Hospitality is supposed to be about comfort, leisure and service, not guests using words like stranded or homeless. Yet those were the terms popping up in headlines this week as Sonder's collapse rippled through buildings around the world. The short-term rental operator, once a proptech darling and a $2 billion public company, announced it's preparing to file for Chapter 7 liquidation in the U.S., with parallel insolvency proceedings abroad. Operations ceased almost immediately.
Tesla is now in the business of short-term car rentals, as the company tries to mitigate falling sales in the US following the expiry of federal tax credits for electric vehicles. Rentals are currently being offered in two California Tesla stores in San Diego and Costa Mesa, with plans to expand to more locations by the end of this year, Electrek reports.
We were stressed about Hurricane Melissa. Authorities told us it would be a Category Five hurricane. They said, "We've never had a hurricane like this before. It's going to wreck the place. Prepare, prepare, prepare." When it finally arrived, it wasn't the worst I've lived through, but it was rough. I sheltered at home with my wife, and the wind and rain were so strong that we couldn't see anything. Outside our window, it was all just white - a white spray of water everywhere.
The restaurants and hotels along the Riviera Maya's golden mile in Mexico have a few visitors, but nothing is crowded. It's the low season that's the mantra repeated by hoteliers, shopkeepers, and even the mayor. The situation would be typical for this time of year the end of hurricane and seaweed season were it not for the official tourism figures showing that hotel occupancy dropped by more than 10% in September.
He and his wife purchased a five-acre property with the intention of opening a campground-like retreat made up of four Airstream trailers that visitors could rent on Airbnb. After spending five years and over $250,000 preparing to open - a process that included restoring the vintage Airstream trailers by hand, connecting those trailers to utilities systems, moving through permitting processes and developing business and marketing plans - Troy's venture was up and running for about a week.
This covers any types of short-term (less than 90 days at a time) rentals to tourists - that would include renting out on Airbnb or similar online platforms, renting as a gite or rentals organised through other means. Any property listed as a maison secondaire (second home) that is rented out to tourists, even just for a couple of weeks of the year, now needs to be registered with local authorities as a meuble de tourisme.
The surge in short-term rentals is altering the landscape of quiet neighborhoods, causing disruptions and raising concerns among long-term residents. Local governments, such as the town of Wells, ME, are grappling with the challenge of balancing the economic benefits of tourism with preserving the character and tranquility of residential areas affected by STRs. Maine's approach to regulating STRs primarily occurs at the local level, with varying requirements such as annual permits, adherence to safety standards, and zoning restrictions in different municipalities.
As Labor Day approaches, there is a surge in demand for short-term rentals in coastal areas of the U.S., indicating a strong desire among travelers for one last summer getaway. Despite economic uncertainties, Americans are indulging in travel, with July bookings reaching record levels, according to the latest data from AirDNA. The preference for larger and more expensive rental properties, especially in coastal regions, has been notable. While occupancy rates slightly dipped due to increased listings, total nights booked rose year over year.
"As a Joshua Tree local, we all know the best entrance is the Twentynine Palms entrance. ... It's the part of the park that looks the most like it's a different planet," said Benjamin Uyeda, a co-founder and designer of the hotel who has lived in the area since 2017.
Casa Terra e Vidru was developed in collaboration with designer Fabrizio Carboni and architect Enrico Manca, reflecting the client’s desire for a personal home and rental space.
"People are getting more comfortable with booking short-term rentals and figuring out the pricing mechanics. Many STRs offer last-minute discounts to fill inventory, so that the closer you get to a stay, the less expensive it is."
The Polo Villas is a luxury 18-home community just outside Coachella, available for nearly $80 million, ideal for short-term rental investment.
