INSIDER
Prince fans can party overnight like it's 1999 with Airbnb rental of 'Purple Rain' house
Read full article: Prince fans can party overnight like it's 1999 with Airbnb rental of 'Purple Rain' houseA few Prince fans visiting the superstar's hometown of Minneapolis may be lucky to stay at a place that will let them go crazy over his cultural legacy.
Airbnb's second-quarter profit fell 15% despite its revenue rising 11% on stronger bookings
Read full article: Airbnb's second-quarter profit fell 15% despite its revenue rising 11% on stronger bookingsAirbnb says its profit fell 15% in the second quarter from a year earlier, as higher income taxes cut into the short-term rental giant’s bottom line even as bookings and revenue rose.
Airbnb shares slide on lower revenue forecast despite a doubling of net income
Read full article: Airbnb shares slide on lower revenue forecast despite a doubling of net incomeAirbnb's profit more than doubled last quarter, but management's disappointing revenue forecast sparked a roughly 7% drop in its stock in after-market trading.
Want to spend the night in a Paris museum or a house owned by Prince? Airbnb plans to list them
Read full article: Want to spend the night in a Paris museum or a house owned by Prince? Airbnb plans to list themAirbnb says it's going to give customers a chance at overnight stays in a Paris museum, a bedroom filled with Ferrari racing cars, and other exotic settings.
Airbnb is banning the use of indoor security cameras in the platform's listings worldwide
Read full article: Airbnb is banning the use of indoor security cameras in the platform's listings worldwideAirbnb says it’s banning the use of indoor security cameras in listings on its site around the world by the end of next month.
Airbnb agrees to pay $621 million to settle a tax dispute in Italy
Read full article: Airbnb agrees to pay $621 million to settle a tax dispute in ItalyShort-term rental platform Airbnb has agreed to pay 576 million euros ($621 million) to settle a years-long dispute over unpaid taxes in Italy but won’t try to recover the money from its hosts.
There's too much guesswork in renting an Airbnb. The short-term rental giant is trying to fix that
Read full article: There's too much guesswork in renting an Airbnb. The short-term rental giant is trying to fix thatAirbnb says the biggest reason it loses some bookings to hotels is that people never know exactly what their Airbnb rental will look like until they check in.
Hill Country man who secretly recorded guests sentenced to one year in jail
Read full article: Hill Country man who secretly recorded guests sentenced to one year in jailA Hill Country property owner who used a hidden camera to secretly record guests in various states of undress inside his rental cabin was sentenced to one year in jail Friday in Kendall County District Court.
Nursing student, 20, dies in Cancun after falling off balcony at AirBnb, reports say
Read full article: Nursing student, 20, dies in Cancun after falling off balcony at AirBnb, reports sayA 20-year-old nursing student from Massachusetts died earlier this month after slipping off the balcony of an Airbnb in Cancun.
Living out a childhood fantasy: Guests to enjoy overnight stay on iconic boat from children’s series
Read full article: Living out a childhood fantasy: Guests to enjoy overnight stay on iconic boat from children’s seriesTheodore TOO, currently stationed in Hamilton, Ontario, will be open for Airbnb stays on Saturday and Sunday.
Man stabbed, killed mother at Airbnb; occupant said he rattled doorknob to her room, SAPD says
Read full article: Man stabbed, killed mother at Airbnb; occupant said he rattled doorknob to her room, SAPD saysA man who checked into an Airbnb with his mother has been charged with killing her, according to San Antonio police.
Obama, Airbnb's Brian Chesky launch $100M in scholarships
Read full article: Obama, Airbnb's Brian Chesky launch $100M in scholarshipsThe co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, has donated $100 million to the Obama Foundation to fund scholarships for students pursuing careers in public service and includes multiple stipends for travel.
Kamala Harris art, 'Daily Show' lead Anthem Awards finalists
Read full article: Kamala Harris art, 'Daily Show' lead Anthem Awards finalistsAn art installation inspired by Vice President Kamala Harris, The New York Times’ “The 1619 Project” and “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” as well as charitable programs from Airbnb, Google, PayPal and the National Football League, are among the finalists for the inaugural Anthem Awards announced Tuesday.
I stayed at a ‘haunted’ Airbnb for two nights and this is what happened
Read full article: I stayed at a ‘haunted’ Airbnb for two nights and this is what happenedTo some, staying in a haunted hotel or Airbnb is a bucket list experience, but when I found out my friends booked an Airbnb in a building that used to be a psychiatric hospital, all I could think was that some ghosts were going to visit me at night.
Airbnb reports 1Q loss of nearly $1.2 billion, revenue rises
Read full article: Airbnb reports 1Q loss of nearly $1.2 billion, revenue risesAirbnb says it lost nearly $1.2 billion in the first quarter, about three times as much as it lost a year ago, as travel remains depressed because of the pandemic.
Hollywood actress lists Canyon Lake Airbnb rental as one of her top wishlist destinations
Read full article: Hollywood actress lists Canyon Lake Airbnb rental as one of her top wishlist destinationsAn Airbnb listing in Canyon Lake, known as the Skyhouse, is a on the travel wishlist of write, director and actress Mindy Kaling.
Airbnb reports huge loss in first time out as public company
Read full article: Airbnb reports huge loss in first time out as public companyHome-sharing site Airbnb posted a $3.9 billion loss in the fourth quarter of 2020 as it suffered from the pandemic downturn in travel and recorded one-time costs for becoming a public company. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)Home-sharing site Airbnb posted a $3.9 billion loss in the fourth quarter of 2020 as it suffered from the pandemic downturn in travel and recorded one-time costs for becoming a public company. In results released Thursday — Airbnb's first as a publicly traded entity — the company took a charge of $2.8 billion for stock compensation related to the IPO. The company did say revenue will not decline as much in the current quarter as it did in the fourth quarter of last year. Since the start of the pandemic, Airbnb has shifted its focus to beach towns and mountain destinations — outdoorsy places where the risk of contracting the coronavirus is perceived to be lower.
This ‘Saved by the Bell’ themed Airbnb in Dallas will make you feel like a 90′s kid
Read full article: This ‘Saved by the Bell’ themed Airbnb in Dallas will make you feel like a 90′s kidDALLAS, Texas – Break out your fanny packs, acid-wash jeans and hair scrunchies because this “Saved by the Bell”-themed Airbnb in Dallas will transport you back to the 90′s. The Slater house can be rented on Airbnb and can accommodate up to five guests with four bedrooms and one bathroom, according to the listing. Just below it is an 80′s-themed Airbnb called, “The Mcfly,” which is separate from The Slater, and is private. AdThe space is decorated with bright-colored furniture, a room modeled just like a booth at The Max, 90′s themed figurines and of course, some “Saved by the Bell” episodes on VHS. To book your stay, visit its Airbnb listing here.
Airbnb to block, cancel DC bookings ahead of inauguration
Read full article: Airbnb to block, cancel DC bookings ahead of inaugurationAirbnb says it will be blocking and cancelling reservations in the Washington, D.C. area during the week of the presidential inauguration. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)NEW YORK – Airbnb says it will be blocking and cancelling all reservations in the Washington, D.C. area during the week of the presidential inauguration. The decision, announced Wednesday, was in response to various local, state and federal officials asking people not to travel to Washington, D.C. But over Presidents' Day weekend, the site lists more than 300 rentals in the Washington, D.C. area. Meanwhile, Marriott International said Wednesday that its hotels in the Washington, D.C. area will remain open leading up to and through the inauguration.
Travel website offering chance to win free Airbnb stay, cash to completely unplug for 72 hours
Read full article: Travel website offering chance to win free Airbnb stay, cash to completely unplug for 72 hoursA secluded mini-vacation with the chance to win a little cash sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Well, travel site Trips to Discover is hosting a contest where you can win just that - a three-night stay in a secluded Airbnb of your choosing with a $200 stipend for gas and the chance to win an additional $200 if you manage to stay off all screens completely. That means no TV or digital devices of any kind for a full 72 hours if you’re up to the challenge. According to Trips to Discover, the winner will get to choose a top-rate Airbnb location of their choice that is within driving distance of their home. Full terms and conditions for the 2021 Refresh Challenge are listed on the Trips To Discover website.
Airbnb banning rioters, hate groups ahead of inauguration
Read full article: Airbnb banning rioters, hate groups ahead of inaugurationAirbnb said Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, that its reviewing reservations in the Washington, D.C., area ahead of the upcoming presidential inauguration and will bar any guests associated with hate groups or violent activity. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)Airbnb said Monday that it’s reviewing reservations in the Washington, D.C., area ahead of next week’s presidential inauguration and will bar any guests associated with hate groups or violent activity. Airbnb said it will warn all guests in the Washington region that it may bring legal action against them if they are members of hate groups or if they plan violent activities. Airbnb said it’s also banning from its platform anyone who engaged in criminal activity in last week’s riot at the U.S. Capitol. Democratic President-elect Joe Biden was the biggest recipient of Airbnb donations.
‘The building shook’: Houston family recounts surviving Nashville explosion
Read full article: ‘The building shook’: Houston family recounts surviving Nashville explosionNASHVILLE, Tenn. – A Houston family is counting their blessings after surviving the Christmas Day explosion in Nashville. The family had rented an Airbnb, which was located just a half-block from where the explosion happened. Garza said the building that housed her family began to shake from the impact. We heard a loud, loud, loud explosion.”The window near the bed where Garza and her husband were sleeping popped out of the frame as well. The family said they hope to revisit the Airbnb to gather some of their belongings after the curfew for downtown Nashville ends Sunday night.
Asian stocks mixed after Wall St falls on virus pressure
Read full article: Asian stocks mixed after Wall St falls on virus pressureA woman wearing a face mask walks past a bank's electronic board showing the Hong Kong share index in Hong Kong, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. Asian stock markets were mixed Friday after Wall Street sank following signs damage to the U.S. economy from the coronavirus is worsening while Congress is deadlocked over possible new aid. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)Asian stock markets were mixed Friday after Wall Street sank following signs damage to the U.S. economy from the coronavirus is worsening while Congress is deadlocked over possible new aid. Shanghai and Tokyo retreated while Hong Kong and Seoul gained. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong advanced 0.4% to 26.524.01.
Airbnb prices shares at $68 ahead of Thursday IPO
Read full article: Airbnb prices shares at $68 ahead of Thursday IPOThirteen years after its founders first rented air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment, Airbnb is making its long-awaited stock market debut. Airbnb had initially set a price range of $44 to $50 for it shares, but raised that to a range of $56 to $60 earlier this week, indicating rising investor demand. Airbnb’s listing comes a day after another San Francisco-based company, DoorDash, soared through its initial public offering. Its stock jumped 85.8% to close at $189.51 after the company priced shares at $102 each, raising $3.4 billion with its offering. Airbnb initially planned its IPO for the spring but shelved it when the pandemic ground global travel to a halt.
Blockbuster IPO market still calls for cautious approach
Read full article: Blockbuster IPO market still calls for cautious approachThe home sharing company raised $3.7 billion in the offering, making it the largest IPO of the year, according to Renaissance Capital. “This year had a lot of large IPOs,” said Matthew Kennedy, senior IPO market strategist at Renaissance Capital. Some 19 company IPOs have brought in over a billion dollars, including DoorDash and Airbnb. Still, individual investors may want to consider waiting a few days after a company has its IPO, if not longer. The Renaissance IPO ETF, which tracks an index that holds companies that have had an IPO within the last two years, giving more weight to bigger ones, is up 108% this year.
Blockbuster IPO market still calls for cautious approach
Read full article: Blockbuster IPO market still calls for cautious approachDoorDash shares surged nearly 86% above their offering price of $102 in their market debut Wednesday. Airbnb’s own market debut on Thursday could end up blowing past that. “This year had a lot of large IPOs,” said Matthew Kennedy, senior IPO market strategist at Renaissance Capital. Airbnb put off a market debut in the spring when the pandemic crippled global travel. Uber, which raised $8.1 billion in its market debut last year, has yet to get out of the red.
DoorDash delivers 86% gain in stock market debut
Read full article: DoorDash delivers 86% gain in stock market debutDoorDash shares soared in its initial public offering Wednesday, capping a year of explosive growth for the food delivery company. Powering that service are 1 million delivery drivers, who are independent and not considered DoorDash employees. But lockdown orders and the closure of indoor dining have made DoorDash indispensable for many restaurants and diners this year. DoorDash now controls 50% of the U.S. food delivery market. Skeptics thought the economics of food delivery would fall apart in less dense areas, because there was lower demand.
Airbnb hikes share price ahead of expected IPO this week
Read full article: Airbnb hikes share price ahead of expected IPO this weekAirbnb has raised the price of its shares ahead of its initial public offering this week, betting investors will pay more given its resiliency during the pandemic. In a government filing Monday, Airbnb said it expects to price its shares between $56 and $60 each, up from a range of $44 to $50 earlier this month. Airbnb is expected to issue a final share price late Wednesday ahead of its Thursday IPO on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The new price would let the San Francisco-based home sharing company raise up to $3.4 billion in the offering. Airbnb has more than 7 million listings on its platform, run by 4 million hosts worldwide.
Airbnb hopes to raise up to $2.6B in mid-December IPO
Read full article: Airbnb hopes to raise up to $2.6B in mid-December IPOAirbnb hopes to raise as much as $2.6 billion in its initial public stock offering this month, betting investors will see its home-sharing model as the future of travel. It’s a remarkable comeback for the company that delayed its IPO when the coronavirus pandemic crippled global travel in the spring. Airbnb has more than 7 million listings on its platform, run by 4 million hosts worldwide. But Airbnb has recovered more quickly than traditional hotels as travelers seek whole homes in rural areas far from crowds. Airbnb said it also expects more business people will book vacation rentals, since many can now work from home.
Airbnb details years of losses ahead of planned IPO
Read full article: Airbnb details years of losses ahead of planned IPOThe San Francisco-based company has yet to set a date for the IPO but it is laying the groundwork by filing financial records with U.S. securities regulators. Its revenue jumped 32% to $4.8 billion in 2019, but it reported a net loss of $674 million that year. Airbnb said it currently has 7.4 million listings run by 4 million hosts worldwide. Earlier this year, hosts were infuriated when Airbnb allowed guests to cancel and get full refunds amid the pandemic. Airbnb later promised $250 million to hosts to make up the shortfall.
Looking for love? ‘The Bachelor’ mansion is now up for rent on Airbnb
Read full article: Looking for love? ‘The Bachelor’ mansion is now up for rent on AirbnbCalling all fans of the hit show, “The Bachelor" — whether you’re looking for love or a luxurious getaway, the show’s mansion is now available for rent on Airbnb. The mansion, also known as the Villa de la Vina, resides in the Santa Monica Mountains of Malibu, California, and can house up to 13 guests. The villa has seven bedrooms, seven bathrooms and eight and a half baths. "The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb. "The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb.
Airbnb requires hosts to commit to enhanced cleaning
Read full article: Airbnb requires hosts to commit to enhanced cleaningAirbnb said Thursday it will require hosts to comply with enhanced cleaning procedures as part of its effort to reassure guests and local officials during the coronavirus pandemic. Hosts in China are exempt because have their own local cleaning program, the company said. Airbnb is no longer requiring hosts to leave their rentals vacant for at least 24 hours between guests, as it did in April. San Francisco-based Airbnb said nearly 1.5 million listings have signed on to the enhanced cleaning standards since they were introduced in June. The company has also been removing party houses from its platform after a shooting last year at an unauthorized Halloween party in California.
Airbnb blocking some rentals over Halloween to halt parties
Read full article: Airbnb blocking some rentals over Halloween to halt partiesAirbnb will prohibit one-night rentals over Halloween weekend as part of its ongoing effort to crack down on party houses. Five people were killed in the shooting, which happened during an unauthorized Halloween party. San Francisco-based Airbnb said it will ban one-night rentals of entire homes in the U.S. and Canada on Oct. 30 or Oct. 31. Previously booked one-night rentals will be canceled and Airbnb will offer refunds. And in August, Airbnb banned parties worldwide and limited occupancy at its rentals to 16 people.
Treehouse in Fredericksburg is one of top wish-listed destinations for Airbnb travelers
Read full article: Treehouse in Fredericksburg is one of top wish-listed destinations for Airbnb travelersFREDERICKSBURG, Texas – Airbnb has released a list of the top travel destinations for travelers and some of the most unique, wish-listed locations people are looking to stay. One of the locations that’s been added as a top wish list stay for Airbnb is a treehouse in Fredericksburg, listed on the website as Live Oak Treehouse at HoneyTree Farm. According to Airbnb officials, travelers are looking to get out of the city for fall trips. The top destinations in the U.S. for fall are:Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaBig Bear Lake, CaliforniaLake Havasu City, ArizonaCharleston, South CarolinaScranton, PennsylvaniaWilmington, North CarolinaPalm Springs, CaliforniaOrange Beach, AlabamaPigeon Forge, TennesseeFredericksburg, TexasAirbinb officials said travelers are booking vacations within 300 miles of their origin. The methodology used to determine these statistics were based on searches from Aug. 1-23, 2020.
You can stay in Bella Swan's house from 'Twilight' movies thanks to Airbnb
Read full article: You can stay in Bella Swan's house from 'Twilight' movies thanks to AirbnbThe house Bella Swan lived in before Edward Cullen turned her into his vampire bride in the movies is now available to rent on Airbnb for just $330 a night. You can even rehash the age-old debate of Team Jacob or Team Edward by deciding if you're going to stay in the Team Edward room or Team Jacob room. Considering the room has a Jacob cardboard cutout, it's safe to assume the owners of the house are Team Jacob. The reviews of the rental are absolutely stellar, with many "Twilight" fans praising just how fun it was to stay the night at the Swan house. You can see the full Airbnb listing (including some photos of the house) by clicking here.