Spare rooms are the new hotels.  Gone are the days (perhaps wishful thinking on my part) of the obnoxious American traveler.  Many people love travel when it feels like they actually become a part of the scene and the environment.  Airbnb wanted to provide that perfect experience.

And at Airbnb you can rent from people in 28,609 cities and 192 countries.

Now, this is not a new concept.  People have been house-swap vacationing long before 2008, the year Joe Gebbia started Airbnb.

So what about this is different, and what is it exactly? It’s a digital accommodations marketplace that people use to rent out their homes or spare rooms (or igloos, castles, or private islands) like a hotel.

Is it safe? As of June 2012, they have more than 10 million nights booked.  There will be a horror story every now and again, just as there are with hotel rooms, but their track record is great and they have tons of satisfied users and that base is continually growing.

Whether an apartment for a night, a castle for a week, or a villa for a month, Airbnb connects people to unique travel experiences, at any price point.

Use the search page to find a property.  They offer everything from private islands to tree houses.

Or if you want to list, you can do it for free. Create a profile and start uploading photos, name your price, and set available dates.   You can accept or decline requests.

They’ve also recently introduced “Wish Lists,” a platform that empowers members to explore an array of remarkable spaces, discover friends’ favorite listings and plan dream trips.  Like Jen who has scouted out her “Tropic Utopia.”

This is the new and affordable way to travel.   Sharing is caring after all.

 

-Arianna Schioldager