Airbnb.com is an online community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book accommodations through mobile phones or the internet. Airbnb has more than 5 million listings in over 69,000 cities in 191 countries. The listings are categorized into three categories: shared rooms, private rooms, and entire homes or apartments. The website accommodates instant bookings as well as long-term stays.

The company connects travelers seeking authentic experiences with hosts offering unique, inspiring spaces. Whether the available space is a castle for a night, a sailboat for a week, or an apartment for a month, Airbnb is the easiest way for people to showcase these distinctive spaces to an audience of millions.

Airbnb charges hosts 3% of the price once a booking is completed. Airbnb handles the transaction from guest to host. Guests cannot make a reservation without paying in full for their accommodation on Airbnb's secure platform. In return, hosts do not receive the payment until 24 hours after guests check-in. This system ensures both parties' expectations are met and that they are protected under Airbnb's Terms of Service, cancellation policies and Guest Refund Policy.

By facilitating bookings and financial transactions, Airbnb makes the process of listing or booking a space effortless and efficient.

For Property Owners: It is free to sign up and list a property on Airbnb, with fees applied per booking.

As Airbnb has broadened its offering, the experience has merged closer to what you would expect from a hotel in many cases. You might find a better local accommodation experience elsewhere.

The company was co-founded in August 2008 by Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, and is currently headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Airbnb.com is an online community marketplace for people to list, discover, and book accommodations through mobile phones or the internet.

If you’re like me, you owe it to yourself to experience alternative forms of accommodation! Life is too short. It’s important to broaden your horizons when it comes to travel and choosing where you’re going to stay. So give the competitors of Airbnb a chance. You might just find something that suits you better.

There are more than a few sites like Airbnb below. They all prove to be useful in their own special way, depending on what you’re looking for.