Airbnb ‘Select’ Will Offer Hotel-Level Amenities, Fewer Creepy Hosts

Leave your review here

June 28, 2017 9:00 am

Dedicated Airbnb users know that there are plenty of high-end listings on the site, if you sort through enough shared rooms. “Sorting through,” though, is a distinctly hoi polloi-style activity — and Airbnb knows that high-spending travelers want to do as little of it as possible. Ergo Airbnb’s high-end version of itself, purportedly coming soon to an internet browser near you. 

According to Bloomberg, the company is “expected to launch as a pilot with a select group of hosts.” Each property elevated to the program, currently called Select, would be individually chosen, inspected and photographed; the hosts of those properties would be expected to offer hotel-level amenities.

Unsurprisingly, this is part of a company-wide effort to bolster ammunition against hoteliers for travelers who like Airbnb’s variety and flexibility — one of Airbnb’s biggest strengths is users’ ability to choose, say, that specific block over “downtown” — but want the peace of mind of a hotel. Guaranteeing concierge-level service could convince high-spending guests to trade a couple nights at the Four Seasons for a luxe private apartment. 

This sounds to us like great news for guests with appropriate resources, and for hosts who don’t mind meeting the raised expectations Select is sure to promote. 

MEET US AT YOUR INBOX. FIRST ROUND'S ON US.

Join America's Fastest Growing Spirits Newsletter THE SPILL. Unlock all the reviews, recipes and revelry — and get 15% off award-winning La Tierra de Acre Mezcal.