Out with Hotels & In With Airbnb

Out with Hotels & In With Airbnb

Story by Savannah Scriven| Photos by Kassidy Malcolm| Design by Jenae Harris

You have always given me a safe place to stay, you hugged me in your comforters and gave me continental breakfast, but I don’t think we’re going to work out anymore. Hotels, it’s not you, it’s me. There is a new way to save money and have more unique experiences. I’ve been seeing Airbnbs lately-- and I think I fell in love.

Airbnbs have been making quite a presence for themselves over the past few years, and people are noticing. PULSE set out to find what makes these types of accommodations so special.

According to Airbnb co-founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia in an interview with Mixergy, the company’s name originates from air mattress B&B.

Three roommates were tight on money and not able to pay their rent. After seeing how booked up the surrounding hotels were, they set up an inflatable mattress in hopes that someone would simply appreciate a place to stay.

Much to their surprise, their advertisement efforts worked. This situation prompted the two to kickstart a business.

AIRBNB APP:

Most of us have had at least one unpleasant experience with using apps. Sometimes the navigation is not the most understandable or sometimes the design just isn’t appealing.

Airbnb’s app is designed to combat both of these issues. You don’t just get help finding places to stay, but you also get to discover local experiences and restaurants in order to create

a well-rounded trip. Like Pinterest, you can create different categories of ‘lists’ to save ideas for your next adventure.

When setting up an account, users can give a description of themselves so that the hosts may be better equipped to give a more personalized stay. If you don’t want to just be a traveler, there is a section on the app that gives instructions on how to become a host.

If you don’t have an extra room to spare, but still want to contribute to a person’s vacation in your area, you can sign up to host an ‘experience.’ This will

give travelers an inside look on your life as a local, showing your “hobbies, skills and expertise” on things to do, according to the app.

COST

With expenses and rent continuing to rise, sometimes the thought of spending money on a trip is daunting.

“When new inventory is created, prices drop. That is capitalism. Airbnb is a new hotel inventory,” says Dr. Se Eun Lee, event & tourism management program professor. “So, prices drop in the region. This means students can travel for cheaper.”

Airbnb allows customers to set their price range through their app to see what accommodation would be the best fit for them. The lowest price offered for a room in certain locations is only $10. Most Airbnb rooms in Ellensburg average for about $60 per night which is still cheaper than the average hotel room, which stands at $100. Airbnb also offers credits and coupons for their users which can drive down prices as well.

When you invite a friend to book with Airbnb and they use your link, they will receive $40 in travel credit. Once they book a trip that reaches $75 or more, you

will receive a $20 credit, which can make your stay even cheaper. Airbnb also allows you to enter a work email to unlock special perks while on a business trip.

UNIQUENESS

Although there’s a wide variety of hotels, Airbnbs provide a more unique experience and an even wider range of accommodations. Tree houses, hobbit holes, cabins, windmills, castles, caves, penthouses and so many more are available through Airbnb.

The large array of options to select from can be refreshing. “Hotels are cookie-cutter. Sure, there are some one-offs, but ... 95 percent or more of the rooms in the USA fall into what we would consider cookie-cutter,” says Lee.

Not only are the structures of Airbnbs unique, the interiors are as well. If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation, Airbnb might be the right fit for you.

CWU CUSTOMERS OF AIRBNB

Courtney Lazoff, an event management major, says she would much rather stay at an Airbnb than a hotel. “You get customer service at a hotel, but that’s only at the front desk,” Lazoff says.

“At Airbnb, it’s the entire stay... It’s like staying the night at a friend’s house.”

Airbnb superhosts are a must for Lazoff when booking her next trip. “Superhosts are experienced, more reliable and high-rated so I wont end up being scammed,” says Lazoff.

Lazoff says she would still book Airbnbs due to their uniqueness and low cost, even if she had a large sum of money to spend, rather than booking an expensive hotel.

HarLee Ortega, a tourism management major, believes that Airbnbs give an authentic experience.

“If I am [traveling] with a group of friends, then I would want an Airbnb,” says Ortega. “We can split it more ways so it will be cheaper and we can all hangout, play games and cook dinner together.”

While staying at Airbnbs, Ortega finds the opportunity to connect with friends, making this an important part of her experience.

Airbnbs possess unique, individual qualities and affordable prices. Along with some positive reviews from CWU students it’s safe to say that you might need to take a break from hotels and get connected with Airbnbs.