UH alumna launches Airbnb business, coaches other minority women on how to make money
Kierra Castleberry is a University of Houston graduate and an Airbnb phenom who is making huge money in the short term and vacation home market and teaching other minority women how to do the same thing. She is just 25 years old and on track to make $350,000 this year.
Kamala Harris art, 'Daily Show' lead Anthem Awards finalists
An art installation inspired by Vice President Kamala Harris, The New York Timesโ โThe 1619 Projectโ and โThe Daily Show with Trevor Noah,โ 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.
Dome sweet dome: Peek inside this geodesic dwelling for sale in the Texas Hill Country
Whatever the reason youโre here, whether youโre honest-to-goodness house hunting, youโre searching for images to tack to your dream house vision board, or you just need something to gawk at to pass the time cooped up indoors, enjoy a virtual tour of this rad Texas pad on the market.
I stayed at a โhauntedโ Airbnb for two nights and this is what happened
To 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.
Take relaxation to new heights when you spend the night in this quirky shipping container tower in North Texas
Modern live comes with its conveniences but itโs also got its fair share of stress. Chances are your phoneโs constantly buzzing with breaking news, work emails, traffic alerts and the like. And even if youโve only occasionally peeked at your phone, the stress of so many alerts and updates may have left you feeling a bit burnt out. An escape from the hubbub of city living could probably do you some good.
Heavenly hideaway: This stunning Texas rental is a converted church
Whatever the reason youโre here, whether youโre in the midst of planning youโre next getaway, youโre searching for images to tack to your unique Airbnb vision board, or you just need something to gawk at to pass the time cooped up indoors, enjoy a virtual tour of this one-of-a-kind vacation rental located in Bartlett, TX.
How sweet it is: See the historic Dr Pepper mansion up for rent in Texas
Were you born a Dr Pepper fan by default? Is Dr Pepper your bubbly beverage of choice? Color yourself a carbonated beverage buff? Does a visit to the Dr Pepper Museum rank high on your Texas bucket list? If you answered yes to any of these questions, weโve found you the perfect weekend getaway -- A stunning, 135-year-old Waco home built by one of the men who introduced Dr Pepper to the world is now a rental up for grabs on Airbnb.
Dome sweet dome: Peek inside this geodesic rental in the Texas Hill Country
Cross an item off your bucket list when you book a night-- or two -- at this geodesic dwelling in the Texas Hill Country. Dubbed the โBlack Beauty,โ the airbnb is nestled on a wooded lot in Leander, TX, about 30 minutes outside Austin City Limits. Constructed in the 90s using a geodesic dome home building kit, the three-story abode was completely remodeled in 2020. Why blab on and on about these incredible accommodations when we can let these photos talk the talk for us? Scroll through the slideshow above to take a peek inside this stunning space.
Airbnb reports huge loss in first time out as public company
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. (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 โ Airbnb's first as a publicly traded entity โ 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 โ outdoorsy places where the risk of contracting the coronavirus is perceived to be lower.
This Texas 7-Eleven listed on Airbnb is offering gamers the โultimate one-night game-cationโ
Calling all gamers, convenience store enthusiasts and unique Airbnb aficionados. Cross an item off your bucket list when you secure an exclusive stay at 7-Elevenโs newest luxury evolution store before it debuts to the public. Texas based 7-Eleven teamed up with Airbnb to offer the one-of-a-kind overnight stay, which will be hosted virtually by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Youโre probably wondering just how many smackeroos this once-in-a-lifetime gaming experience will set you back, right? โThe ultimate gamersโ console warranted an experience just as exclusive in our newest 7-Eleven Evolution Store โ our ultimate retail environment.
This was the most wish-listed Airbnb in Texas in 2020
This was the most wish-listed Airbnb in Texas in 20202020 felt cursed. Airbnb, โin the spirit of this wanderlust,โ recently released a report listing the โmost wish-listedโ rental in each state in 2020. On the vacation rentalโs Airbnb page, hundreds of comments from former guests praise the Insta-worthy accommodations. Check-in was seamless, and Danielle provided plenty of recommendations on nearby restaurants and activities.โOn Airbnb, Danielle boasts the title โSuperhost,โ a designation reserved for Airbnb hosts considered a cut above the rest. Why blab on and on about these incredible accommodations when we can let these photos talk the talk for us?
Airbnb to block, cancel DC bookings ahead of inauguration
Airbnb 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 โ Airbnb said Wednesday it will be blocking and canceling all reservations in the Washington, D.C., area during the week of the presidential inauguration. But over Presidents' Day weekend, the site lists more than 300 rentals in the Washington area. Meanwhile, a hotel labor union representing 7,200 hotel workers in the Washington area, called for hotel closures in the area to protect staff and the public. Marriott International said Wednesday that its hotels in the Washington area will remain open leading up to and through the inauguration.
Airbnb banning rioters, hate groups ahead of inauguration
Airbnb 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 itโs reviewing reservations in the Washington, D.C., area ahead of next weekโs 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 itโs also banning from its platform anyone who engaged in criminal activity in last weekโs riot at the U.S. Capitol. Democratic President-elect Joe Biden was the biggest recipient of Airbnb donations.
โI couldnโt believe what I was seeingโ: Houston woman recounts what it was like to live through the Nashville explosion
NASHVILLE, Tenn. โ Nicole Garza and her husband, cousin and 4-year-old daughter packed their car and arrived in Nashville on Tuesday for a spur-of-the-moment holiday getaway. โChristmas Eve we baked cookies with my daughter, and we served chocolate milk and we set them out for Santa,โ Garza said. A window in the Airbnb where Garza was staying popped out of the frame due to the explosion. โ(The dispatcher) didnโt have answers for us. Garza said a few minutes later, they heard two smaller explosions, a woman screaming and police banging on doors nearby.
Airbnb prices shares at $68 ahead of Thursday IPO
Thirteen 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. Airbnbโs 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
DoorDash shares surged nearly 86% above their offering price of $102 in their market debut Wednesday. Airbnbโs own market debut on Thursday could end up blowing past that. โThis year had a lot of large IPOs,โ 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
DoorDash 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
Airbnb 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.
Houstonian creates ultimate space Airbnb in Boca Chica
One Houstonian experienced this first-hand and turned his own vision into reality -- creating the ultimate space pad Airbnb for many space enthusiasts to rent. However, 400 miles away in the rugged terrain of Boca Chica, just 8 miles from the SpaceX Launch Facility, heโs managed to create the ultimate space loverโs experience, Rocket Ranch. The multi-room ranch has a full-kitchen, coffeeroom area, living room and outside amenities, filled with decor space enthusiasts would appreciate. Photos of different planets, milestone space exploration achievements and touches of trivial space gadgets fill the space. This all started when he went to see a SpaceX launch at the Cape.
Airbnb hopes to raise up to $2.6B in mid-December IPO
Airbnb 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. Itโs 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.
โHome Aloneโ-themed Airbnb in Texas available for the holidays
One Airbnb host is providing a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bring the classic picture to life. The two-bedroom home in Dallas is available to rent in January 2021. The home can accommodate up to six guests with four bedrooms and one bathroom, according to the Airbnb listing. The Airbnb listing features some of the iconic moments of the movie. Plus, a free cheese pizza is delivered during the stay, according to the Airbnb listing.
Airbnb details years of losses ahead of planned IPO
The 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.
Pack your roses: โThe Bachelorโ mansion available for rent on Airbnb
"The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb. (Airbnb.com)"The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb. (Airbnb.com)"The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb. (Airbnb.com)"The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb. (Airbnb.com)"The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb.
Live like royalty for a night: You can rent out an entire castle in the Texas Hill Country -- but, itโll cost you a kingโs ransom
Cross an item off your bucket list when you rent out this castle in the Texas Hill Country. The Youngs toiled for years on their now-complete castle, set on 133 acres in the Texas Hill Country. There, they became transfixed by images of a never-built castle Ludwig had commissioned to replace the ruins of the medieval Falkenstein Castle. Inspired, the Youngs decided to bring Falkenstein Castle to life in the Texas Hill Country. Falkenstein Castle (Falkenstein Castle)Falkenstein Castle (Falkenstein Castle)Falkenstein Castle (Falkenstein Castle)Falkenstein Castle (Falkenstein Castle)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Falkenstein Castle)Falkenstein Castle (Falkenstein Castle)Falkenstein Castle (Falkenstein Castle)Falkenstein Castle (Falkenstein Castle)Falkenstein Castle (Falkenstein Castle)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)Falkenstein Castle (Airbnb)What do you think about this Airbnb?
Airbnb is blocking 1-night bookings on this upcoming holiday
HOUSTON โ To reduce the chance of parties amid the pandemic, Airbnb is banning one-night reservations over Halloween weekend across the country and in Canada. Airbnb will cancel and reimburse the guests for previously booked reservations that fall within the ban. โThis action is designed to help protect our hosts and the communities they live in,โ Airbnb said in the announcement. In the coming weeks, Airbnb will enable technology that restricts certain local and last-minute bookings by guests without a history of positive reviews on Airbnb and also block reservations within an expanded radius. If any guests break the no-party rules, Airbnb says trained agents from their support line will be available to respond to issues raised by neighbors.
Airbnb requires hosts to commit to enhanced cleaning
Airbnb 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
Airbnb 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.
Houston among list of Texas cities named in Airbnb party house crackdown
HOUSTON โ Thereโs a crackdown on party houses throughout Houston and the state, Airbnb announced Tuesday. More than 80 listings across the state that have received complaints or otherwise violated its policies on parties and events have been suspended or removed from the platform, Airbnb said in a news release. This follows Airbnbโs policy change to ban parties at Airbnb listings globally until further notice. Airbnb noted it has a global ban on โparty housesโ and restrictions on bookings of a local entire home listings by U.S. guests under age 25, and a neighborhood support line -- (855) 635-7754 -- where neighbors can call Airbnb. The company said issues raised by Texans through the hotline led directly to many of the listing suspensions.
This Airbnb in the Texas Hill Country is a renovated chapel
Whatever the reason youโre here, whether youโre in the midst of planning youโre next getaway, youโre searching for images to tack to your unique Airbnb vision board, or you just need something to gawk at to pass the time cooped up indoors, enjoy a virtual tour of this one-of-a-kind vacation rental located in the Texas Hill Country.
Totally tubular: This Texas Airbnb is a haven for โ80s nostalgia
Get your fix with a stay at an Airbnb inspired by โ80s nostalgia. And in the kitchen, lodgers will find a stash of sugary sweets, including a stockpile of pop tarts and a cereal bar. From the fun cereal and pop tarts to the vintage video games, this was one of my favorite places I have ever stayed. โWe really enjoyed our stay," wrote Jeff who stayed in April 2020. The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)The McFly (Airbnb)
Hey, hey, hey: This โSaved by the Bellโ-themed Airbnb in Texas is a haven for โ90s nostalgia
Hey, hey, hey millennials: Gotta hankering for all the trappings of your childhood? Get your fix with a stay at a โSaved by the Bellโ-themed Airbnb inspired by โ90s nostalgia. AdOwners Jeremy and Kelsey boast the title โSuperhosts,โ a designation reserved for Aribnb hosts considered a cut above the rest. โJeremy & Kelsey did an amazing job curating this space with authentic relics from the past. AdThe Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)The Slater (Airbnb)
Property owner cancels familyโs reservation 11 days before vacation
It happened to Houstonian Kelly Keenan when he booked a 5-star Galveston bayfront beach house through VRBO for his extended family over the holidays. Property management company Vacasa told Keenan the property owner wanted the beach house for his own use. Out of frustration, Keenan did some digging and found the name and contact information for the man who owns the beach house. You have no way to know if the owner of the property youโre booking has canceled on prior customers. Homeowners or property managers who repeatedly cancel reservations may be removed from the site.โTwo months after Keenanโs canceled reservation, we found the same property still listed on VRBO.
Shiver me timbers: This West Texas Airbnb listing is a clothing-optional yacht docked in the desert
Weโve got quite a quirky listing for you: Itโs a clothing-optional yacht docked in the desert. Ok, so hereโs the skinny on the listing: This BiG Bend adjacent yacht boasts one bedroom, a kitchen, an upper deck perfect for stargazing, and loads of privacy (thank goodness). The yacht is far enough away from the main area that you truly feel like youโre by yourself. If you are wanting to visit Big Bend - Rondas place is about 80mins from the park. West Texas Airbnb listing (Airbnb)West Texas Airbnb listing (Airbnb)West Texas Airbnb listing (Airbnb)West Texas Airbnb listing (Airbnb)
You can stay the night at this โFixer Upperโ home listed on Airbnb
The Shotgun House, a one bedroom home featured on the coupleโs HGTV hit show, โFixer Upper,โ is up for grabs on Airbnb and it costs just $175 per night. โAnyone who loves the Fixer Upper needs to make the trip to Waco! Nothing about our trip was a disappointment and getting to stay at the Shotgun House made it all the better,โ wrote Kimberly, who stayed in November. The location of the Shotgun House makes it the perfect place to stay for a trip to the Silos. The Shotgun House (Airbnb)The Shotgun House (Airbnb)The Shotgun House (Airbnb)The Shotgun House (Airbnb)The Shotgun House (Airbnb)The Shotgun House (Airbnb)The Shotgun House (Airbnb)
All aboard, yโall! This Texas Airbnb rental is a turn-of-the-century train car
Why stay in a run-of-the-mill motel when you can bunk in this old-timey train car turned Airbnb? Back in its days as an active train car, distinguished passengers of this 1895 Pullman palace car included President Theodore Roosevelt and Comanche leader Quanah Parker. โI've always wanted to stay in a train car, but never have found one restored to such authentic luxury, providing all the modern amenities without significantly impacting the experience of a restored vintage train car. Scroll below to take a peek inside this vintage train car turned Airbnb. 1894 Private Pullman Palace Car (Airbnb)1894 Private Pullman Palace Car (Airbnb)1894 Private Pullman Palace Car (Airbnb)1894 Private Pullman Palace Car (Airbnb)1894 Private Pullman Palace Car (Airbnb)1894 Private Pullman Palace Car (Airbnb)
You can stay in Bella Swan's house from 'Twilight' movies thanks to Airbnb
The 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.