Airbnb Targets Hotel Market with Luxury Services Including Private Chefs
In a bid to tempt travellers who have always tended towards hotels, Airbnb is including luxury services including spa treatments and private chefs with its relaunched app.
“People choose hotels for their services. People choose Airbnbs for the space,” said the company's chief executive Brian Chesky in a press statement. “Now, we’re giving you the best of both worlds—amazing homes with services that make them even more special.”
The company adds that all service providers are vetted and some are exclusive. It also adds that they will come with a range of price tags but many Airbnb venues will have “an entry offering below $50”.
As well as Airbnb Services – the little extras to make your stay “more special”, the company has relaunched Airbnb Experiences, which are location-specific and a chance to explore a place with a local. This originally launched in 2016 but will now be accessible through a tab in the updated app.
These include ramen-making with chef Saburo Ishigōka, who heads up a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant; or “get[ting] a wardrobe refresh with a personal styling session from Jamie Mizrahi, fashion consultant to Hollywood’s biggest stars”.
There are also some experiences that are unique to Airbnb. “Learn pastry-making at the renowned French Bastards bakery with chef Raphaelle Elbaz, or play beach volleyball with Olympian Carol Solberg on Rio’s iconic Leblon Beach”, says the company in its statement.
The move is a bid to drum up more customers and offer bespoke experiences to counter the impact of short-term let bans being brought in by authorities in several cities, including Barcelona.
Both Experiences and Services are being made available immediately as is the app upgrade.
