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Create your own short term accommodation flatform, what elements would you add ? (pretend you have lots of money )

Here are mine from a host situation

  1. I like the intranet of booking.com, its simple to use and it gives very good insights.
  2. I like the review process from Airbnb, you can respond to all guests once they review you.
  3. I like Expedia has an app that picks up all major events in your city/area.
  4. I like if we could get sms messages to our phone regarding all reservations.
  5. All guests have to give an arrival time or the booking won't go through.
  6. Guests who are rude, disruptive should be as to be moved, and host does not have to pay the cost of relocation.
  7. If you are a bold guest, you are off after 3 bad reviews
  8. Airbnb have really good customer service, they say thank you for being a superhost for 3 years, we appreciate that, ok so they are told to say that but its nice.
  9. A clear set of rules so that hosts and representatives are on the same wave length.
  10. If you are a good host and a good ambassador, you should get a reward, Airbnb gives you vouchers, which are good.
  11. Airbnb have free photographers that go to your home and take pictures, great service but not available everywhere.
  12. A site that is not a blank template but you are allowed to describe your own description.

For guests :

  1. A small video of the property to support the photographs.
  2. A clear definition of your property type, I get called a hotel all the time/
  3. Expedia have a button you click if you are doing any work in the house in case the guest wants peace and quiet
  4. Speed of wifi should be listed
  5. If children are staying, vetting of staff, document to proof all staff are vetted by the local police force, especially for small property where you share all amenities.
  6. Disclose you bed type, I went to a hotel recently, asked for a family room and 3 beds were fold up, my eldest fell through on to the floor, he is 12 and pretty skinny.

Ok, can't think of anything else

 


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Katerinka12 5 years ago

I like the intranet of booking.com, its simple to use and it gives very good insights.

Answer: Wow. Many of us complain it's difficult. At least something Works for you. That's the most important.

I like the review process from Airbnb, you can respond to all guests once they review you.

Answer: Did you know that Airbnb has introduced reviews from guest, who never stayed in your property?

No one is protected from mistakes. Things happen. We got a worse review ever (racist review) from a guest, who actually never stayed with us? In that situation we are lucky, that this guest was completely wrong and Airbnb removed his review.

However, if his review was not completely out of order, Superhost status will be compromised.

Booking reviews do not compromise your status. You are still Preferred partner, etc.

If you mean anonymous reviews, then no one reads them. Simply because...there is nothing to read about. Please, remember, that those reviews add to your Number of Reviews, which is already great.

And use the possibility to reply to negative review as chance to advertise yourself. Some properties answer like: "We took a note of your review. But we are 99% score place somewhere, given awards by X, Superhost on that?. So, those who actually read reviews will understand.

I like Expedia has an app that picks up all major events in your city/area.

Answer: Booking.com is an Agency business model. And Expedia is Merchants business model. What if property doesn't want those guest for events? As they might continue a party? Just a thought.

I like if we could get sms messages to our phone regarding all reservations.

Answer: why? Don't you get sms messages for reservations? How come? Go to your profile and there you will see many options. Anyone can get immediate sms: reservations manager, owner, cleaning staff...

All guests have to give an arrival time or the booking won't go through.

Answer: hoy. That's too harsh. In this business it's simply impossible. People move. The flights get delayed. Stop for a dinner while on the way to your property. And they pay you actually for waiting them... Normally you are in still favourovable position, as anyway you are in control of Roof and Sleep. But not accepting bookings? Business is always flexible... Very flexible.

Guests who are rude, disruptive should be as to be moved, and host does not have to pay the cost of relocation.

Answer: I can imagine this platform of a dream that can predict that rude behavior. If they are rude, they are rude. As for relocation pay, did you try to tell them to just cancel booking with you?

If you are a bold guest, you are off after 3 bad reviews

Answer: that's unfair. What if it actually happened in your life, that you were so unlucky to stay 3 times (just 3 times) at lousy places?

Airbnb have really good customer service, they say thank you for being a superhost for 3 years, we appreciate that, ok so they are told to say that but its nice.

Answer: Booking.com says that in form of money. Hope you understand whay I mean ?

A clear set of rules so that hosts and representatives are on the same wave length.

Answer: Hosts and representatives will not be on same wave length. Never. In any kind of business. Your business is your child, that you will take care of. Any kind of representative would not care as you do...it's not their business.. Though they are given salary for that

If you are a good host and a good ambassador, you should get a reward, Airbnb gives you vouchers, which are good.

Answer: Booking.com makes it all about money. Majority of hosts are being paid higher by Booking, not Airbnb. So that difference sets you as "Voucher".

And what kind of reward is that to a host? Can you really surprise the host with free stay?

Though taking a chance I would like to say that Booking will introduce any kind of reward. Providing a certificate of recognition will cost them so little.

Airbnb have free photographers that go to your home and take pictures, great service but not available everywhere.

Answer: do you personally have problem with that? Are you in need of a good photographer?

It's not possible for Airbnb to provide photography services just everywhere (due to location). They did a great job! Booking is a way behind. If they only could organize such service, they will earn some money and everyone will benefit from that.

A site that is not a blank template but you are allowed to describe your own description.

Good point!!! If you need some corrections or inputs you can write to Booking. They will adjust your description. Takes time. Corrections must be reasonable.

As of now they are using SEO model, that the most important keywords and information is highlighted. They use it to keep whole platform uniformed as well. They are afraid, that once they allow owners to put their own descriptions, it might go completely lousy.

For guests :

A small video of the property to support the photographs.

Answer: I cant wait to see such a great feature! I, however, understand the costs are involved.

A clear definition of your property type, I get called a hotel all the time/

Answer: What is the problem exactly?

Expedia have a button you click if you are doing any work in the house in case the guest wants peace and quiet

Excellent point!

Speed of wifi should be listed

Answer: Sorry, but this is just so unreliable

If your property has super strong wifi, run speed test online, take screenshot and share it in photo gallery.

If children are staying, vetting of staff, document to proof all staff are vetted by the local police force, especially for small property where you share all amenities.

Answer: what do you mean?

Disclose you bed type, I went to a hotel recently, asked for a family room and 3 beds were fold up, my eldest fell through on to the floor, he is 12 and pretty skinny.

Answer: What actually happened? Sorry anyway..

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

And here what I would like to see on the platform:

1) entry point

If I want ti register at Airbnb, I have to not only provide my ID, but also to take a picture of myself!

And that should be submitted not just by xerox copy or file, but by actual connection of my camera! No games.

Didn't you know that Booking.com completely doesn't care of your identity? In most cases, if you didn't confirm your email address you will be able to book the place?

That's insane.

It changes the whole relationship completely. From the very start. If guest uses fake email, fake address and fake phone, he can still book your place and even pay... Just imagine what are the consequences to the hosts...

Just recently forum member raised that question: what if we are in hands of criminals? As much as everyone want to make money, somehow Booking has to solve this problem with Identity.

2) Add ons

Everyone knows, that running a property rental is all about Maximizing the property.

Among those "nearby" places I can't see so simple - Flowers delivery. Many places are booked by couples. Where is the option to sell them Flower delivery services?

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Bandara Hotels… 5 years ago

This is very interesting topic but I will take long time to answer. will find time to get back soon.

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Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

,Hey cassid ,

Super interesting topic, thanks!

If I had to create my own, I would certainly not play Lego and build a semi-new one by using parts from other platforms.

I think Booking.com does a lot of things that you added on your list quite well. (On that note, nr 3. Take a look at RateIntelligence which is a free tool on Booking.com which will do exactly that). It's making every single partner happy-ish which is difficult.

So if I were to create one, it would only host a certain type of property (probably resorts) as that's where my knowledge/experience lies. Perhaps it's the extreme variety of properties that can be listed that is causing the problems.

Of course I would amend some things, like the reviews and scoring systems etc but Booking.com has a Massive team of smart people who are constantly analyzing and finding the best ways of doing things, which tells me I myself won't be able to come up with a better way of doing things.

Just my 10 cents.

Keep well all!

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Leandri I agree with you. Booking is doing very well although sometimes some problems appear but that's natural. From my part whenever I asked them for their support I was satisfied.