MID-WINTER MUSE

THE MAKING OF Family Tradition IN BIG SKY

A sisters weekend with Mom. Unplugged, in a 1970s time capsule at the base of Big Sky Resort.

Game night with the girls.

More likely than not, the memories made on those family ski trips growing up have been re-told.... year after year.... for decades, by Mom. She tells them as if they are mythical stories; with a twinkle in her eye. Mom recalls a memory of her children, how heroic they were as wee-ones, where they conquered the cold and braved the steep slopes of some fairy tale mountain way out West. It is experiences like these that form family traditions that last a lifetime.

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Mom makes her traditional “skiers special” breakfast of champions!

Family ski trips foster the kind of memories where you get a lot of “Remember when mom tried to do a spread eagle…” or “Remember when Jamie jumped into the snow in her bathing suit…” or “Remember when I put 30 marshmallows in my hot chocolate…”

These are the memories you’ll always come back to, whether you’re nine or 90, parent or child!

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Getting creative with the sisters at the retro ski-retreat

Time spent outside among stunning, snow-covered peaks and magical mountains blanketed in powder create a unique connection to nature that can’t be experienced on many other trips. First-person experiences in the great outdoors inspire people to dream, tap into creative energy and, most importantly, value and protect the natural world.

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TIME CAPSULE 1974 . WEEKEND RETREAT . FAMILY TRADITION . BIG SKY, MONTANA

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All content courtesy of Alyssa Parsons. IG: @snow_sun_alyssa

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Headwaters Hosting is a vacation rental company in Big Sky, Montana. Headwaters fosters a family style approach to hosting guests and believes when you’re here, you’re family. Headwaters defines the Big Sky way of life.

@philmckenziephoto

Innsbruck 1974 Retro Ski-Retreat

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY AND THRIVIN’ WHILE TRAVELING!

We had the pleasure of hosting Holistic Health Coach and Blogger Hannah Susane last week in Big Sky. She shared with us some of her thoughts on how to stay healthy and thrivin’ while traveling. Check it out!

Hey it’s Hannah, here I am in Montana… in the snow. Luckily I’m warm and cozy in front of a wood stove and the whole place smells like cinnamon buns.

I got the wonderful opportunity to stay at an adorable little bungalow in Big Sky, Montana with a few friends and of course, Finn the now not so little pup. I thought this would be the Perfect time to let you guys in on all my tips and tricks for staying healthy (and happy) while you travel.

If you’re ever in the Big Sky, Montana area be sure to check out Big Sky Bungalow. It’s honestly my dream home and makes for such a cozy and relaxing getaway.

1) Stay at an Airbnb

Honestly, Airbnb might be one of the best things to ever happen for travel. If you’re unfarmiliar with Airbnb, its basically an app where people can list their homes or rooms just like hotel rooms. It’s usually WAY cheaper than a hotel and each place has its own unique personality. Another plus is you can snag use of a kitchen. This is a huge plus because not only can you cook your own super yummy meals, it costs so much less then room service and restaurants.

We picked up gnocchi, vodka sauce, asparagus, peppers, and steaks (for my roommates). It was so yummy and pretty much thanksgiving in April.

2) Go Grocery Shopping

Even if you are choosing to stay at a hotel, hit the grocery store before hand. This can save you from the expensive hotel snacks and fast food. Grab things like dinner foods, sandwich ingredients, and some healthy snacks. ( my faves are organic popcorn, granola, and fruit salad.)

3) Comfort & Style

Some people claim they dress up at the airport. I prefer sweats and a hoodie , I like to be as comfortable as possible when traveling. It helps me battle stress and just keeps me so much more relaxed. You can still do this without compromising on style!

Click Image to create a morning routine with Hannah

4) Stick With Your Morning Routine 

It’s so easy to get out of routine when we travel. Something so small can often have a huge impact on how we function. Morning routines add structure and mindfullness to your day and help you start off on the right foot. You can also condense your current routine to fit in with your travel schedule. Just adding one mindful activity to your morning can make you feel more at home wherever you are in the world. 

5) Get Moving 

No matter where you are, movement is key to a healthy lifestyle. Its super easy to incorporate mini workouts and adventures into your everyday life while traveling! In Big Sky we had access to so many beautiful hikes. Take a look around where you are staying and see if there are any scenic walks, hikes, or running trails. If your’e near the ocean maybe its time to learn how to surf or paddle board (surfing Is my personal favorite). 

You can also exercise without leaving your hotel or Airbnb. There are hundreds of youtube videos that walk you through almost any kind of yoga flow. You can also intuitively move your body and create your own yoga sequence. 

Thank-you guys so much for reading, if you made it this far comment your FAVE place to travel OR one travel tip you would love to share with the world. 

Check out more of all things Hannah Susane Below.

LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: 3 Stops to Curb Your Appetite While Immersed in the Big Sky Scene

UP TOP

SCISSORBILLS SALOON Open Daily at 11am

Scissorbills Saloon is a small privately owned Montana saloon and eatery, in the heart of the Big Sky Resort Mountain Village. We love Montana Craft Brews and fine pub fare. We are located on the 3rd floor of the Arrowhead Mall in Big Sky Mountain Village. Ski right into the back door for lunch and après with great food, live music, and large variety of beer and cocktails.

MUST EAT: NACHOS

$10 half / $14 full

Tomatoes, Black Olives, Green Onions, Jalapenos, Scissorbills Nacho Cheese, Sour Cream, Salsa

STAY FOR LIVE LOCAL MUSIC AND APRÉS SCENE

MEADOW

Olive B’s OPEN MON-FRI 11am

Customer Review: We chose this restaurant based on input from locals and soon learned why it enjoys such a good reputation. Service was polite and professional. The setting is subdued, perfectly lit and well appointed. Now the important part: the food was excellent. Plates were well presented, but not overly flashy. The chef obviously knows how to create interesting combinations of tastes and colors. Be sure to take advantage of the special offerings which change every day. You will definitely enjoy the experience.

WHAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT: DUCKLING

$29

crisp roast duck, peach glaze, sweet potato and spinach hash with pearl onions and red grapes

CANYON

GALLATIN RIVERHOUSE GRILL OPEN DAILY AT 3PM

Customer Review: We went to the Gallatin Riverhouse at the recommendation of a friend who travels to Big Sky annually. The view and BBQ were highly recommended and did not disappoint! We had a short wait, but didn't mind. We enjoyed the view + live music on the patio sipping some local brews on tap. Once seated, our food was DELISH--order the combo for 2--a great way to try all the local BBQ favs! We will definitely come back on our next trip to Big Sky!

BIG APPETITE? LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE GRUB? TRY THIS: Three Piece Chicken

$7

served with slaw, corn on the cob, beans and cornbread.

Bleisure or Bust: The newest Millenial travel trend of 2019

What Is Bleisure?

Bleisure refers to the blending of business and leisure travel and is a rapidly growing phenomenon in the business tripping world. In fact, more than half of business trips taken in the last year qualify as bleisure.

Who’s bleisuring?

Not surprisingly, the bulk of the passengers aboard the bleisure train are millennials, who see turning short business trips into mini-vacations as a way to quench their thirst for adventure without breaking their budgets.

They are also likely solo travelers, with only 36% having family or friends to visit at their business destinations.

The technology sector is home to the greatest concentration of bleisure travelers, most of whom embark on two to three night business trips around six times a year.

Where are they bleisuring?

According to data collected by Expedia Media Solutions, the typical bleisure trip takes place in a destination far from the traveler’s home.

Business trips are most likely to include a bit of leisure when they occur in exciting locations that offer a lot of attractions and are easy to navigate. Respondents described the ideal bleisure backdrop as a city with great food, beaches, sightseeing opportunities, good weather, historical significance, museums, art and culture.

That said, the most popular bleisure destinations are much the same as the most popular travel destinations in general, with cities like New York, London, Paris and Tokyo topping the list.

If you find that the locations of your rentals meet the criteria for inviting bleisure travel, it’s time to read up on how to make the most of this rising trend.

Tapping Into the Bleisure Market

Research shows that people don’t spend nearly as much time planning their bleisure trips as they do vacations purely for leisure. In fact, the typical bleisure traveler spends an average of only one to two hours planning the non-business aspects of their journeys.

So if you want to grab them, you have to make sure that a brief glance at your listing profile is all they need to confirm your rental can meet both their business and leisure needs.

“Quiet neighborhood, 5 minute drive from town center,” is a great example of a description that demonstrates that your property is a place where one could get work done, but also go out and explore.

Since conferences are the number one purpose for business trips (accounting for 67% of them), you should put in the effort to stay up-to-date on any conferences occurring near your rentals. You can then incorporate the name of the conference or the city that’s hosting it into your listing title to draw in any travelers searching specifically for accommodations nearby.

You’ll also, of course, want to be sure to have eye-catching photographs 

Upsell away

Since bleisure travelers don’t invest a great deal of time in planning their itineraries, you might be able to step in and help them make the most of their stay. Build partnerships with vendors around your rentals, such as restaurants, spas, car services and tour guides, and recommend their services to guests who may not have all their days filled in.

Accommodate diverse needs

Generally we suggest knowing your guest’s purpose of travel prior to their arrival so you can cater the experience to them. The bleisure trend makes it a little more difficult to determine what business travelers might expect, since some are still strictly business, while others want some excitement on the side.

Find out in your pre-stay correspondence what the purpose of their travel is and if it’s business, ask if they would also be interested in enjoying some local experiences in their spare time.

Offer all the amenities you would to business travelers, like reliable WiFi and comfortable working spaces, but don’t refrain from adding some fun to the mix in the form of a list of “must-sees” and some travel guides.

Capitalize and collect

If you see that your guest fits the description of a likely bleisure candidate, aka a millennial traveling for a business conference, then pitch the idea of extending their stay, either before or during their visit.

Let guests know that other business travelers have chosen to remain at your rentals for an extra night to enjoy the many attractions and activities nearby. You can even offer an extra night at a discount exclusive to business travelers if you feel it will benefit your business.

As business travelers often return to the same destinations on subsequent trips, you should take measures to encourage your guests to stay with you the next time they’re in town on business. Ask them what they’d still like to see and enjoy locally and promise to help arrange it on their next visit.

Direct them to your personal booking site, where they can perhaps find coupons that specifically cater to guests who wish to mix business with pleasure. 

And, of course, save their contact information so you can reach out to them when a big conference is coming to your area that might pertain to their business, or when any exciting local events are coming up on the calendar.

Stay Ahead of the Game

Smart short-term property managers know that the job entails a whole lot more than waiting around for guests to decide to vacation at their rentals. If you want to be truly successful and optimize your revenue, you have to stay on top of growing industry trends so you’ll be one step ahead of the game and ready to ride each wave to new business heights.

Now that you’ve done your due diligence and learned about bleisure travel, you can make sure that when business meets leisure, it’ll be at your rentals.

Seasonal Refresh: Maximize Your Airbnb Occupancy Rate During Peak Season

Headwaters Hosting Interior Decorator Amy Hafemeyer hard at work getting our properties ready for the winter season.

Give Your Property a Seasonal Makeover

The busy season is fast approaching and we are looking forward to all our guests staying under our roofs this season. We have been hard at work getting our properties tuned up for the winter. While guests should always be impressed by your property, it doesn’t hurt to give it a makeover between seasons. This emphasizes you are dedicated to maintaining your property in the best condition possible and are staying current and competitive.

We are expecting our best season yet at our Airbnbs. Montana is a happening place and we are hosting a lot of first time visitors this winter. Aside from this, the competition is harder than ever to put our properties above the rest to attract quality bookings and get the highest occupancy rate possible. One of the ways we look to outpace other listings is through a seasonal makeover.

6 Decorating Tips for a Seasonal Refresh from Amy

1. Layers: layer everything from your  living room to dining table. It adds warmth and depth to a space.

2. Candles: have some Fir scented candles going, it creates warmth if you don’t have a fire place and gets the scent of the holidays throughout your home.

3. Hot coco kit: have a coco kit on your counter, fill cute jars with coco mix, candy canes, and marshmallows. This comes in handy on a snowy night and with the kiddos. 

4. Blankets: have plenty of warm, cozy blankets handy to snuggle up in. From knit to faux fur, this also brings texture into a space. 

5. Color (or lack of): try switching things out to bring in soft creams and whites. Switch out duvets, maybe a lamp, throws, and little rugs. Having this light palate makes the space feel even cozier and lets you be able to layer it easily.

6. Natural greens: If you can’t have a real tree, bring in sprigs of spruce and place throughout your home. This adds the color and scent of the season!

Don’t have the time to do it yourself?

We are ready to lend a hand. Our interior decorator Amy would love to get your Airbnb up to snuff for the ski season! We recommend utilizing 10-20% of your holiday bookings to budget for a winter refresh.

Spotlighting a Winter's Journey: Yellowstone National Park

When the crowds of Yellowstone National Park dwindle as the earth is covered in a striking blanket of white; a dramatic environment of fire and ice remains.

An adventure into this place known as “Wonderland” in the winter time is other-worldly. Bison, elk and wolves all endure the wrath of Mother Nature as they wander through the snow covered valleys. The geothermal features are simply jaw dropping in this frigid environment with billowing clouds of steam rising in every direction, waterfalls stand frozen in time as if by magic, and the water of geysers erupts into the brisk air instantly transforming into diamond dust twinkling as it falls back to the ground. 

With over four million visitors a year, the majority of which traveling in the summer months, some of the Yellowstone charm can be taken away by the sheer crowds of people.

The most refreshing aspect of winter in Yellowstone for me is the silence and solitude. A visitor gets to experience this place like it was meant to be, like one of the first explorers discovering this enchanting area for the first time.

Vehicles of another class come alive as the snow piles up and most of the roads close to traditional cars. Snowmobiles, snow coaches, and other captivating snow crawling machines provide the transportation into the heart of the Park. As you travel into the depths of Yellowstone via one of these tremendous machines, it feels as if you are on a great polar expedition into a land of fire and ice.

Cross-country skiing and snow shoeing trails replace the standard hiking paths in the winter; it is exhilarating to investigate the wild thermal features with skis or snow shoes underfoot. The cozy Snow Lodge greets guests from the bitter cold, and there is nothing like having a warm drink and sitting around the fireplace of the Lodge after a full day of exploration.

Taking a Yellowstone winter tour gives you the chance to experience the raw power of Mother Nature.

This place can be brutal, beautiful, and captivating all in one; a place where super-heated water erupts into arctic air and where wildlife pushes snow in a constant struggle to survive. Yellowstone in winter is a place where silence and solitude dominate the Parks interior. In my opinion, you have never really seen Yellowstone until you’ve been there in the winter. 

Cowboy-

Over-snow winter travel opens this year on December 15th, so get your plans in order!

Why Airbnb Hosts Should Travel

Corey with his sister Kayla outside Refugio Frey after enduring a four day blizzard in Patagonia Argentina—

Embrace the spirit of adventure.

Travel is at the core of Headwaters Hosting. We encourage our team-members to get out of their nest as much as possible, to gain new perspectives and bring back fresh energy to our team. A refreshed mindset allows us to do more creative work. Exploring new places allows us to put ourselves in our guests shoes as we discover completely foreign environments. It gives us a chance to take pointers on what other hosts are doing in the world and how we can incorporate some of these heart-warming attributes into our own practices while hosting travelers at home.

Both managing partners at Headwaters recently returned to Big Sky from their most recent cultural immersions. Alison from Mumbai, India and Corey spent a month in the Southern Hemisphere skiing and exploring Patagonia Argentina and Chile with his sister.

If you are open and willing, travel will make you an incredibly more well-rounded human being. It will teach you compassion for others and test your core beliefs. It allows you to gain an outside perspective on your own life, your own goals, and what energy you want to bring to the table upon your return home.

When you set off on a journey, it can help to be as clear as you can about what you’d ideally want to get out of your wanderings. Good trips should be transformational and their effects long-lasting, but in order to be so, we should take a moment—in the departure lounge or at home the night before, when the suitcases are packed—to reflect on what we really want to derive from heading out into the world.

Alison embracing the culture in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Through travel we have found that the core Airbnb concept of ‘belonging anywhere’ is true. From an Earth view, we are all humans on this little green planet and accepting foreigners as family is just natural to us. Airbnb has redefined what a good travel experience is through allowing local people to host travelers versus corporate enterprises or big hotel chains, this gives a guest a full immersion while out on the open road. We encourage everyone, Airbnb host or not, to get out there and explore. For us it is necessary, we will continue to travel and bring back new ideas and unique ways to allow our guests to live more like a local rather than travel like a tourist.

Happy Trails,

Corey

Reflecting on a day of skiing the active Villarrica Volcano this past October while hitching a ride back to Pucón, Chile.

Get more clicks on your Airbnb when people are searching your area

Four proven strategies for making your listing stand out

I attended Olga Mizrahi’s host educator class at the Airbnb Open in 2016. She is a Superhost who opens her three-bedroom ski lodge in California to travelers from around the world. She’s also a design and marketing expert whose work has been featured in magazines such as Forbes, Inc., and Fast Company. Olga shared with me four proven strategies for making your listing stand out:

Focus on what makes your space unique: Airbnb offers more than two million listings. To help you convey why guests should choose yours above the others, Olga suggests creating a “unique value proposition.” Take a few minutes to think about the appealing, one-of-a-kind assets that make your listing special: Can you say you’ll supply extra soft sheets? A gorgeous view? A short walk to a major attraction? Consider modifying your listing description and title to really focus on these advantages. You can attract more attention and more bookings if you highlight your listing’s strengths.

Use your reviews: Olga recommends looking at your reviews to find details to include in your listing description. What, exactly, is it about your hospitality and listing that attracts your best guest ratings? Taking account of real opinions from real travelers is the most reliable way to find out.

Think like a guest: By using precise and accurate language to describe what your space offers, you can boost your listing’s appeal to travelers looking for particular amenities. Olga’s listing in Mammoth Lakes emphasizes its convenient parking, for instance, because she knows from experience that skiers love it when they can haul their ski gear into the listing easily. She also makes sure to point out that her home has a wood-burning fireplace because she knows skiers love to unwind in front of the fire after a day on the slopes.

Stay with a local host: About 60% of hosts have never traveled with Airbnb as a guest. Olga advises every host to try a one-night “staycation” at a fellow host’s home near you. During the visit, pay close attention to your interactions with the host, the check-­in and check-out process, and the overnight experience. The visit will help you come up with ideas about how to elevate the hospitality you provide.

Happy Trails,

Corey

Managing Partner I Headwaters Hosting

Please share any questions or ideas on what you have found to be the most successful way to get your listing more clicks in the comment section below.

Off Season Upgrade: Guest-friendly home improvements for your Airbnb

Airbnb hosts have a little more to think about when considering home improvement projects. Investing time and money into your space may increase your property value, and also better serve your guests—hopefully boosting your ratings too.

So how do you plan home improvements with hosting in mind? We’ve gathered a few tips and stories from hosts about which projects they’re planning and why. 

Get personalized

Home improvement doesn’t always have to involve knocking down walls or tearing up flooring. Consider starting small with painting projects, reupholstering, or simple decor changes. Guests come to Airbnb looking for something unique and home-like, so don’t be afraid to add some personal flair to your space, such as displaying objects from your travels, stocking books you recommend, or painting an accent wall in your absolute favorite color. 

Adding personality to a space can be tricky, (What is my personality? Am I exciting enough?) so don’t overthink it. Go with what you like and incorporate elements from across your life, such as your work, hobbies, family history, or anything at all.  

There is always painting to do (of furniture as well as walls) but I am also planning on going wallpaper crazy. I LOVE statement wallpapers and because of the set designing I do as part of my job, I have a stack of lovely ones sitting around.

–Huma

Be your own guest

Experiencing your space as a guest can help you identify worthwhile areas of improvement. Sleep in your guest beds, take a shower and try out the bathroom towels. If a space is dedicated exclusively to guests, try cooking a meal in the kitchen to make sure everything works and that you have all the right tools. Taking your space for a trial run, or having a friend or family member do it for you, can help you find potential fixes you might not otherwise see as a host. 

Guest feedback is also a great source of info. Your guests may have stayed in a lot of other listings and can provide objective feedback to help identify needed repairs or worthwhile investments. 

What I would like to do this year, taking into consideration also some of my guests feedback, is to spend some time and money redesigning and remaking the bathrooms of my Acropolis house. Since it is a neoclassical property (it’s been there since the ‘20s) I will need to get a special permit from the Ministry of Culture, but it is certainly worth it.

– Panos & Mary,

When considering fix-it projects for your space, keep these guest-focused principles in mind:

• Are practical items conveniently placed? For example, are towel racks within easy reach of the shower? Is the showerhead high enough for tall guests? Do you have an area near the front door to leave things like keys, handbags, or jackets?
  

• Are basic resources accessible, such as power outlets for charging mobile devices? (Without having to crawl under a table or heave aside a couch, for example?) Are light switches easily found?
  

• Are standard features like doors and windows functional and easy to use? Quirks like having to jiggle a door key for the lock to work or having to use a nearby object to prop open a window can diminish a guest’s experience, and it can knock a star off your host review.
  

Use hosting as leverage for home improvement

For some hosts, the potential income can be a strong motivator for planning improvements. Been dreaming about building a backyard gazebo but can’t quite justify the effort yet? Or maybe you know you need to upgrade your plumbing but want to save up money first. Hosting on Airbnb may help fund your next home improvement effort. 

I would really like to do a soundproofing and design project to convert my detached garage to a music room/studio to house my guitars and drum set. As it is, I hate to play my instruments in the house for fear of disturbing my guests so it will provide a nice getaway room for me without disturbing others!

–Valerie,

Aside from practical considerations of cost and time, any projects you take on should improve the way you feel about your own space. If it’s making your dreams come true, it’s probably worth it. If you do embark on a home improvement project, don’t forget to take pictures and update your listing!

Now get those off-season projects done, the busy season is coming!

Headwaters Hosting

5 Easy tips for booking your dream stay while Traveling

Stepping off the traditional path of staying at a hotel can be scary at first but well worth the stories and memories created when traveling.  It’s actually the perfect time to venture off the beaten path and right into the heart of the community you’re visiting. Here are our best tips for finding the cheapest and most memorable Airbnbs

1. The Map Tool Is Your New Best Friend

Airbnb has a great map feature that lets you explore your destination before you even set foot in the city. Like with google maps, all you do is click and drag the map to move it around — wherever you stop, the available listings and prices will appear. If you’re traveling soon, look for listings with the lightning-bolt symbol, which means they’re available for instant booking so you won’t have to wait for your host to approve the request at the other end.

2. Know Your Price Range

You’re in control here. The map can get cluttered, especially in big cities that have tens of thousands of listings. Figure out what you’re willing to pay so you don’t have to sort through every listing by hand. If you have any other requirements, like a private room or multiple beds, now is the time to add those filters as well.  All of these preferences can be easily plugged into the search bar on Airbnb

3. Figure out Which Part of the City You Want to Stay In

This is a great excuse to start planning the rest of your vacation.  I like to first know what my activities will be during my trip and plan my accommodations accordingly.  When visiting some place new I enjoy being within walking distance of all things that day to day locals utilize.  Waking up in a neighborhood a block from a highly rated coffee shop, boutique food market, or yoga studio I can drop into is my favorite way to get immersed in a new location.  

4. Read the Reviews and Rules Carefully

Reviews will give you a good foundation for what people thought about the place you are interested in booking.  It is a credible source as these are people just like you.  The more reviews a listing has the more experienced the homeowner is at hosting and thus the more likely you are to have a pleasurable stay.  

Banámichi, Sonora Mexico-

Likewise, reading the rules and other information thoroughly is important.  It will often spell out the imperfections of the property, perhaps you can hear the neighbors through your wall or the property is difficult to find.  This happened to me recently while traveling to a luxury hideout in Banamichi, a small village in the middle of nowhere Mexico.  If I would have read the instructions well, I would have known the detailed directions to reaching the property instead of following the not always so reliable google maps that missed a turn costing me an hour of back tracking.  

A room at the Urban Cowboy in Nashville

5. Keep an Eye out for Unique Listings

It’s easy to pick the first room with a bed that meets your needs, but if you keep looking, you might find something really special. I always like returning to office Monday morning with a “you’re not going to believe where I stayed this weekend.”  

Bottom Line

Don’t shy away from the opportunity to integrate into the local community. The greatest benefit Airbnb offers over a hotel is that your hosts double as personal guides to a new city. Utilize their suggestions when you’re deciding what to eat, where to go and how to get around. They’ll clue you in to the hidden gems of their hometown that