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This is out of left field, but I'd use it to start a huge home cleaning business. All those homeowners need to clean rooms between guests, why let some other c

by johnrob 12y ago

This is out of left field, but I'd use it to start a huge home cleaning business. All those homeowners need to clean rooms between guests, why let some other company take that business? As for other ideas - what else do hotels spend money or hire people to do (cleaning was my example)? Those are the natural areas of expansion.

bigdubs 12y ago
I'm not an expert on AirBnB in the slightest but I think that's what you would consider their competitive advantage; you make the homeowners assume the responsibilities normally reserved for the Hotel. That way AirBnB just acts as an intermediary and doesn't need to deal with the fussy details.
- Retric 12y ago
  AirBnB's advantage is they don't need to invest capital in real estate. But, the fussy details are how company's make money.
  - refurb 12y ago
    Interestingly, most hotels do NOT own the property the offer. Hotel chains like Hilton are hired by property owners to manage the hotel business. Or at least thats what wikipedia says (1). like many hoteliers, Hyatt operates hotels for a fee as a management company, and does not usually own the real estate (1)http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyatt_Regency_walkway_collapse http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyatt_Regency_walkway_collaps...
    - lotsofpulp 12y ago
      Technically, most hotels do own the property they offer. Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, Marriott, IHG, Choice, Wyndham are all brands. They sell the reputation, that the owners of a hotel building buy (i.e. franchise) and pay royalties to. Sometimes a hotel brand owns the hotel building, sometimes a hotel brand manages the hotel, and sometimes they do both. But in the vast majority of cases, the hotel brand is in a franchising agreement with the hotel owner, and many times the hotel owner will hire a management company to deal with running the hotel itself.
kmccor2008 12y ago
And I'd say you would be right: http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/31/airbnb-cleaning-service/ http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/31/airbnb-cleaning-service/
gagaga 12y ago
They're already piloting this idea. https://www.airbnb.com/help/question/488 https://www.airbnb.com/help/question/488
tomblomfield 12y ago
This is an excellent idea. I'm often out of town for 2-3 weeks, but I can't take multiple bookings because I don't have anyone to change the linen & take out the trash. I'd also like some way of organising the key drop-off. A couple of companies are already doing this as a standalone service: http://proprly.com http://proprly.com https://apoio.co https://apoio.co https://www.airenvy.com https://www.airenvy.com
- josephjrobison 12y ago
  Don't forget new YC Alum http://www.booksuperhost.com/ http://www.booksuperhost.com/
subdane 12y ago
Actually, Chesky said exactly this recently, from the article, "One starting point: a cleaning service that will offer fresh sheets and towels to Airbnb proprietors." http://www.fastcompany.com/3027107/punk-meet-rock-airbnb-brian-chesky-chip-conley http://www.fastcompany.com/3027107/punk-meet-rock-airbnb-bri...

by johnrob 12y ago

bigdubs 12y ago

I'm not an expert on AirBnB in the slightest but I think that's what you would consider their competitive advantage; you make the homeowners assume the responsibilities normally reserved for the Hotel. That way AirBnB just acts as an intermediary and doesn't need to deal with the fussy details.

Retric 12y ago
AirBnB's advantage is they don't need to invest capital in real estate. But, the fussy details are how company's make money.
- refurb 12y ago
  Interestingly, most hotels do NOT own the property the offer. Hotel chains like Hilton are hired by property owners to manage the hotel business. Or at least thats what wikipedia says (1). like many hoteliers, Hyatt operates hotels for a fee as a management company, and does not usually own the real estate (1)http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyatt_Regency_walkway_collapse http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyatt_Regency_walkway_collaps...
  - lotsofpulp 12y ago
    Technically, most hotels do own the property they offer. Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, Marriott, IHG, Choice, Wyndham are all brands. They sell the reputation, that the owners of a hotel building buy (i.e. franchise) and pay royalties to. Sometimes a hotel brand owns the hotel building, sometimes a hotel brand manages the hotel, and sometimes they do both. But in the vast majority of cases, the hotel brand is in a franchising agreement with the hotel owner, and many times the hotel owner will hire a management company to deal with running the hotel itself.

kmccor2008 12y ago

And I'd say you would be right: http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/31/airbnb-cleaning-service/ http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/31/airbnb-cleaning-service/

gagaga 12y ago

They're already piloting this idea. https://www.airbnb.com/help/question/488 https://www.airbnb.com/help/question/488

tomblomfield 12y ago

This is an excellent idea. I'm often out of town for 2-3 weeks, but I can't take multiple bookings because I don't have anyone to change the linen & take out the trash. I'd also like some way of organising the key drop-off. A couple of companies are already doing this as a standalone service: http://proprly.com http://proprly.com https://apoio.co https://apoio.co https://www.airenvy.com https://www.airenvy.com

josephjrobison 12y ago
Don't forget new YC Alum http://www.booksuperhost.com/ http://www.booksuperhost.com/

subdane 12y ago

Actually, Chesky said exactly this recently, from the article, "One starting point: a cleaning service that will offer fresh sheets and towels to Airbnb proprietors." http://www.fastcompany.com/3027107/punk-meet-rock-airbnb-brian-chesky-chip-conley http://www.fastcompany.com/3027107/punk-meet-rock-airbnb-bri...