The company, AIRBNB, is very popular covering 81,000 cities and 191 countries, allowing travellers and hosts to connect all over the world.
Would you stay in an Airbnb?
My husband and I choose to house sit instead of searching for accommodations through companies such as AIRBNB which is basically a service where members can offer homestays or tourism experiences. If you own real estate, have space, and looking for ways to supplement your income, this might be something for you to consider. For us, we prefer house-sitting for free in exchange for looking after owners’ homes and pets. It has been a rewarding experience for us.
I do remember one occasion when we did book an Airbnb in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua, however, we did not go through with it. We had to go back home to Canada due to a family crisis and requested our money back. AIRBNB has a policy whereby if you have extenuating circumstances you can request your money back. They immediately refunded their portion but the owner didn’t. I contacted him directly, explained the circumstances, and he said no problem, he understood. However, after three attempts to get our money back, we finally gave up.
Friends Who Own Airbnbs
I have a few friends who are starting the process or already running a very successful Airbnb. Let me tell you a little about each and what makes them special.
Airbnb 1 – Henley’s Dream, Port Dalhousie, St. Catharines Ontario
Our friends, Tom and Liza, have owned an Airbnb in Port Dalhousie, St. Catharines Ontario for several years. We were lucky to stay at their place during a house sit so we got to experience their place firsthand.
Their home is a bungalow and the accommodations are downstairs where there are two bedrooms with two twin beds in one and a double in the other, a full bath with shower, a large recreational area with sofas and HDTV, a little work area for your computer, fully carpeted. They have a beautiful, inviting backyard. At the time of our visit, the hedge was covered in blossoms!
They consistently receive 5-star ratings which are partly attributed to their personal care and attention to detail.
In addition to the features of the Airbnb itself, which include separate access, cleanliness and comfort, breakfast in the morning, its proximity to shops and restaurants and their location which is close to Niagara on the Lake and Niagara Falls, Tom and Liza are described as friendly Super Hosts (a Super host is someone who has achieved 5 Star Ratings by 90% or more of guests). Their main goal is your comfort while you are in your home away from home.
Although there are no kitchen/cooking facilities, they make up for this by providing breakfast.
What guests say about them and their stay:
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Henley’s Dream is a warm and comfortable home away from home.
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Great easy-going hosts. Fantastic clean place.
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I rarely write reviews but Thomas’s Henley House is everything and more than you could hope for in an AIRBNB location and host.
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What a great experience – especially for business travellers, or those with kids.
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Where to begin?! Henley’s Dream feels like a home away from home! It is clean, and full of thoughtful amenities to make someone’s stay extra special.
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Hands down an absolute gem.
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Thomas and Liza deserve the title of Super Hosts!
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Excellent stay, cannot fault anything and will likely return.
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Liza and Tom’s place is a hidden gem among all the listings; Port Dalhousie is also a hidden gem, so perfect for a weekend escape from city life.
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Great place. Tom and Liza are incredibly thoughtful and kind, couldn’t recommend them more!
Airbnb 2 – Jane’s Place, Don Mills, Toronto
Jane and Pete are an exceptional couple and we feel privileged to have known them for several years. In fact, my husband has known Pete since they were kids in school. With a background in information technology, Pete has taken a departure from this and has embraced the idea of an Airbnb wholeheartedly.
Before they started Airbnb, they dabbled in renting. When their last renters turned out to be the “renters from H#$!” they decided that was it. At the same time, a neighbour suggested AIRBNB.
Although he and Jane have only operated their Airbnb for just a year, they already have forty 5-star ratings.
What guests say about them and their stay:
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Amazing, spa environment, thoughtful hosts, and exceptional.
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A fantastic place. Great location.
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Our flight was delayed and we ended up getting to the place pretty late. To our surprise, there were welcome cookies that made our night since it was too late to stop for dinner.
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Beautiful space, with two very comfortable bedrooms and beds, super clean, amazing thoughtful touches.
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Jane is the best host anyone could ever ask for.
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If I could give Jane’s place a 10 out of 5, I definitely would.
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I had a wonderful time staying at Jane’s. Best Airbnb I have stayed at in TO.
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The kitchen was well stocked with the amenities we needed to make breakfast meals.
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It makes me feel like in a 5-star hotel.
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This was the nicest Airbnb that I have ever stayed in.
Jane and Pete have recently added a Brondell heated toilet seat, large leather sofa and vintage Barcelona chair.
Accommodations are reasonably priced for this area in Toronto.