For a while, it seemed like hotels and Airbnb were mortal enemies. Luckily, times have changed. In 2018, Airbnb announced that they were going to make it easier for boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts to start hosting on their platform.
This was a huge win for the small guys that were competing with Airbnb without the power of a loyal following behind them. Hotels, luckily, were open to the idea. Many were excited to be welcomed into the arms of Airbnb’s growing audience and be able to market their own unique experiences.
But when it comes to your boutique hotel and Airbnb, does it make sense to partner up?
The short answer is yes. And here’s why.
Airbnb’s audience is growing and so is their platform
For boutique hotels that have a limited budget to work with, but exceptional experiences to offer, Airbnb can put them front and center with guests that don’t even think about other booking options. Last year, Airbnb’s boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and other hospitality venues grew by 152%.
That staggering growth is due to the access these hotels now have to vast and loyal travelers. Guests expect great things when they use Airbnb, and for boutique hotels that provide what’s expected, it’s a great way to connect with those travelers.
The people have spoken, and they love Airbnb
According to Airbnb, travelers who booked hotels through their platform last year were really into it. So much so that they gave them an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
For hotels, things like reviews, word of mouth, and great marketing are significant parts of the puzzle. If you don’t have the budget to tackle the last one, it’s imperative that you focus on the other two.
Airbnb users are encouraged to leave reviews consistently. From the second they officially check out, the guests receive emails asking about their stay and encouraging them to rate it.
If you want to build up your reputation, Airbnb is an excellent way to do that.
Tap into last-minute travelers
One thing hotels have had a hard time doing in the past is finding those last-minute travelers to fill their rooms at the end of the day. Airbnb can be beneficial when it comes to this.
The company’s recent acquisition of Hotel Tonight means they’re connected with travelers that are actively looking for last-minute stays. The acquisition was one of the first moves towards including hotels on their roster, and it’s only grown from there.
Additionally, the platform has found that the boutique hotels open up more doors when travelers can’t find a room or home to book. And those guests are open to staying in hotels because they’re instantly bookable as well as unique — everything they expect from Airbnb.
Hotels and Airbnb have had a long, messy relationship. Now that it’s on the mend, smaller hotels that need that little extra push can find a great audience through the platform.
If you’re thinking about hopping on the Airbnb bandwagon, now is a great time to do it.
