A friend wants to start airbnb, but wonders if it's possible to do something sort of specific...

[Jennie44]

He has two bedrooms in his 1880 Queen Anne that he would like to rent out. There is no private bathroom, so each would share the bathroom upstairs with the home owner, so his thought was: one of the bedrooms is the bigger of the two, so he could rent that one out and then if the person in that room was travelling with a second person who needed a bed, the second room could be available. But he figured that two strangers wouldn't be cool with juggling the bathroom, so would rent only to two people traveling together who weren't sharing a bed. I have NO idea how to do that, or even if you could: I had thought that I'd seen a listing near me that did something similar, but it's apparently not being rented or is long term unavailable right now. Any ideas? I told him it just sounded like a situation that would be impossible to describe or police in a listing, but he still wondered if anyone would have any ideas. Thaks in advance.

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

@Jennie44 - What he wants to do is set up his listing as a 2-bedroom with a max of 2 people.  That way if they both sleep in the same room - cool, less linen to wash - otherwise there are 2 beds for people traveling together who don't want to sleep together (like parent/child or siblings or co-workers).  Then he will never have to share the bathroom with more than 2 people and they would not be strangers to each other.  

[Jennie44]

Thank you: That's what I told them, but for some reason it just isn't "clicking" with them.  we'll have this conversation again soon, I know, so I'll tell them the hive mind agrees! 🙂

[Jennie44]

I think one issue is the size of the beds: they are vintage with custom mattresses, and they are smaller than our modern full sized beds. They don't think two people could sleep comfrtably in either, though they are for sure bigger than twin beds--so they don;'t want to advertise them as single beds or twin beds, because most folks who are adult sized want more room. 

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

@Jennie44 - they are overthinking it.  My husband and I could easily sleep in a  small Full but we know others who could not.  They just need to be clear and descriptive including in the "limited amenities section" which willalllow them to  say very clearly how much "smaller" their period-appropriate mattresses will be in relation to current sizes.  The guest must agree to the full frame  being 2" smaller. 

[Jennie44]

Yeah: That sounds like them! Thanks!

[Sarah977]

@Jennie44  I'd also suggest they NOT use Instant Book, for one thing because they will be new hosts and it's good to learn the ropes before being inundated with instant bookings from people who may or may not have bothered to thoroughly read the listing description. When guests have to request to book, the host then has the opportunity to make sure the guest understands things like the size of the beds and the 2 bedroom option.

[Jennie44]

oh, good point, yes. I use Instant Book, and it's crazy how many people don't read the description before booking.