Fees, Fees and more fees!!!

[Ed-and-Debbie0]

With the addition of "service fees" charged by Air BnB to the amount charged by the host, Air BNB is pricing themselves out of the market.  Some hosts even charge a cleaning fee of $25. or so You don't think you can clean a room and wash some sheets and towels inclusive in the regular room rate?  in addition to a service fee of 12 to 16% and then tax, even a modest home will now be costing in the range of $100. or more.  To add one more incumberance, many host are requiring a minimum of two or three nights.  Travelers are TRAVELING!  They don't want to vacation at your house!  This was susposed to be an inexpensive way for travelers to find a safe place to lay their head for the night and for the host to make a few dollars.  However, on a recent 3 week trip to Maine from Florida, I was not able to find ANY competively priced Air BNB homes so I settled for hotels and motels ranging from $50. to $100.  WITH breakfast!  Air BnB and host of Air Bnb you are losing your market share very rapidly.  Time to go back to what you are susposed to be.

[Marco65]

I honestly disagree with this reasoning. The traveler must remember that the owner pays: light, gas, electricity, condominium costs, possibly even a subscription to some television streaming, the cleaning is added because someone is taking the time to let the traveler find a clean and tidy bed, sheets ironed and a clean and comfortable bathroom and time is money for everyone. In general, an apartment is always cheaper than a hotel, if staying in a hotel I cannot prepare lunch and dinner and I am forced to eat every day at the restaurant and this is not healthy and is also expensive. In the end I can say, taxes, taxes and even more taxes but an apartment is always cheaper if you have a 360 degree view.

[Fred13]

Perhaps, it would be theoretically best to not be listed separately, but included in the base price. But how can that be done logically; someone staying 2 days vs. 7 days will 'cost' in cleaning two different figures, Also the fact others do not follow the same practice, then including the cleaning fee (in any manner) in the base price can make one 'look' more expensive.