Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate

Host, Save, Travel: Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb

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From the moment, I stepped foot in Shell’s Loft, I knew we were going to be friends. The curly-haired Airbnb host immediately embraced me like we’d known each other for years, and it didn’t take five minutes before we started swapping travel tales and found a mutual love in South Africa.

Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate

To be honest, despite my years of using Airbnb as a guest, this was a first for me: I’d never stayed in a rental while the owner was there. But in New York, it’s policy: Hosts can rent out rooms in a shared space, but they must live in that space themselves.

Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate

Shell’s was the Rolls Royce of Airbnb spaces; it came complete with a chef who prepared most of our meals for us (an add-on guests can opt to do). Shell and I got on like a house on fire; I learned that she started renting her massive 4,000-square-foot space in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill as a way to subsidize her art. New York’s ever-rising rents often run the creatives out of town—had I not moved to San Francisco in 2008 to live with SVV, I have no doubt I would have been a victim myself—and I love that she is able to run a steady business as an artist in New York and Cape Town and indulge her inner hostess.

Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate

When available, Shell rents out the four bedrooms to individuals—she’s particularly popular with the European crowd, she shared—but also rents the space as a whole to corporate retreats and workshops such as our little group of Click! bloggers. A bonus: She sells her gorgeous pillows, textiles and other wares right out of her own loft. Given that I was hopping a plane at the end of my stay to head to the UK, I didn’t buy anything, but I fully intend to do a little shopping on her online store.

Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate
Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolatet

Shell isn’t the only person I’ve known who’s caught the hosting bug. My friend Nicole rents out the extra room in her adorable lofted space in Bushwick, which comes complete with a cute dog. I stayed in her spare bedroom nook on my first night in New York last month, and it was just about the coziest, most comfortable place I have slept in ages.

Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate

Nicole is a filmmaker who isn’t in the apartment much at all, and the ability to rent out her spare room allows her the flexibility of having a nice place to come home to after long shoots—without having to pay the hefty price. She and her landlord have a good deal going where he knows she rents out her spare bedroom, and in turn, she takes care of the apartment, making all the upgrades and renovations she wants to keep it nice and also an attractive option for guests.

Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate
Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate

A number of my Nashville circle have used Airbnb to get through job transitions and monetary slumps, particularly as we live in a city with a lot of demand and very few affordable hotels. Still, other friends have gotten addicted after realizing they can break even on their mortgage each month—and sometimes even make money—by putting up their house for rent a couple weekends a month.

Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate

The personalized touches of each Airbnb place I’ve stayed in are always what I really love; I’m definitely someone who pays attention to aesthetics, and the nosy journalist in me—not to mention the home renovator—loves seeing what other people do with their spaces to make them unique.

Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate
Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate

For those of you who have never before rented an Airbnb—as a guest or a host—it’s important to note that any homeowner or landlord can opt to host, and you don’t have to commit to a certain amount of time. For example, if you only want to rent your place out on the weekends you’re gone or each Christmas and summer while you’re out on vacation, you can do just that. If you want to open up your calendar indefinitely, you can do that, as well. If you only want to rent out a spare bedroom with a shared bath, that’s totally fine, too. The possibilities are endless, really.

Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate

It’s easy and free to sign up for an Airbnb profile and get verified as a host; all it takes is a few minutes—though I recommend using Airbnb’s complimentary, professional photography services to make your listing as attractive as possible to future guests. Want more best practices on hosting? You’re in luck; I wrote this post just for you.

Host, Save, Travel: Why you should become an Airbnb host | Camels & Chocolate

Being back in the city for a brief 72 hours made me realize how much I truly missed it. But cheap Southwest airfare and a growing number of affordable Airbnb listings across the boroughs of NYC means hopefully I won’t stay away for quite so long next time.
NYC Airbnb Wishlist: Affordable listings in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens

And had I stayed in Manhattan, there’s no doubt in my mind I would have become a host alongside the rest of my friends. Maybe in my second life.

This post is in partnership with Airbnb. A big thanks to one of my favorite travel brands for sending me up to New York for Click! Retreat. I had the best time!

COMMENTS
  • November 7, 2015

    I’ve never tried Airbnb before… I’ve heard so many great stories about it though and seeing your photos makes me even more keen to try it out one day!

    • November 9, 2015

      Same here Dominique. Everyone I know has tried them apart from me 🙁 – But it’s always difficult if you are a solo travelling female. I will have to be brave and fully check the reviews before I take the leap.

      • November 9, 2015

        I totally get the hesitation being a part-time, solo female traveler myself. Reviews are critical in this shared economy, and I would highly suggest you pick your first stay based on one that is a Superhost and has a lot of positive feedback. Similarly, a place like Shell’s—which is essentially like a hostel with communal spaces, only much, much nicer—would be a great option as she lives there and you’d meet other travelers since she has four different bedrooms she rents out at any one time.

      • November 18, 2015

        You gave me idea about solo female travelers when it comes to this Jane. I agree, a great review about the place is a must. Thanks!

  • November 7, 2015

    Wow that’s the most beautiful apartment I’ve EVER seen!

    • November 9, 2015

      Right? How much would you have loved to live there while in NYC! Meanwhile, I was paying $1200/month for a “bedroom” (tiny space with converted walls) in a 600-square-foot space that I shared with two others in Hell’s Kitchen. You remember it, I’m sure 😉

  • November 11, 2015

    I’m a great fan of AirBnB, I regularly visit the site whenever I have plan to travel. Apartments are accommodating and amnesties are good also.

    • November 11, 2015

      That’s how I feel, Sharmaine! I spend ages finding the perfect one before I travel and have yet to be disappointed. Love staying in a neighborhood outside of the tourist hubs!

  • November 11, 2015

    it’s a pain in the butt to host in san francisco if you want to follow all the rules/regulations of the city. you’d think it would be resolved since airbnb is based in SF, but it isn’t the case. :/ still, i’m going to try listing our spare bedroom once we clean it up!

    • November 15, 2015

      Yeah, I’m not that surprised having been a former San Franciscan and knowing how difficult it is to do anything there! Good luck, though; I’m sure it’s worth it in the end (particularly if you can offset your rent!!).

  • November 15, 2015

    We love Airbnb, but have never tried staying with a host before! It sounds like you had a great experience.

    • November 15, 2015

      You should try it! Definitely a new way to experience a place (reminded me a lot of CouchSurfing, which I did for years in my earl 20’s).

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