The Entrepreneur Forum | Financial Freedom | Starting a Business | Motivation | Money | Success

Welcome to the only entrepreneur forum dedicated to building life-changing wealth.

Build a Fastlane business. Earn real financial freedom. Join free.

Join over 80,000 entrepreneurs who have rejected the paradigm of mediocrity and said "NO!" to underpaid jobs, ascetic frugality, and suffocating savings rituals— learn how to build a Fastlane business that pays both freedom and lifestyle affluence.

Free registration at the forum removes this block.

Concept feedback request : Appartment rental for day-use

StefanoUP

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
84%
Aug 8, 2019
67
56
Europe
Dear Fastlaners and Unscripted friends,

I have this concept and starting to set-up the website but as I finished reading Unscripted for the 3rd time and FLM for the 4th :smile: I figured out it would be a good idea to ask you folks for feedback.

The concept hit my mind when I heard people complain about the need to check-in for the appartment at a pre-defined time which would not be suitable for them and same issue for the checkout time.
Also sometimes you travel and you would just need or want to relax before going to visit a customer, friend or relative and those are just a few reasons why I thought about this solution.

So the concept is quite simple; we all know airbnb and the idea is to have a website with added and improved features.

The website will enable users to book an appartment :
- for the morning only,
- the afternoon only,
- a whole day (say from 8am to 8pm),
- or even set-up the desired check-in and check-out time during the same day (10am to 4pm)
- set-up the desired check-in and check out time from one day to another day (check-in at 10am on monday and checkout at 3pm on Wednesday for example)

Of course the owner would specify the time when his appartment would be available and the price he would like to rent it.
I know something similar already exists for hotels ( DAYROOMS.com : hotel rooms for dayuse - 75% )

So what do you think about this concept?

Thanks for your feedback.
Stefano,
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Grinder20

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
173%
May 28, 2019
124
215
Dear Fastlaners and Unscripted friends,

I have this concept and starting to set-up the website but as I finished reading Unscripted for the 3rd time and FLM for the 4th :smile: I figured out it would be a good idea to ask you folks for feedback.

The concept hit my mind when I heard people complain about the need to check-in for the appartment at a pre-defined time which would not be suitable for them and same issue for the checkout time.
Also sometimes you travel and you would just need or want to relax before going to visit a customer, friend or relative and those are just a few reasons why I thought about this solution.

So the concept is quite simple; we all know airbnb and the idea is to have a website with added and improved features.

The website will enable users to book an appartment :
- for the morning only,
- the afternoon only,
- a whole day (say from 8am to 8pm),
- or even set-up the desired check-in and check-out time during the same day (10am to 4pm)
- set-up the desired check-in and check out time from one day to another day (check-in at 10am on monday and checkout at 3pm on Wednesday for example)

Of course the owner would specify the time when his appartment would be available and the price he would like to rent it.
I know something similar already exists for hotels ( DAYROOMS.com : hotel rooms for dayuse - 75% )

So what do you think about this concept?

Thanks for your feedback.
Stefano,
Hey Stefano,

My first thoughts were you were starting a hotel/Airbnb by the hour ... however, I think we all can agree, when travelling, it is horrible not being able to check into a hotel or place you are staying when you arrive.

You opened my eyes to the Dayrooms.com concept, had no idea it existed...so you may be on to something, especially giving owners a way to make some vs. no money on their rentals.

I understand you are attempting to build a platform and won't be involved in the day-to-day operations (at least in the houses/hotels being rented) being first thought was how this would look on the operation side. Who are they going to get to manage and ultimately clean the the rentals with inconsistent and one-off check-ins? This will ultimately increase cleaning costs per use as it will get used more, which will be passed on to the customer. If the rooms aren't cleaned between each customer, their ratings will drop, which is the life blood of their business and future business.

Just a couple of things to think about looking at it from the other side.
 

Bigguns50

Platinum Contributor
FASTLANE INSIDER
Read Fastlane!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
200%
Feb 12, 2013
1,846
3,691
Sedona, AZ
Hey @StefanoUP , interesting idea. I have an Airbnb and I'll pose the question to my guests and give you some feedback. Very few of my guests request early check-ins. Most of them that arrive early just go out to eat or tour around. That being said, I'm curious for their feedback.
 

StefanoUP

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
84%
Aug 8, 2019
67
56
Europe
Hey Stefano,

My first thoughts were you were starting a hotel/Airbnb by the hour ... however, I think we all can agree, when travelling, it is horrible not being able to check into a hotel or place you are staying when you arrive.

You opened my eyes to the Dayrooms.com concept, had no idea it existed...so you may be on to something, especially giving owners a way to make some vs. no money on their rentals.

I understand you are attempting to build a platform and won't be involved in the day-to-day operations (at least in the houses/hotels being rented) being first thought was how this would look on the operation side. Who are they going to get to manage and ultimately clean the the rentals with inconsistent and one-off check-ins? This will ultimately increase cleaning costs per use as it will get used more, which will be passed on to the customer. If the rooms aren't cleaned between each customer, their ratings will drop, which is the life blood of their business and future business.

Just a couple of things to think about looking at it from the other side.

Thank you @Grinder20
I have not really thought about the cleaning part.
My point of view is that each owner would have to decide when they want to rent and make sure they have time to clean up before the next guest.
But you have a point and I might need to give it some more thoughts.
Anyway, I don't think this question is a show-stopper, do you ?
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

StefanoUP

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
84%
Aug 8, 2019
67
56
Europe
Hey @StefanoUP , interesting idea. I have an Airbnb and I'll pose the question to my guests and give you some feedback. Very few of my guests request early check-ins. Most of them that arrive early just go out to eat or tour around. That being said, I'm curious for their feedback.
Thanks @Bigguns50 , any feedback is welcome so it would be awsome to hear what your guest think about it :)
 

Grinder20

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
173%
May 28, 2019
124
215
Thank you @Grinder20
I have not really thought about the cleaning part.
My point of view is that each owner would have to decide when they want to rent and make sure they have time to clean up before the next guest.
But you have a point and I might need to give it some more thoughts.
Anyway, I don't think this question is a show-stopper, do you ?
Hi @StefanoUP,

Yes, I understand what you're trying to do. I don't think it is deal-breaker/show-stopper.

I think you're target market is business travelers, that need the space quickly.

- For an afternoon and don't want sit in a coffee shop for 4 hours.
- Flight arrives late and all they want to do is sleep.
- Long layover.
- Flight is cancelled.
 

StefanoUP

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
84%
Aug 8, 2019
67
56
Europe
I'm also thinking about people traveling for holidays and landing early (I experienced it, landing @8am and having to wait until 3pm to check-in)
For the late check-out I had a situation opposite to the above with a late flight and a check-out @10am, having a flight back @9pm so that I had to spend my time shopping or just staying in a mall for 10 hours :eek:.
In that case I would have loved to rent an appartment or room and would have had no problem to pay $20-$40 to stay in a quiet place where I could have worked or relaxed during those hours.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

Grinder20

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
173%
May 28, 2019
124
215
I'm also thinking about people traveling for holidays and landing early (I experienced it, landing @8am and having to wait until 3pm to check-in)
For the late check-out I had a situation opposite to the above with a late flight and a check-out @10am, having a flight back @9pm so that I had to spend my time shopping or just staying in a mall for 10 hours :eek:.
In that case I would have loved to rent an appartment or room and would have had no problem to pay $20-$40 to stay in a quiet place where I could have worked or relaxed during those hours.

Exactly!!
 

Tubs

Starting fresh
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
276%
Apr 5, 2019
258
711
VA
Thank you @Grinder20
I have not really thought about the cleaning part.
My point of view is that each owner would have to decide when they want to rent and make sure they have time to clean up before the next guest.
But you have a point and I might need to give it some more thoughts.
Anyway, I don't think this question is a show-stopper, do you ?


Maybe you could have a few general guidelines listed like having the customer clean the apartment before they leave, and to ensure that they do you could have a review system for both customers and apartments.

I could see that working pretty well. Like if a customer isn't much hassle and leaves the apartment clean they get a positive review and that leads future apartment renters to offer them better rates because they know the customer is a good one.
Can do the same thing for the apartments as well which would lead to people potentially paying more to rent an apartment with good ratings.
 

alord

Bronze Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
112%
Jun 8, 2019
111
124
I've been running a vacation rental (let's call it an Airbnb) for a while now and decided a year ago to only rent for at least 2 nights. Here's why:

- It's a huge hurdle to manage cleanings, sometimes the cleaning lady doesn't show up and you're screwed.
- People who only stay for one night have less time to experience the house, are more tired or in a hurry and more inclined to leave a lower review and make problems.
- Well, it's just one night... The price will prob not be worth the hassle.

I rent it in a beach place, the thought process could be totally different for someone in a big and business city. Hope it helps
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

StefanoUP

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
84%
Aug 8, 2019
67
56
Europe
Maybe you could have a few general guidelines listed like having the customer clean the apartment before they leave, and to ensure that they do you could have a review system for both customers and apartments.

I could see that working pretty well. Like if a customer isn't much hassle and leaves the apartment clean they get a positive review and that leads future apartment renters to offer them better rates because they know the customer is a good one.
Can do the same thing for the apartments as well which would lead to people potentially paying more to rent an apartment with good ratings.
That's a great idea! Thanks @Tubs :thumbsup:
Just wondering if people would actually use the site if they have to clean up. I guess it depends from customer to customer and maybe I should leave the 2 options:
1. cust cleans himself and gets discount
2. cust leaves it to the owner and pays full price
 

StefanoUP

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
84%
Aug 8, 2019
67
56
Europe
I've been running a vacation rental (let's call it an Airbnb) for a while now and decided a year ago to only rent for at least 2 nights. Here's why:

- It's a huge hurdle to manage cleanings, sometimes the cleaning lady doesn't show up and you're screwed.
- People who only stay for one night have less time to experience the house, are more tired or in a hurry and more inclined to leave a lower review and make problems.
- Well, it's just one night... The price will prob not be worth the hassle.

I rent it in a beach place, the thought process could be totally different for someone in a big and business city. Hope it helps
Thanks for your feedback @alord , this actually supports option 1 above
 

Tubs

Starting fresh
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
Summit Attendee
Speedway Pass
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
276%
Apr 5, 2019
258
711
VA
That's a great idea! Thanks @Tubs :thumbsup:
Just wondering if people would actually use the site if they have to clean up. I guess it depends from customer to customer and maybe I should leave the 2 options:
1. cust cleans himself and gets discount
2. cust leaves it to the owner and pays full price
My thinking was more that there'd just be a few general rules of conduct like the expectation that the room is left generally clean. And then you can have a rating system where the rentors could leave feedback on the rentees for example

(Positive Review) Great rentee, was hastle free and left the room with minimal mess.

Then when other rentors see the reviews they know the rentee is a quality customer and they might offer him a discount of their own volition. At the very least they'll covet rentees who have good reviews.
 
Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

StefanoUP

Contributor
Read Fastlane!
Read Unscripted!
User Power
Value/Post Ratio
84%
Aug 8, 2019
67
56
Europe
My thinking was more that there'd just be a few general rules of conduct like the expectation that the room is left generally clean. And then you can have a rating system where the rentors could leave feedback on the rentees for example

(Positive Review) Great rentee, was hastle free and left the room with minimal mess.

Then when other rentors see the reviews they know the rentee is a quality customer and they might offer him a discount of their own volition. At the very least they'll covet rentees who have good reviews.
I see what you mean, so the rentor would be the one deciding on the discount based on the rentee's reviews.
That might actually be easier to implement.
I'll assess this option in more details :)
Thanks for your inputs :thumbsup:
 

Post New Topic

Please SEARCH before posting.
Please select the BEST category.

Post new topic

Guest post submissions offered HERE.

New Topics

Fastlane Insiders

View the forum AD FREE.
Private, unindexed content
Detailed process/execution threads
Ideas needing execution, more!

Join Fastlane Insiders.

Top