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Airbnb launches real-life "Up" house - and it actually floats!

<p>Airbnb is taking its latest listing to the sky - literally. </p> <p>The accommodation provider has announced a partnership that will see the iconic house from Pixar's hit film <em>Up</em> being lifted into the air, balloons and all. </p> <p>In their ongoing quest to redefine hospitality, Airbnb has launched a permanent category called “Icons,” which features partnerships with brands and celebrities that promise unforgettable experiences.</p> <p>Suspended over the New Mexico desert with the aid of a crane, the property looks like an exact replica of the home and contains adorable easter eggs from the film - including the Adventure Book. </p> <p>“Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination — until now,”  Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky said in a statement.</p> <p>“As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world … we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth." </p> <p>The house offers a stunning view of the desert, which you can enjoy while sitting on replica's of Ellie and Carl's chairs or have breakfast with a view in the kitchen. </p> <p>Alternatively, you could look at the stars while sitting on the front porch - but don't look down because the adventure is out there. </p> <p>Of course there are questions about the logistics of the stay, including plumbing and electricity, but the accommodation giant has assured that the house is “fully functional,” connected to generators and utilities that will be seamlessly managed before and after its flight.</p> <p>Other fantastical listings include a replica of the mansion from the “X-Men ’97” cartoon, a stay at the Ferrari Museum in Italy, and Prince's house that was featured in the legendary film <em>Purple Rain</em>. </p> <p>Check out the <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1126185893236246260?_set_bev_on_new_domain=1715826165_M2NkZDdkODdhMjcy&amp;source_impression_id=p3_1715826166_A20M4770EGAtl8AV&amp;modal=PHOTO_TOUR_SCROLLABLE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Up</em></a> listing here, be warned the sweet listing may make you shed a tear or two. </p> <p><em>Images: Airbnb</em></p> <p> </p>

Real Estate

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What are your rights as an Airbnb renter in Australia? A law expert answers 6 common questions

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-giancaspro-182268">Mark Giancaspro</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p>Airbnb has revolutionised the short-stay industry. Launched in 2008, it now eclipses the world’s biggest hotel chains. In Australia alone there are about <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-15/short-stay-rentals-airbnb-impact-on-australian-property-market/101019726">100,000 listed properties</a>.</p> <p>But in dealing with both a digital platform and a private owner (or “host”, in Airbnb-speak), your legal rights as a renter (or “guest”) can be unclear – at least without reading lengthy terms and conditions.</p> <p>This article answers six very common questions about using Airbnb in Australia. Please note that your legal rights may differ in other countries. Even if Airbnb’s terms and conditions are near identical – and they generally are – there may be differences in consumer laws.</p> <h2>What if an Airbnb property doesn’t match its description?</h2> <p>Airbnb’s <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/2908#6">terms and conditions</a> require the host to provide “complete and accurate information” about their property. Content, including photos, must be “up-to-date and accurate at all times”. Airbnb’s <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/2895/">Host Ground Rules</a> state that listings “should accurately describe the home and reflect the features and amenities that will be available”.</p> <p>If a property does not match its description or photos, <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/d/anz-prohost-resource-centre-support">report this to Airbnb</a>.</p> <p>False advertising will also likely breach the Australian Consumer Law, which prohibits (Section 18) commercial conduct that is misleading or deceptive or is likely to mislead or deceive. Report to the <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/report-a-consumer-issue">Australian Competition and Consumer Commission</a> here.</p> <p>There are no specific provisions to claim a refund or a discount for misleading listings. Your only recourse would seem be to initiate the cancellation policy that applies to your booking.</p> <h2>So when can I get a refund?</h2> <p>If you cancel your booking or leave the property early, your refund rights are determined by your <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/149">cancellation policy</a> (see “show trip details”).</p> <p>There are various <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/475">policies</a> (from which a host selects when listing). Most allow full refunds if you cancel one to five days prior to check-in, while others require up to 30 days’ notice or only provide partial refunds.</p> <p>If the host cancels on you, they <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/990">may be penalised</a> by Airbnb.</p> <h2>Can an Airbnb host impose harsh and unreasonable ‘house rules’?</h2> <p>If an owner wants to make rules against visitors without their permission or how many times you can use the washing machine, they generally can.</p> <p>When you rent a property through Airbnb, you are entering into a private agreement with the owner. Under contract law, they can stipulate whatever terms they like, so long as those rules aren’t illegal.</p> <p>What Australian Consumer Law does prohibit are <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/business/selling-products-and-services/contracts#toc-unfair-terms-in-standard-form-contracts-">unfair terms</a> in standard form “consumer contracts” – which an Airbnb contract likely qualifies as. An unfair term is one that:</p> <ul> <li>causes a significant imbalance in your rights and obligations</li> <li>is not reasonably necessary to protect the host’s interests</li> <li>would cause you detriment (financial or otherwise) if it was enforced.</li> </ul> <p>The problem is that you will need to sue the host (that is, initiate civil litigation) to prove this.</p> <p>Your best option is to carefully review the rules before you confirm your reservation. Once you confirm, you are legally agreeing to all of the host’s terms whether you’ve read and understood them or not.</p> <p>If you disagree with a rule, ask the host to waive or amend it. If they won’t budge, your choice is to book or not.</p> <h2>What are the boundaries for an Airbnb host/owner?</h2> <p>Hosts are <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/3057">required</a> to ensure every property is secure and safe. Airbnb’s Community Policy states properties must be properly lockable and free of hazards, and hosts must be responsive and willing to answer guest queries within a reasonable time.</p> <p><a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/3060?_set_bev_on_new_domain=1691395791_NmY1ZDNmZjQxZjQy">According to Airbnb</a>, a host cannot physically intrude or interfere with your stay. They can only re-enter their property (or a guest’s room in a shared stay) if there is an emergency or with express permission.</p> <p>In a shared stay, the host must not enter the bathrooms or guest bedrooms when the guests are inside. The host is also forbidden from sharing private details, photos, or videos of you without consent.</p> <p>Where your safety is threatened, you should contact law enforcement and notify Airbnb. If you decide to leave, you may be entitled to a partial refund. Your rights depend on the cancellation policy applying to your booking (discussed further below).</p> <h2>If I am injured in or get sick because of an Airbnb property, can I claim compensation?</h2> <p><a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/2908#4.2">Clause 4.2</a> of Airbnb’s terms and conditions states that, by staying at a listed property, you acknowledge and “freely and willfully” accept the risk of “illness, bodily injury, disability, or death”.</p> <p>Further, clause 19 contains a broad disclaimer absolving Airbnb of any liability for “personal or bodily injury or emotional distress” incurred in using its services. Clause 20 also contains an indemnity preventing you from making any claim against Airbnb in relation to your stay.</p> <p>This gives Airbnb legal protection. But you may make a claim against the host.</p> <p>The first step would be to formally write to the host outlining your claim. Airbnb may also assist with any disputes. If this fails, you can sue the host but whether the cost and effort is worth it will depend on the extent of your injury or illness.</p> <p>If you do make any claim against the host, they will likely rely on Airbnb’s insurance. Every Airbnb host is insured up to US$1 million (about A$1.5 million) through Airbnb’s <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/3145">Host Liability Insurance Programme</a>. This covers any bodily injuries incurred by guests (or others) and damage to or theft of any property belonging to a guest (or others).</p> <p>There are some exceptions to what Airbnb’s insurance will cover, such as intentional violence, mould and communicable disease. If you want compensation for something the host is personally liable for, you are more likely to have to take legal action, using a lawyer. Consider the costs carefully.</p> <h2>What’s the maximum cleaning/damages fee an Airbnb host can charge?</h2> <p>Cleaning fees are <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/2812">set by the host</a>. Airbnb provides a <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/help/article/3171">pricing tool</a> to help them calculate a reasonable fee – generally <a href="https://www.igms.com/airbnb-cleaning-fee/">based on size and facilities</a> – but there is no maximum, presumably on the rationale that market forces (and reviews) will deter hosts from charging too much.</p> <p>Nor is there a maximum damages fee. You can formally <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/d/anz-prohost-resource-centre-support">dispute the amount</a> with Airbnb, which will determine if it is reasonable, relying on information provided by both parties.</p> <p>Charging exorbitant prices is not illegal though Australian Consumer Law does prohibit “<a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/business/selling-products-and-services/unfair-business-practices#toc-unconscionable-conduct">unconscionable conduct</a>”. But, again, you need to initiate legal proceedings and have a court agree you deserve compensation.</p> <h2>Where to go for help and advice</h2> <p>You can <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/d/anz-prohost-resource-centre-support">contact Airbnb</a> for any account, listing, or reservation-related questions. Online forums can also be useful for advice and support.</p> <p>You can report consumer complaints to the <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/about-us/contact-us/report-a-consumer-issue">Australian Competition and Consumer Commission</a> but the federal regulator does not resolve individual complaints or provide legal advice on your rights and obligations. For preliminary advice go to the following state and territory consumer advice agencies:</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="lhlWv" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/lhlWv/2/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <hr /> <p><em>Please note this article does not constitute legal advice. If you need legal advice, consult a lawyer.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211026/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></em></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mark-giancaspro-182268">Mark Giancaspro</a>, Senior Lecturer in Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-your-rights-as-an-airbnb-renter-in-australia-a-law-expert-answers-6-common-questions-211026">original article</a>.</em></p>

Legal

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"I'd ban their whole operation": Tiny sticker highlights huge crisis

<p>From advertisements to artwork there’s no escaping stickers on street poles, but one that was spotted in Melbourne has made waves, calling out a glaring issue that is impacting so many Australians.</p> <p>The sticker in question was stuck to a traffic light in Melbourne and appears to take aim at homeowners who are worsening the national housing crisis by listing their properties as short-term Airbnb stays rather than long-term rentals.</p> <p>The sticker, shared to social media reads, “You wouldn’t open an Airbnb in a housing crisis” a spoof of the mid-2000s ‘Piracy. It’s a crime.’ public service announcement that was played before movies.</p> <p>Images of the sticker have been shared across a number of social media platforms, with many people quick to praise the “genius” DIY PSA and requesting copies to stick around their suburbs on lockboxes in their own apartment complexes.</p> <p>While some found the funny side of the message, others were more critical of the sticker calling out landlords and Airbnb.</p> <p>“You wouldn’t incentivise opening an Airbnb by making it less onerous and more profitable than renting out your property,” someone said.</p> <p>“Course they would,” another responded. “The ‘f**k you, got mine’ mindset is getting stronger.”</p> <p>“If I had my way I’d ban their [Airbnb] whole operation overnight.”</p> <p>The issue of short-term holiday letting and the growth of Airbnb across the country is that it's eating up potential long-term rentals, which is a</p> <p>The calls come amid the rental crisis in Victoria, with vacancy rates reaching a record low of 0.8 per cent in Melbourne in April 2023, which is one of the better rates recorded across Australia as new rental listings dropped by 18.9 per cent.</p> <p>The only capital city to have rental vacancy above one per cent is Canberra, at 1.6 per cent. While Adelaide holds the tightest rental market with a mere 0.3 per cent vacancy. Perth is close behind at 0.4 per cent.</p> <p>Sydney’s new listings fell by 17 per cent in April 2023 and 5.1 per cent in the past year while Melbourne dropped by 20.8 per cent in the span of a month, and 17.9 per cent in the past year, according to PropTrack.</p> <p>The NSW government introduced regulations to limit the time a property could be on the market to 180 days a year. The Victorian Greens have called on the Andrew’s government to strip it to 90 days.</p> <p>A similar, “tourism tax” has been introduced to cities overseas, where a small payment is added to the guest’s bill in certain tourism hot spots each night in a big to funnel money back into local communities’ infrastructure.</p> <p>Airbnb told <em>The Age</em> that a statewide tourism levy was the preferred way to regulate the industry as it is more consistent than a council-by-council approach.</p> <p>“We believe tourism levies are a fair and sustainable way to raise revenue for local communities, especially in areas of high tourism, as they broaden the revenue base without imposing an additional burden on local ratepayers or businesses,” Airbnb Australia and New Zealand’s head of public policy Michael Crosby told the outlet.</p> <p>Speaking to <em>news.com.au</em>, Airbnb's country manager for Australia and New Zealand Susan Wheeldon said the platform had proposed a series of measures to “help build stronger communities, foster sustainable tourism growth, and equip governments across Australia with tools to help address important issues, such as housing affordability and amenity”.</p> <p>It included a statewide registration scheme to document new listings, introducing consistent Codes of Conduct for guests, hosts, and communities, as well as support for government reviews of eviction protections.</p> <p>“Airbnb is keen to work together with a broad range of stakeholders and help play a part in helping to provide meaningful solutions and tackle the issue of housing supply and affordability,” Wheeldon said.</p> <p>“While short term rentals generally comprise a tiny proportion of the overall property market, we’re keen to keep finding ways that we can make a positive contribution to this important issue.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Reddit</em></p>

Real Estate

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Infamous Coffin Confessor offers guests the chance to sleep like the dead

<p>Some of the best ideas in life come from a quiet night at home with our thoughts, as well as some of the most unique. </p> <p>Or, as the case may be with the Coffin Confessor, some worth ‘dying’ for. </p> <p>Bill Edgar, who rose to the public eye when he began offering his services as a ‘coffin confessor’ sharing the secrets of the terminally ill at their funerals, was lounging around and enjoying a few ports when inspiration struck him, and his new venture was set into motion. </p> <p>As Bill told <em>Sunrise</em>, “I thought ‘I’ve got a great property for camping’. A lot of people have been intrigued about the Coffin Confessor, [and] I thought, ‘well, why not coffin camping.’</p> <p>“Lo and behold, here we are.”</p> <p>And so, Bill’s unique take on an Airbnb stay - and trying before you buy - took off, with the enthusiastic entrepreneur offering guests the opportunity to embrace their inner vampire and catch some sleep inside of a coffin. A real coffin, no less.</p> <p>Situated in the Gold Coast hinterland’s Tamborine Mountains, Bill’s experience is a far cry from your average bloodsuckers. No tombstones linger around every corner, guests won’t be walking face first into any cobwebs every second step, and the coffins are - as Bill explained - “nice and warm”.</p> <p>The most common question Bill - who already has six bookings for his experience - gets is over whether or not they are actually real coffins. The simple answer? Absolutely. </p> <p>He was quick to assure potential customers that they can’t become trapped in there, and they shouldn’t be dreadfully uncomfortable, as “you can’t suffocate and you can’t lock yourselves in because I’ve taken the locks out. They’ve all been modified for protection, obviously.”</p> <p>As well as the coffin cabin - which looks to be a modified shipping container - comes ‘the main room’, which Bill described as somewhere guests could “enjoy”. He went on to explain that they could make themselves a coffee there, or breakfast, all while enjoying the “quirky” experience and stunning views the location has to offer. </p> <p>“It’s a lot of fun, it’s different,” Bill declared. “And, you know what, at the end of the day thousands of people - even millions of people - will swag. They lay in swags … just a glorified body bag.”</p> <p>And to wrap it all up, he noted that “we’re all going to die. I suppose it’s now getting to the point where people can now talk about it without it getting creepy, or anything like that.</p> <p>“I think people will always be intrigued about death and the afterlife.</p> <p>“Try before you die.”</p> <p><em>Images: Sunrise / Seven</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Here’s how you can bag a night at Bag End

<p dir="ltr">While many visitors to New Zealand’s Hobbit movie set have gone there and back again, no-one has had the chance to stay overnight - until now that is.</p> <p dir="ltr">In celebration of the 10th anniversary of <em>The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey</em>, Airbnb will be offering a few lucky fans the opportunity to spend the night at the original movie set.</p> <p dir="ltr">Winners will score one of three overnight stays at the set in Waikato, with access to the Hobbit Holes, Millhouse and The Green Dragon Inn, a private tour of the movie set, and an evening banquet in the Green Dragon - think beef and ale stew, fresh bread, chickens and ale.</p> <p dir="ltr">Two decades after the working farm caught the attention of <em>Lord of the Rings</em> director Peter Jackson, the farm’s owner Russell Alexander said he was excited to offer guests the experience of living like a Hobbit.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve welcomed millions of passionate fans to the Hobbiton Movie Set, but never before has anyone had the opportunity to spend a night in Middle-earth,”he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I am delighted to share the beauty of my family’s farm and pleased to be hosting this iconic location on Airbnb for fans from around the world.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The three two-night stays will come with a four-guest limit and cost $NZ 10 ($AU 9.46) a night to mark the 10th anniversary.</p> <p dir="ltr">Each of the stays will take place on March 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unsurprisingly, there are some rules for the lucky guests who stay on-set, with plenty of references to the <em>Hobbit </em>and <em>Lord of the Rings</em> sagas, including “no unexpected parties”, “magical rings permitted, but keep them secret, keep them safe”, “straying far at night is discouraged, thanks to multiple troll sightings of late”, and “pony parking” available only at the Green Dragon Inn.</p> <p dir="ltr">To go in the running, applicants can request to book one of the stays from Wednesday December 14.</p> <p dir="ltr">Applicants must have a history of positive reviews on Airbnb, have an Airbnb profile and be over the age of 18.</p> <p dir="ltr">To enter, head <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/hobbiton/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-60557783-7fff-febe-b850-1e33b85026da"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Airbnb</em></p>

Real Estate

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Best Airbnb Host of the Year awarded

<p dir="ltr">The winner of the Best Airbnb Host of the Year for 2022 has been awarded.</p> <p dir="ltr">Carla Dawes’ 14-acre Olinda Cottage in Alstonvale in New South Wales' Northern Rivers region was awarded the Best Airbnb Host of the Year.</p> <p dir="ltr">The stunning listing is sprinkled with a mix of personal touches, unexpected inclusions and warm and welcoming experiences such as homemade meals, and fresh flowers.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I also have a little book of the best cafes and restaurants and as a traveller I appreciate that," Carla told A Current Affair.</p> <p dir="ltr">Not only does Carla keep everything personal, but she goes above and beyond with everything she does.</p> <p dir="ltr">Carla greets all her guests upon arrival and is available to answer all questions about the property as she watches them take in the beautiful home and its views.</p> <p dir="ltr">Around the house, Carla also leaves chocolates, freshly baked sourdough, muesli bars, Byron Bay cookies and fresh flowers.</p> <p dir="ltr">Carla strives to ensure her guests feel welcome and at ease from the moment they arrive, with Olinda Cottage designed as a retreat to slow down and recharge in a little piece of luxurious heaven.</p> <p dir="ltr">Further to that, Carla once also helped with a proposal for one of her guests on the luxurious 5 star property.</p> <p dir="ltr">When she was awarded the Best Airbnb Host of the Year, Judge Susan Wheeldon said that Carla had created something magical.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Carla epitomises what makes a stand out Host,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Carla goes above and beyond to ensure her guests have the most memorable experience with many guests coming back as repeat visitors to enjoy Carla’s warm hospitality and the magical stay she has created at her beautiful home.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Airbnb</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Did Dad book us into a doghouse by mistake?

<p>There are some things in life that you can’t leave up to dads alone and booking the accomodation for the family holiday is one of them.</p> <p>Kylie Keefe’s dad was trusted with the difficult task and accidentally made a huge mistake. He somehow managed to book a tiny house for the family of 4 grown adults and two big dogs.</p> <p>Sharing the funny mishap on TikTok, which has been viewed over 29 million times, Kylie said: “So my dad rented this Airbnb for four people and two dogs for four nights.”</p> <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@kyliekeefe2/video/7130339777303498030" data-video-id="7130339777303498030"> <section><a title="@kyliekeefe2" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kyliekeefe2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@kyliekeefe2</a> so my dad rented this Airbnb for four people and 2 dogs for two nights <a title="fyp" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#fyp</a> <a title="airbnb" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/airbnb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#airbnb</a> <a title="tinyhome" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/tinyhome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#tinyhome</a> <a title="♬ original sound - Kylie Keefe" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7130339750841617198" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - Kylie Keefe</a></section> </blockquote> <p>Viewers have compared the property to a child’s dollhouse and some even suggested they’d all have to sleep standing up.</p> <p>"That's the dog house," one person commented, while another added: "I'm sure Dad is bragging about how good of a deal he got."</p> <p>Kylie’s stepmum, Erika, shared a tiny house tour, showing a double bed on a mezzanine level as well as two “pullout chairs” which were expected to turn into beds.</p> <p>The property managers of the tiny house, ACL Tiny Houses, later confirmed that Kylie’s dad had accidentally booked for two people instead of four.</p> <p>However the listing said it “sleeps three comfortably”. There are also two other tiny houses nearby that can be booked on the same property.</p> <p>Kylie confirmed that the actual Airbnb was very cute and they were simply laughing at their dad’s mistake.</p> <p><em>Image: TikTok</em></p>

Real Estate

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Outrage after 1830s "slave cabin" listed for rent

<p>Airbnb have copped an online slating after one of their listings, which was advertised as a bed and breakfast, was exposed as a former slave cabin. </p> <p>A user on TikTok found “The Panther Burn Cottage at Belmont Plantation” listing in Greenville, Mississippi, which was described as an “1830s slave cabin” and used as a “tenant sharecropper’s cabin”.</p> <p>The property was available to rent for $165 per night, and was slammed by TikTokker and lawyer Wynton Yates, who expressed his shock over the property saying it was anything but quaint and charming as described by some of its guests in reviews.</p> <p>“This is not OK in the least bit,” he said.</p> <p>“And I know there’s going to be someone saying ‘Oh you’re looking for controversy where it doesn’t exist.’ No."</p> <p>“This is an 1830s slave cabin up on Airbnb as a bed and breakfast."</p> <p>“They say it in the listing, ‘This particular structure, the Panther Burn Cabin, is an 1830s slave cabin from the extant Panther Burn Plantation to the south of Belmont.’"</p> <p>“How is this OK in someone’s mind to rent this out? A place where human beings were kept as slaves.”</p> <p>While the listing itself was alarming, what really concerned and infuriated Wynton was the reviews from previous guests. </p> <p>“We stayed in the sharecropper cabin and ate in the main house. The house tour was great and so was the breakfast,” one review read.</p> <p>“’We stayed in the cabin and it was a historic but elegant’ – a slave cabin is elegant?” a furious Wynton asked.</p> <p>“The history of slavery in this country is constantly denied and now it is being mocked by being turned into a luxurious vacation spot.”</p> <p>Wynton's video was viewed over 3 million times, which prompted Airbnb to remove the listing entirely. </p> <p>“Properties that formerly housed the enslaved have no place on Airbnb,” Airbnb said in a statement to <a title="www.usatoday.com" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2022/08/01/airbnb-banning-former-slave-quarters/10209183002/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">USA Today</a>.</p> <p>“We apologise for any trauma or grief created by the presence of this listing, and others like it, and that we did not act sooner to address this issue.”</p> <p>The company said it’s working with experts on developing new policies for dealing with properties tied to slavery.</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Real Estate

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Here’s your chance to live like a gangster in the Godfather mansion

<p dir="ltr">Fans of<em> The Godfather</em> have the chance to live like a Corleone for a month, with the house featured in the iconic gangster movies opening its doors to one lucky person and up to four of their friends.</p> <p dir="ltr">To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Francis Coppola’s <em>The Godfather</em>, AirBnb is offering up the Staten Island mansion featured in the films to rent for one month but there’s a catch: there’s only one reservation available.</p> <p dir="ltr">Between August 1-31, the lucky guest can enjoy the 1930s home and its luxe amenities, including a large saltwater pool, a basement pub, a game room, and a gym.</p> <p dir="ltr">As with AirBnb’s previous unique stays, the chosen guests will need to organise getting to and from the mansion, since travel isn’t included in the price.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since the five-bedroom, seven-bathroom abode is usually a family home, stays are strictly limited to five people or fewer with no outside guests allowed.</p> <p dir="ltr">The stay comes after another home featured in the trilogy <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/movies/a-castle-from-the-godfather-is-up-for-grabs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hit the market</a> earlier this year, and is still available to purchase for a whopping €6 million ($AUD 8.78 or $NZD 9.77 million).</p> <p dir="ltr">To be in the running for a stay you can’t refuse, apply to book by 3am AEST (or 5am NZST) on Thursday, July 28 via <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/654402388376149877?irgwc=1&irclid=3SIwdd0duxyNUNxXd%3AQSRQA0UkD3DW0Zty2mSQ0&ircid=4273&sharedid=the-godfather-mansion-airbnb&af=&iratid=9627&c=.pi73.pk4273_1957199&irparam1=&source_impression_id=p3_1658895629_%2Bdy%2FFjhhdAmPq55R" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Airbnb website</a>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-41601af1-7fff-60a2-3b2d-9daf40404ed6"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images / AirBnb</em></p>

Real Estate

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How to avoid being scammed for your next holiday

<p dir="ltr">It’s almost time to book your next overseas holiday but before you do, you need to be wary of some sneaky scams out there. </p> <p dir="ltr">From fake hotel bookings to literally unbelievable deals, these tricks are sure to keep holiday seekers thousands of dollars out of pocket. </p> <p dir="ltr">And scammers know when to strike, particularly when almost everyone has barely had a holiday in two years due to the pandemic. </p> <p dir="ltr">"The scammers know that the tsunami of bookings is coming. So they're really trying to make sure they can capitalise on this pent-up demand as well," Australian Traveller's Quentin Long told Today.</p> <p dir="ltr">He explained that one of the best scams out there is when someone books a stunning Airbnb but when the client arrives, the place simply doesn't exist.</p> <p dir="ltr">"You turn up to the address and there's no property there. They have done a lot to clean that up, but it still happens," Mr Long said.</p> <p dir="ltr">He recommends doing a thorough search of the property and to also read Google reviews to see what others have experienced or not. </p> <p dir="ltr">Another red flag to keep an eye out for are places that only have a PO Box as their address or simple spelling errors.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Then there's the more sophisticated ones where you will see a deal on a website. It looks legitimate and they actually do the transaction," Mr Long continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">"They send you a booking confirmation and it has your name on it. It looks absolutely normal, legitimate and trustworthy. The problem is they have used a stolen credit card to book that travel on your behalf."</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Long suggests booking with an Australian company to avoid being scammed and to have travel insurance as well. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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How to tell if your AirBnb has a hidden camera

<p dir="ltr">While there are a lot of things that come to mind when planning a holiday, worrying about safety in your accommodation is probably at the end of your list. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, with a rise of home-rental services and the easy accessibility to surveillance technology, it's an important thing to consider. </p> <p dir="ltr">More and more travellers have come forward in recent years about their horror stories of discovering a hidden camera in a short term rental, putting out the warning to others.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a now-viral video posted to TikTok by Marcus Hutchins, he outlines how to spot hidden cameras in hotels and Airbnbs.  </p> <p dir="ltr">“Take this fire alarm for instance, it is placed right above the bed,” the British backpacker says in the video.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Now one way to see if the device is a camera is to shine a bright light at it. If you hit a camera lens it’s going to get a blue-ish reflection.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Marcus also details how alarm clocks can double as cameras, as he demonstrates in his video by shining his smart phone's flash on a mirrored clock face revealing a tiny camera lens behind the screen on one side of the digital counter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If we shine a bright light at it, we can shine through the glass, and see there’s a camera there. Now, this technique can also work on two-way mirrors.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The video has racked up over 5 million views, and has served as another reminder to always be cautious when travelling. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Tips

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Airbnb unveils biggest changes in over a decade

<p dir="ltr">Airbnb has announced new ways to search for and book homes on the platform in response to the rise of remote work and the number of customers choosing longer stays.</p> <p dir="ltr">The new features include the ability to more easily divide trips between two homes when options for longer stays are limited. As well as a search tool that surfaces properties via specific categories, such as whether the house offers "creative spaces," a chef's kitchen or a pool.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The way people travel has changed forever," Brian Chesky, Airbnb's cofounder and CEO, said in a statement. Chesky touted the new features as "the biggest change to Airbnb in a decade."</p> <p dir="ltr">The updates come as Airbnb recently reported business was booming again after taking a hit from the pandemic. </p> <p dir="ltr">The company said nearly half of the nights booked on Airbnb in the last three months were for trips of a week or longer.</p> <p dir="ltr">Chesky suggested the new 'Split Stays' feature, which allows customers to book back-to-back stays at multiple homes in the same area, is intended to meet this shift in demand.</p> <p dir="ltr">Chesky said this new way to search comes after people have become "more flexible about where they live and work," a trend that Airbnb has also embraced by allowing its employees to "live and work anywhere."</p> <p dir="ltr">The company also announced bolstered travel protections for guests, which will be included for free with every booking.</p> <p dir="ltr">Known as 'AirCover' -  the protections offer users similar accommodations or refunds if their booking was cancelled, if they can't check into a home, or if the listing wasn't as advertised. Moreover, the company said customers will get access to a 24-hour safety line if they ever feel unsafe during their stay.</p> <p dir="ltr">The new way to search (dubbed 'Airbnb Categories'), lets users look for places to stay using 56 categories based on a home's style, including options for tiny homes and yurts, as well as location and proximity to a travel activity.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8666666666666667; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; padding: -3pt 0pt 15pt 0pt;"><em>Image: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3d033f17-7fff-ff6e-d629-ef586e50c1b3"></span></p>

Travel Tips

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Spend the night in the iconic windmill of the Moulin Rouge

<p>For the first time and for three nights only, three couples will have the chance to sleep in the iconic windmill of the Moulin Rouge in this totally new and unique experience!</p> <p>The interior of the windmill, which has never been used since its creation in 1889, has been entirely converted into a beautiful room, decorated in the style of the Belle-Epoque, as a return to the past at the time of the creation of the Moulin Rouge, which celebrates its 133rd anniversary this year. </p> <p>This unique project is a collaboration with AirBnb, which regularly offers exceptional nights in extraordinary places where no one has ever slept, such as the Louvre, Dracula Castle, the Paris Aquarium, the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, etc.  </p> <p>How to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience? By being the first to book on the Airbnb website on D-Day (simultaneously all over the world) for a symbolic 1 euro.</p> <p>The six lucky winners of the privileged programme will receive:</p> <p>- a night in the windmill of the Moulin Rouge</p> <p>- a historical visit of the Moulin Rouge with the discovery of some exclusive pieces from its archives</p> <p>- a visit of the backstage and costume workshops</p> <p>- the "Belle Époque" dinner in the mythical venue</p> <p>- a viewing of the iconic Féerie show with its 60 artists on stage</p> <p>- a backstage meeting with the artists</p> <p>- breakfast on the terrace under the wings of the windmill</p> <p>Travellers will be able to book from Tuesday May 17th at 7pm CEST on <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/593359991462196922/photos?source_impression_id=p3_1651628434_vn7jlMJV9hfi4nNV" target="_blank" rel="noopener">airbnb.com/moulinrouge</a>. </p> <p>The three individual stays will take place on June 13th, 20th and 27th, if you are lucky enough to score the win. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Supplied</em></p>

Real Estate

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Woman discovers her home was listed on Airbnb by a stranger

<p dir="ltr">A woman has shared her terrifying experience of when she discovered a stranger had listed her home for rent on Airbnb. </p> <p dir="ltr">American doctor Shireen Heidari tried desperately to contact Airbnb after realising her home had been listed without her knowledge or consent. </p> <p dir="ltr">Taking to Twitter to speak about the incident, Dr Heidari said when she initially contacted the person who posted the fraudulent listing, they offered her the option to book her own home.</p> <p dir="ltr">She said, "Someone has listed my home as their rental, and when I messaged them asking them to take it down, they offered option to book my own home."</p> <p dir="ltr">"We reported it, but the listing is still active. This is not ok."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/Airbnb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Airbnb</a> - I would really appreciate you contacting me. Someone has listed my home as their rental, and when I messaged them asking them to take it down, they offered option to book my own home. We reported it, but the listing is still active. This is not ok.</p> <p>— Shireen Heidari, MD (@ShireenNHeidari) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShireenNHeidari/status/1503606888725770243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">After sharing the public message online, Shireen's tweet went viral with supportive people reaching out to Airbnb on her behalf to have the listing taken down. </p> <p dir="ltr">The company eventually responded and took her home off the site, after Shireen showed proof that the house was in fact hers. </p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7702fac8-7fff-3ba4-a428-242ae8548774">She updated her Twitter followers saying, “Update: the listing is down after being reported as fraudulent. We provided proof of ownership. Still not clear what next steps are.”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Update: the listing is down after being reported as fraudulent. We provided proof of ownership. Still not clear what next steps are. </p> <p>There were many messages and calls throughout today. With gratitude to the customer service rep who stayed on line at 11pm to help sort it. <a href="https://t.co/tS5ewuOoOD">https://t.co/tS5ewuOoOD</a></p> <p>— Shireen Heidari, MD (@ShireenNHeidari) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShireenNHeidari/status/1503626984441606144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">She also went on to thank the Airbnb representative who stayed on the phone with her until 11pm to help her sort out getting the listing removed. </p> <p dir="ltr">In response to Shireen’s ordeal, many people chimed in to share similar experiences with Airbnb. </p> <p dir="ltr">"When we were selling our house, someone hijacked the pictures and were trying to rent it. Several people came over to tour it," one person said. "Be careful.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Twitter</em><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ff9bbf14-7fff-5cd1-8ac4-7d71e3760805" style="white-space: normal;"></span></span></p>

Home & Garden

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Why people are booking stays in Ukraine with NO plans to check in

<p dir="ltr">While the people of Ukraine are navigating air-raid sirens, fleeing their homes and frantically messaging family for updates, they are also being inundated with Airbnb booking requests. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, those people booking properties in Ukraine don’t wish to come for a holiday. </p> <p dir="ltr">Instead, these accommodation requests are part of a creative social media campaign to funnel money to besieged Ukrainians in need of financial support. </p> <p dir="ltr">Users have even requested to book a one-bedroom apartment in Ukraine’s capital that belongs to politician Volodymyr Bondarenko, to which he responds with heart-felt emojis to say thank you. </p> <p dir="ltr">The initiative began when Russian forces started to bomb Ukraine and cut off essential services, with people all around the world wanting to help. </p> <p dir="ltr">The idea has quickly gathered momentum, with international guests “booked” for more than 61,000 nights in Ukraine, according to an Airbnb spokesperson.</p> <p dir="ltr">More than half of those nights were booked by Americans, with people from Australia and the United Kingdom also contributing greatly. </p> <p dir="ltr">"More than 10 bookings came in today. This was surprising, it's very supportive at the moment," Mr Bondarenko, 36, told CNN early Friday.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I told many of my relatives and friends that I plan to use this money to help our people who need it at this time."</p> <p dir="ltr">As well as the payments for their homes, those making the bookings are also leaving messages of support for the residents of Ukraine. </p> <p dir="ltr">New York City resident Anne Margaret Daniel “booked” a stunning apartment in Kyiv, and left a message for the host saying, "I hope that you, and your lovely apartment, are safe and that this horrible war is over ... and Ukraine is safe."</p> <p dir="ltr">"I will come and see you one day, please count on it, and will stay with you when we visit. God bless you and God be with you, your city, your country."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Tips

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Inside the world’s most expensive Airbnb

<p dir="ltr">If you are in the market for the most luxurious holiday experience you could possibly imagine, then look no further than Casa Tau. </p> <p dir="ltr">The resort is located on the white sandy beaches of Mexico, and will set you back $20,750AUD per night, or $234,800 per week. </p> <p dir="ltr">The luxe villa has recently been revealed as the world’s most expensive Airbnb, with an extraordinary list of amenities to justify the hefty price tag. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/luxury/listing/30417501?source_impression_id=p3_1646011614_0Fvm46BCI%2BOjEwCp&amp;guests=11&amp;adults=11&amp;check_in=2022-06-26&amp;check_out=2022-07-03">online listing</a>, the resort boasts 12 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms across the main villa and two adjoining guest houses. </p> <p dir="ltr">On top of all the regular hotel luxuries such as coffee machines, full kitchen, smart TVs and many more, Casa Tau comes with a heated infinity pool, spa, a full serviced bar, a stone pizza oven and beach volleyball area. </p> <p dir="ltr">The extraordinary price of Casa Tau also includes 8 housekeeping staff, 2 chefs, 8 butlers and 2 concierges to make sure your every need is met during your stay. </p> <p dir="ltr">The villa has private beach access to the picturesque Mexican ocean and all the adjoining beach clubs and golf courses. </p> <p dir="ltr">Built in December 2018, the villa is on the exclusive Punta Mita 600-hectare peninsula on the southwest coast of Mexico, which is a popular holiday destination for many celebrities. </p> <p dir="ltr">With all these high-end finishes and opulent amenities, it’s no wonder this slice of paradise comes at such a steep cost. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Airbnb</em></p>

International Travel

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10 signs you're about to fall for a bad Airbnb listing

<p>When looking for accommodation for a next holiday, many people turn to the rentals listed on Airbnb. Although many are amazing, some are not so great.</p><p>We talk to experts who shed light on some of the key indicators that a rental may not be all it’s cracked up to be, or worse, that you’re about to fall for an Airbnb scam.</p><p><strong>Photos that leave you with more questions that answers</strong></p><p>The best listings will provide a virtual photo tour of the space you will temporarily call home.</p><p>On the other end of the spectrum, a questionable listing will have photos of the outside area, the neighbourhood, and the street … but not what you care about the most: the bedroom, the bathroom and the kitchen, says chief digital officer Nerissa Marbury, who has booked everything from entire homes to private rooms in 12 cities across five countries.</p><p>“If the listing has limited photos, it doesn’t hurt to ask the host for more photos. And if the host offers a lame excuse as to why this isn’t possible, be wary,” she says.</p><p><strong>You can't find any reviews...</strong></p><p>When you’re shopping for anything from a mattress to a blender, what information is most valuable to you? Reviews from internet strangers, your friends, your neighbour – anyone who will provide insight about their experience.</p><p>The same goes for an Airbnb listing. If there are little to no reviews, you should proceed with caution, says Sara Mosadegh, an Airbnb host and property manager. While, sure, every new listing will start from square one, if you are considering booking a listing with no feedback and a host who isn’t responding, run away!</p><p><strong>...or you are only finding negative reviews</strong></p><p>You might find a property with tons of reviews – but are any of them peachy? The only thing worse than no feedback is negative criticisms of a listing, says Mosadegh.</p><p>“Reviews that say negative things about wifi, neighbours, or neighbourhood safety are important to sort through. That’s why you should take the time to read all reviews and dig deep,” she explains.</p><p>She also recommends following up on reviews that mention construction, since that could change or improve over time. “Review comments may not be a deal breaker but are always something you should weigh up,” she adds.</p><p><strong>You aren't finding photos that match the description</strong></p><p>Use your investigative skills to see if the description matches the pictures provided, urges Jessica Norak, a travel writer and Airbnb frequent traveller.</p><p>“If the text says ‘luxury apartment’ and you see chipped paint, uneven concrete floors, and little furniture pictured, it probably is not a luxury apartment,” she explains.</p><p>“Be sure to check the photos that have been verified or taken by Airbnb, and use those to inform what you think the apartment will be like, rather than the description, if the two do not match.”</p><p><strong>You can't believe the price</strong></p><p>Finding a good deal is often a double-edged sword: saving money is always a bonus, but it’s important to understand why a place is far below market value compared with other listings, says digital nomad and frequent Airbnb guest Veronica Silva.</p><p>As she puts it, there’s often a reason, so don’t just believe you scored a budget-friendly option right off the bat. “Maybe the neighbourhood is not great, or the place itself is lacking something and the host is just trying to make up for it,” she explains.</p><p>When in doubt, you should ask your potential host to provide further insight on how he or she arrived at the rate.</p><p><strong>You're finding errors</strong></p><p>Sure, not everyone is a writer or an expert on grammar, but if you keep finding contradictions in the listing, you have reason to raise an eyebrow.</p><p>As Marbury says, sometimes there are honest-to-goodness typos because the host has more than one listing or isn’t a native English speaker, but if you are reading about a “backyard” but there isn’t one pictured, you should feel empowered to ask for clarity.</p><p>If you can’t correspond effectively with the host, Marbury says to run.</p><p><strong>You aren't sure whether it's legal</strong></p><p>Here’s the deal: as Airbnb grew in popularity, various city, state and country officials started heavily regulating what’s permitted – and what’s not.</p><p>Norah says that to protect yourself – and to lower the risk of hiccups once you’ve landed – it’s important to ensure that your listing has a business license or a registration number. “In many cities, Airbnb properties need to be legally registered to be operated as an Airbnb,” she explains.</p><p>Barcelona in Spain, and San Francisco in California, are two such destinations, but you should research the rules of any place you trek to. You may even be asked at customs for this information, and having it on hand will ward off any confusion or difficulties.</p><p>“Airport officials in the Seychelles checked to make sure our Airbnb was registered when we arrived at the airport,” Norah says. Where do you find it? She says for most of these cities, you will find a business or city license-registration number listed somewhere on the property description.</p><p><strong>You booked the first place you find</strong></p><p>Many unpleasant travel experiences can be avoided if you are willing to roll up your sleeves and do your due diligence to ensure that you’re booking what you want, Marbury says. After all, you can’t expect a place to be 100 per cent up to your standards if you didn’t take the time to research the details you were booking.</p><p>“If strong and consistent wifi is important to you, don’t assume all wifi speeds are equal across all listings. Or, if you’re a light sleeper and the bedroom window faces a main road, you should ask about the traffic noise,” she explains. When you read through descriptions, keep an eye out for what a host is trying to tell you, instead of rushing to find something so you can check it off your to-do list.</p><p>“Good hosts prefer to manage your expectations before you click ‘book’ because it equates to less headaches for them, too,” she adds.</p><p><strong>Your host is taking forever to respond</strong></p><p>When you browse through profiles, don’t disregard the response rate. Especially if you are traveling to an unfamiliar destination where you won’t be fluent in the native language, having a speedy, available host is essential.</p><p>Marbury says that it’s a major red flag when your host takes forever to respond to you – or doesn’t reply at all. “A host who isn’t able to respond to an inquiry within a reasonable amount of time is typically a host who will not respond to you any faster when you have an issue you want resolved within the home after checking in,” she explains.</p><p><strong>You feel like it's too good to be true</strong></p><p>Whether the home is spectacular and far too affordable, the location seems impossible for your travel dates, or all of the above and more, take the time to listen to your gut, suggests travel journalist Kinga Philipps.</p><p>Ask your host as many questions as necessary to make sure you are 100 per cent certain before you hit “book.”</p><p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p><p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/10-signs-youre-about-to-fall-for-a-bad-airbnb-listing?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p><p> </p>

Travel Tips

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Aussie TV icon Bluey's home recreated in real-life

<p dir="ltr">The home of the popular titular character in children’s show <em>Bluey </em>has been brought to life in Brisbane - and one lucky family has the chance to experience it for themselves in a one-off experience.</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Bluey</em>, created by Joe Brumm and created entirely in Brisbane, has become a global sensation, distributed in over 60 countries by the BBC.</p><p dir="ltr">The Heeler family home was recreated in real-life by Airbnb and BBC Studios and was “entirely customised to bring the cartoon experience to life”.</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Bluey </em>fans are sure to recognise some of the home’s quirky details from the show, including a red letterbox, standout bay window and bone-shaped chimney.</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZsnV6ooEBT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px"><div style="flex-direction: row;align-items: center"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px"> </div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px"> </div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0"> </div><div style="height: 50px;margin: 0 auto 12px;width: 50px"> </div><div style="padding-top: 8px"><div style="color: #3897f0;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 550;line-height: 18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0"> </div><div style="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"><div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"> </div></div></div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px"> </div></div><p style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;line-height: 17px;margin-bottom: 0;margin-top: 8px;overflow: hidden;padding: 8px 0 7px;text-align: center"><a style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZsnV6ooEBT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bluey (@officialblueytv)</a></p></div></blockquote><p dir="ltr">“Inside, the interior has been re-imagined with a breezy mid-century aesthetic coupled with playful pops of colour,” Airbnb said <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/bluey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a statement</a> on its website.</p><p dir="ltr">“The girls’ playroom with its signature rainbow canopy, kiwi rug and numerous toys - including Bluey’s beloved Chattermax toy and magic xylophone - is the ultimate setting for creative play and make believe.”</p><p dir="ltr">The kids’ bedroom, modelled after Bluey and Bingo’s room, has two single beds, colourful hanging lanterns, cloud cushions, a handcrafted watermelon rug and a custom stained-glass window.</p><p dir="ltr">As for the master bedroom, it mirrors Bandit and Chilli’s plant-filled retreat seen on the show, with a queen-sized bed, rattan furnishings and neutral colours.</p><p dir="ltr">“The backyard is a verdant oasis for family games - like Horsey Ride and Keepy Uppy - with a BBQ, kiddie-sized trampoline, Grannies’ car, custom toadstool seats and bespoke dog garden gnomes. Yummy snacks can be found in the fridge, including Bandit’s famous duck cake,” the statement said.</p><p dir="ltr">For the family lucky enough to <a href="http://airbnb.com/bluey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stay the weekend</a>, they will also get to enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of Ludo studios where <em>Bluey </em>is created, a Chinese takeaway feast in the backyard, an afternoon decorating the famed duck cake, and a puppet making craft session with the Bob Bilby character from the show.</p><p dir="ltr">To top it all off, the two-night stay for two adults and two kids will only cost $20, plus taxes and fees.</p><p dir="ltr">“We’re delighted to add Bluey, Bingo, Chilli and Bandit to our growing community of Airbnb hosts,” <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/bluey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Susan Wheeldon, the country manager of Airbnb Australia and New Zealand.</p><p dir="ltr">“And while we have some incredible homes on Airbnb, there will be nothing quite like waking up in the Heeler house and getting to live and breathe in Bluey’s magical world for one wondrous weekend.”</p><p dir="ltr">But those who miss out on the stay or who live overseas can still experience the home, by booking a coveted spot in an <a href="http://airbnb.com/blueyexperience" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Online Experience</a> hosted from the house by one of the <em>Bluey </em>composers, Jazz d’Arcy, and children’s choreographer, Cherie Lange.</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Hannah Puechmarin (AirBnb)</em></p>

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Holidaying family refuse to return found cat

<p>A family on holiday has taken a cat from the property they were renting and written a letter to the town's sheriff to explain why they won't be giving it back. </p><p>James Wakefield, 70, alleged that the seemingly neglected cat at his Airbnb named Nubbins was not owned by anyone and it seemed fair for the cat to be taken home and cared for, according to the letter sent to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office in Santa Rosa, California.</p><p>In the three-page letter sent by Mr Wakefield, he explained that he took the cat because no one was taking care of her when he arrived at the property, and that she was hungry, thirsty and cold. </p><p>When the Sonoma County Sheriff Mark Essick informed Mr Wakefield that Nubbins needed to be returned to its legal owner, Mr Wakefield said the family was “never going to let that cat get put back in the living condition she was in without a fight.”</p><p>The cat's legal owner, Troy Farrell, has responded to Mr Wakefield's accusations of neglect by sharing a series of photos and videos where he's cared for Nubbins inside his home over the last four years, despite claiming she is an outside cat. </p><p>“She has so many people who take care of her,” Mr Farrell told a <a href="https://www.sonomanews.com/article/news/alleged-cat-thief-writes-letter-to-sonoma-sheriff/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">local news outlet</a>. </p><p>“She doesn’t want to be an indoor cat. She doesn’t want to be stuck in a house. She just likes to be out and about doing her thing because that’s how she came out.”</p><p>When Mr Wakefield asked the Airbnb homeowner about the feline, he was told that she was a stray cat in the neighbourhood who wasn’t allowed in any of the neighbour’s houses even in the freezing weather.</p><p>When Nubbins became smitten with the Wakefields, the owner was reportedly enthusiastic about Mr Wakefield taking the cat home, saying it would be “awesome if someone adopted her and gave her a good home”. </p><p>The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office became involved, prompting Mr Wakefield’s <a title="srp-prod-public-pdfs.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com" href="https://srp-prod-public-pdfs.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/c1zJslmOTMUpTomzRJPCzinIZio.pdf">letter of retaliation</a> wherein he details how frustrating this dispute of Nubbin’s ownership has been.</p><p>“The cat either dies for lack of medical care or the cat is returned to a neighbourhood that doesn’t care enough about her to protect her from predators or get her out of the freezing windy rain she finds herself in each winter,” Wakefield wrote.</p><p>“And you can be assured that your 70-year-old cat nappers will do everything in our ability to protect her.”</p><p>It’s unclear if either party will take legal action for the “catnapping”.</p><p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Youtube</em></p>

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You can now spend a night in the original Home Alone house

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The setting of the popular </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Home Alone</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> movie has been listed on Airbnb to celebrate the release of the latest movie in the franchise - but it’s only available for a single night.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The lucky guests will be hosted by Devin Ratray who will be reprising his role from the original films as Kevin’s older brother Buzz McCallister in the latest installment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Guests will also get to enjoy Kevin’s choice meals from the 1992 film, including Chicago-style pizza and a candlelit “highly nutritious microwavable macaroni and cheese dinner”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s going to be decorated exactly the way it was 31 years ago and complete with treats and tricks,” Ratray told </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://people.com/travel/home-alone-airbnb-devin-ratray-hosting-exclusive/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">People</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The stately Georgian Colonial home will be decked out in fully Christmas garb, including twinkling lights, stockings on the mantle, and a Christmas tree surrounded by presents.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just like the movie, the home comes with booby traps that guests can set up along with “anything you can possibly imagine in the first movie”.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CV6nU9NNGtK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CV6nU9NNGtK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Devin Ratray (@devinratray)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During their stay, guests can enjoy a viewing of the new film, a meet and greet with a tarantula, and enjoy “one of the central characters” of the first two movies.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You actually get a chance to live in it and walk through it and touch the wall,” Ratray said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You’ve seen the movie so many times, you’ve seen the Christmas tree in the front room, you’ve seen the staircase, people running up and down, you’ve seen the kitchen where Buzz lovingly barfed up all the cheese pizza. Now you get to walk through that.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CW8O1u2FLXB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CW8O1u2FLXB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Airbnb (@airbnb)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But the highlight for Ratray is that the stay “is also going to a good cause”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Airbnb is donating to charity for the La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago, so it’s also doing good for kids with chronic ailments and maladies. It’s all going to a good cause,” he said. “There’s no downside to this.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the spirit of giving, guests will also leave with their very own gifted </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Home Alone</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> themed LEGO set.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fans looking to let their inner eight-year-olds loose can request a booking from Tuesday, December 7 via </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/53274539?source_impression_id=p3_1638393178_tjQaRtmg6Rwa%2Bjmi" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">the listing</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: Airbnb</span></em></p>

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