Skift Take
Airbnb as an event venue search engine
Airbnb is leading a revolution in the hospitality industry.
Travellers from all over the world are using it to avoid unreasonably high hotel fees and find their home away from home.
What about using ?
I am just back from a trip to Milan where, for the price of a 2 star hotel, I enjoyed the confort of a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment located in one of the best areas of the city.
How did I manage to get such a great deal?
Through Airbnb, a peer to peer marketplace that lets users discover, book and rent unique accommodation around the world.
In February 2011, Airbnb reached the impressive milestone of 1 Million nights booked.
Rachel Botsman in her book “What’s Mine Is Yours: The Rise of Collaborative Consumption” uses Airbnb as a prime example of how sharing is creating a revolutionary economy.
Great, but What about Events?
Very few people know that you can search for unique event venues on Airbnb.
Thanks to @carmenhere‘s tip, I noticed a nifty little feature of their advanced search.
If you input the date of your event and 16+ people as the number of guests (depending on your event size), you’ll then be able to sort the istings according to “Amenities”.
Here is where the fun starts. Look at the picture below:
You can sort accommodations suitable for events. A whole new world opportunities unfolded.
Airbnb has a mission to list unique spaces. This is what event planners a re usually looking for. If you, like me, are bored of the same old venues and want to surprise your guests, you may give it a try.
Don’t believe me? Here are 10 amazing venues I selected for you around the world:
1.Greek Island – Delenia, Aegean Sea, Greece
A 6 building complex overlooking the sea with amazing outside areas. Let me quote “…two al fresco dining areas, plus a stone barbeque and traditional Greek bread oven; tennis and basketball courts; an outdoor four-poster bed; a Hammam (Turkish steam room); outdoor Jacuzzi; and, of course, the sea water swimming pool.”
2. Seattle. Union/Pine
5k square feet of contemporary metro style. If you rent also the bedroom you get free Netflix, which is kind of a deal maker 🙂
3. Belgium. La Classe.
The decor of this villa is simply stunning. Looks like a perfect solution for meetings.
4. Spain. Clos la Plana.
A traditional Spanish setting with 10 hectares of countryside for your convenience.
5. Berlin. Residence at the Pariser Platz.
This is a stunning apartment in the heart of Berlin. A more traditional event space with great decor and elegance.
6. Tuscany. Villa in Florence.
Being Italian I can safely say it does not get any better than this villa. Princess Diana and Prince Charles spent some time in this amazing villa as well as many other celebrities.
7. London. Westminster Central Hall.
If you are an event planner in London, you don’t need Airbnb to know about this venue. Interesting though how they listed themselves on it.
8. Manhattan. Gramercy Park.
A three levels house in NYC, ideal for exclusive parties and cool gatherings.
9. Mexico. Puerto Vallarta.
Get your own beachfront Hacienda style villa. This is a terrific space.
10. Italy. Palazzo Cavarjal Simoncelli
It’s kind of tough to beat Italy when it gets to historical venues. This is a palace from the XVI Century in Orvieto, a lively town in between Rome and Florence.
In Conclusion
Searching for event venues on Airbnb has been quite an illuminating process for at least 3 reasons:
– I foresee more venues posting their space on it
– I hope Airbnb will launch an event section. It is an amazingly serendipitous process.
– Incentives, corporate events, team building planners now have a new resource to search for inspiration.
Smashing!
