Spare Bed

Suppose you’re in search of an apartment for the night, a castle for a week, a villa for the month or a yurt in Mongolia. Not a problem. Airbnb will facilitate your needs, as this San Francisco-based trusted community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book unique accommodations around the world has grown exponentially since its launch in 2008. 30-year old founder Brian Chesky, along with partner Joe Gebbia, came up with the idea for Airbnb while looking for a place to stay- more like an air bed to crash on- which subsequently changed the travel industry. Finding apartments and rooms to tree houses and boats has never been easier with distinctive spaces offered in 192 countries. Their goal is to connect with people by giving them access to the most interesting places, such as the entire principality of Liechtenstein for $70,000 dollars a night. Seriously.

Opening your doors to strangers has never been more lucrative, and more than 50 percent of Airbnb hosts depend on renting out their homes to pay for their rent or mortgage- where it has become big business for New Yorkers particularly during the economic crisis. The multi-million dollar company- their net worth is now between $1.5-$2.5 billion- takes 6 to 12 percent of the fee from the guest, and 3 percent from the host. The fee is paid to the renter after the first night, making it the easiest way to monetize extra space. Airbnb’s sleek new offices in San Francisco are in a former industrial manufacturing facility, built in 1917. The design was a collaboration between Gensler designers and the Airbnb founders- graduates of the esteemed Rhode Island School of Design- equipped with lots of open space, art installations, a Heath Ceramic stocked kitchen, an open atrium and exposed hallways. Meeting rooms replicate the company’s global listings, such as the most raved about listing in Amsterdam. Red Light District not included.  www.airbnb.com