Colin and Justin: Get a (luxury) room!

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How to live it large across the short term rental market

Joe Jonas tried it for size, and, according to reportage, loved every moment.  Mariah Carey (by her own admission) regularly indulges.  Hey, even ‘earth mother’ Gwyneth Paltrow loves the contemporary pursuit.

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Crystal healing? Tantric sex? Cat yoga? Actually none of the above: cue the ongoing phenomenon of Airbnb (www.airbnb.ca) and similar portals like VRBO (ww.vrbo.ca) and Vacasa (www.vacasa.ca).

It’s a phenomenon, one that makes Airbnb alone the world’s largest ‘hotel group’.  A hotel group that services more than three million rooms (surpassing Hilton, InterContinental and Marriott combined) yet owns precisely none.

So, do you have a spare room? An unused basement? A tree house (not so far fetched – there are loads spread across digital branches) or an attic with potential?

With high end, quirky abodes from Toronto to Vancouver, and Quebec to Calgary, hitting the $5K mark (per night), it’s a potentially lucrative side hustle. The burning question, however, is this: would you sacrifice your home’s privacy and open it up to strangers?

The virtual guest book’s allure, though (particularly at its top or ‘extreme’ echelon) is about more than simply the homes in which its global inventory is spread.

The indulgent roster excites because it offers the chance to tiptoe into other people’s lives – to step, as it were, into new shoes.

And not just any shoes – cue an inventory that corrals penthouses, mansions and dripping deluxe with every ‘extreme’ step: the Manolo Blahnik of rentals.

What’s not to love? Paying for extreme accommodation – by the night – is like shelling out for ‘tickle time’ with a lover who you might normally consider out of your league. You’ll leave titillated and begging for more: it’s the ultimate happy ending.

So with whom (sorry, where) would you like to crash? How about amongst Bloor Street’s glittering cognoscenti?

Nail a hard-core fashion fix in the footsteps of Hailey Baldwin (whose stay made potent TMZ fodder) with a shot of glossy Toronto luxury living – cue a private pool and gym, a Hastens bed and a home cinema.

With Yorkville on the doorstep, this celebrity high is a snip (?) at around $90k per month.  More info at https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/13788645

In Whistler, B.C, Heritage Peaks Estate is a modern seven- bedroom compound that offers more than 6,000 sq. ft. of amenities.

You’ll enjoy a hammam spa, ski in/ski out access, a private gondola, a hot tub and more.  The chalet boasts a backdrop befitting a Bond villain, with mountainous views and indulgent luxury at every lavish turn, from around $2K to $12K per night, according to dates. For more, visit https://tinyurl.com/4hhek5pd

So, the short term rental market: the saviour of travellers looking to live like locals no matter their destination? Or an Uber-style knife in the hotel industry’s chest, and the end of privacy as we know it?

If you’d like to turn a spare corner into a dazzling rental prospect, here’s how to emerge as a five-star host, rather than a 2-star let down.

• Provide accurate descriptions and deliver exactly what’s promised. There’s no scope for excuses like “Sorry the Wi-Fi’s down and we’re out of hot water.”
• Keep everything clean and neutral, with unfussy decor and linens, but ensure your prospect leaps off the screen with textiles and artwork.
• Safety is paramount: assess risk at every turn to ensure a safe guest experience.
• Don’t scrimp on comfort – employ the best bed you can afford: everyone wants a good night’s sleep.
• Install blackout drapery and provide extra pillows and blankets so guests can layer up, as required.
• Spend a little, gain a lot: extras like high-speed Internet, and Netflix, will enhance the experience and encourage repeat business.
• A high end coffee machine, quality teas and scented candles will help your offering feel like an indulgent suite, whilst a comfy sofa and desk, space permitting, will amplify the deal.
• Provide an exhaustive list of things to do (and places to eat) so visitors can properly enjoy your locale.
• Before hitting the market, try before you fly: spend the night in your own guest room to understand what works and what doesn’t.
• Finally – consult with your home insurer, and always inform your condo board, for approvals. Then, and only then, is it time to teak a short-term leap of faith…

Watch for Colin and Justin on Citytv’s Breakfast Television. Find the Colin and Justin Collection in stores across Canada. Visit www.colinandjustin.tv.