I haven't traveled in quite a while, and looking on line I see that things have definitely changed in the hospitality trade! Airbnb is not new, by any means, but it has developed into an incredible opportunity to see the world in the best and most unique possible ways. When I finally can travel again, I play on fully enjoying its charms, everywhere I go. What makes Airbnb so wonderful? What makes it better than a four-star hotel for instance?
1. It's unique. Some of these homes or apartments or private rooms are in Irish castles! In French windmills! In a Spanish Geodesic dome! And then there are all of the "run of the mill" options in brick lofts in Soho, beach bungalows in Venice, California, or cozy cabins in Canada. You can stay anywhere, be anybody you've ever dreamed of being! Can a Doubletree or a Hilton say that?
2. It's inexpensive! Why oh why does travel always have to be so costly? A person has to save for years to go anywhere, and they can only stay a week and they come home broke...kind of takes the joy out of. But not anymore! Airbnb prices are outrageously reasonable. Really. I found a beautiful place in Santa Monica, California called "Santa Monica Organic Garden" that is a light-filled, sweetly scented apartment surrounded by beautiful gardens and birds. For $125 a night. The Doubletree is $400 a night, with $38 dollars a DAY parking.
I also found an incredible pool-side place in Palm Springs for $115 a night. Very nice, much better than the $300 a night resort nearby, much more private and special, and at that price we could stay another couple of days!
But honestly, even these prices are high by Airbnb standards. You can get a one bedroom apartment on the coast of France for the equivalent of $34. I'm not kidding. C'est incroyable, non?!
As more and more people around the world decide to take matters like housing, energy, transportation, and diet into their own hands, finding ways to reinvent outdated, inefficient business models, we ALL benefit. The traveler certainly benefits by more fully-immersing themselves in the local culture, thus having a more satisfying experience that stays with them on a deeper level. The places they visit benefit too from their business, and if they can afford to stay a few days longer, so much the better!
I'm excited to see what's around the corner in hospitality and transportation. Airplanes are quickly being reinvented using lighter materials that take less fuel, and more comfort options are available, like sleep chairs and better meals, onboard media, etc. And don't forget high speed rail! The US is certainly lagging behind the world in that department (which is ridiculous when you consider how huge our country is, we could realllly use it!) but hopefully we will soon catch up. 
So just a tip of the hat to you travelers out there! If you haven't already, explore the Airbnb site and see which European Treehouse is right for you! XOXOX DR
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