I've been traveling continuously for the past 2 years now and have had a PLETHORA of AirBnB experiences. If there was such a thing, I might be eligible to be a "SuperGUEST". On the surface, this feels like a good move by AirBnB. Largely because it can be a painstaking detective investigation to get at the truth of what some hosts are offering.
I've stayed in what was listed as a 'studio' but was simply a MULTI room residence, rented to SEPARATE guests, that had access to a "shared" kitchen and bath. I've also rented a room thinking it was in a multi-room "residence", only to discover it was a standard "HOSTEL" using the AirBnB platform. I've rented what I thought was a room where I'd be staying WITH a local in their HOME, only to find out it was basically just "student housing" (with one student who nearly burnt us down by leaving her pot on the lit burner while she hurried off to class). By FAR my most rewarding rentals have been with individuals who offer a CULTURAL EXCHANGE. That to me IS the fundamental model of AirBnB, and I've had some AMAZING experiences with such hosts, some of whom I am still in contact with.
Over time I have gotten better at spotting the professional 'hoteliers' from the 'hosts'. One of the first things I do is look at HOW MANY properties they are offering. (Whenever I introduce someone new to AirBnB I advise them to do the same). Not individual listings necessarily, because ONE property can have multiple rooms. But that also tells me that I will be sharing with others, which brings its own set of challenges (like how would you prove another guest left a huge mess or did some damage to a common area and not you?).
The next thing I do is CONTACT the host and ask all my remaining questions!!
So I can’t guess what AirBnB’s motivation is for reducing this trend toward more and more properties being listed by "professional hoteliers", absentee hosts, and long distance investors, but I am glad that there’s some movement towards restricting that. (I sense it might have a little something to do with some recent backlash from locals who are being priced out of housing by this trend toward short term vacation rentals that can fetch far more than they can afford to pay).
I do agree with the idea of making room for different offerings on this platform and different ways for industrious hosts to prosper. But speaking as a customer, it would be great if those offerings were CLEARLY DELINEATED.
