to rid itself of any responsibility in host and guest interactions, and has succeeded in fostering a level of trust on the site that most users book stays without reading the fine print.

12 years ago

Airlines

Travel companies lend a helping hand in aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

Travel companies from startups to legacy airlines have stepped up during disasters to help out their customers, employees, and the destinations they rely on for their businesses to prosper.

Samantha Shankman | 12 years ago

Ground Transport

Two travel startup darlings get good PR for Sandy response

After first playing the jerk, Uber is now like a billionaire looking for a pat on the back for leaving an extra $5 tip

Barbara Ortuay | 12 years ago

Hotels

How to design a regular bedroom and make it feel like a real hotel

With the rise of Airbnb and homestays, regular folk are learning the little touches that transform a personal bedroom into a room where any guest can feel comfortable (and even a little pampered).

12 years ago

Online Travel

Airbnb raises $117 million in funding and could hit $2 billion valuation

This little chunk of change should help Airbnb spread its wings a bit and get into a few new households.

12 years ago