ANANDA “JOY” CHALARDCHAROEN
Address: The Mustang Nero, Soi Sukhumvit Plus 1 (opposite Sukhumvit Soi 71 [Pridi Bhanomyong])
Neighborhood: Phra Khanong
Been doing this for: 1 year
Space is: Rented
Joy represents the growing number of people using Airbnb to run their own hotels and hostels. Rather than rent a single apartment, Joy has created an entire hostel business which she manages exclusively through Airbnb. Her six rooms rent for around B2,000-2,500/night, with each one decorated in a unique, eclectic style involving stuffed animals, desert artifacts and fake cactus plants.
How did you start out as an Airbnb host?
I actually wanted to open a hostel, but then I needed a platform to manage bookings. Now, half of my guests come directly from searching through Airbnb, and the other half comes from my Facebook page, Instagram and word of mouth. But at the end of the day, the only way you can make a booking is with Airbnb.
Why use Airbnb and not let them book directly?
It helps with problems like last-minute cancellations. With Airbnb, hosts still receive payment even if guests decide to cancel or simply just don’t show up. Also, this means I don’t need to have my own system for payment and bookings—I simply receive a notification from Airbnb when someone has booked. It definitely involves less management than doing it on my own.
Is this your only Airbnb property?
Yes, but each of the rooms here is filed under its own listing online. So actually it looks like I have six properties. Therefore, there’s more likelihood that people will find at least one of my listings and make a booking.
So is it profitable?
Yes, but not by a huge amount. I’m already in the process of expanding to have more rooms in order to cover costs, even though I’ve already pushed the prices up once.
What makes a good Airbnb host?
You need to have time and passion. It requires you to be on standby a lot, replying promptly, going out of your way to take care of guests’ needs. It can be tiresome.
NARATHIP “NICK” PRAMUALSUK
Address: 8/74 Noble Re:D Ari Soi 1
Neighborhood: Ari
Been doing this for: 3 months
Space is: Bought
Nick’s Airbnb space sits in your typical modern Bangkok condo development—a spacious, two-room unit with a built-in kitchen. He’s gone for a beach house theme with the decor, which features cool blues, light rustic woods and framed images of beach escapes like Santorini. He rents out the entire space for a maximum of four people for around B2,000 per night.
Why did you start using Airbnb?
I bought this condo with my wife, and we both spend time going back and forth between here and America. Since we only use it half the time, I decided to rent it out using Airbnb. But now that it has generated more business, whenever I’m back in Bangkok I end up having to stay at my parent’s place since guests are always here!
What do you like about Airbnb over renting the space like a traditional landlord?
You can determine when you want or don’t want guests to be there—if I need this space, I can make it unavailable to rent. Airbnb allows for short-term stays, almost like a hotel, rather than long-term house rentals in the traditional sense.
Was it difficult getting started?
No. I got a booking 30 minutes after posting the listing online. I think the decoration is what did it. The first thing people look at is the photos, and if they see a nice place they want to stay in, they’ll book it despite the lack of reviews.
How did you determine what price to set?
Actually, Airbnb gives you guide of prices for the area around you. You can see how other people have priced themselves and work from there. Of course, you need to keep in mind the extra charges including things like cleaning service—and the fact that Airbnb cuts off three percent.
Have you ever had any problems with Airbnb?
I had some problems with payment not coming through and I couldn’t get in touch with anyone at the Airbnb Thailand office. What I’ve learnt, though, is that Twitter is the best way for hosts to get assistance. The official Airbnb Twitter account replies almost instantly—so don’t waste your time with the Thai office. I think they’re too new and not properly set up for providing host support yet.
Have you had any legal issues?
I haven’t told the condo that I’m renting out the space, but I think there aren’t any strict laws in this case. Technically, they could just be friends of mine staying over. It’s easier, though, because I’ve bought this space. It might be a different story for those who are renting a condo and sub-letting on Airbnb—for this, they might need to check the legality of it.
VIRANPACH "HONG" NARANITITHUM
Address: Wie Immer Bangkok, Thonglor Soi 14
Neighborhood: Thonglor
Been doing this for: 6 months
Space is: Bought
This whitewashed, minimal building sits in a Thonglor townhouse, and comes as a homestay, cafe and art gallery all in one space. Roomy and filled with plenty of natural light, the four rooms spread across the top floor each feature a cozy lounge area beneath the bed which lies in a top bunk. Hong rents out each double bedroom for around B900-1,300 per night.
Why did you start using Airbnb?
This was originally my office and home, but I had a lot of unused space which I then decided to rent out. Because I live here too, I figured it would be a good way to make new friends from around the world.
What is key to making a successful Airbnb?
Location, homeliness and service are all important. But for me I want to focus on making it an experience for the guests. They can enjoy the cafe and art gallery downstairs, they can hang out with me, they can take my advice on where to go and what to do. This way, it’s more personalized and interactive than a hotel room.
Was it difficult starting out?
Yes, because I didn’t have any reviews. At that point, the key thing to have is really good pictures of your place. Airbnb has a free photography service for people like me who aren’t good at taking photos. Once you get good photos, you’ll get your first guest and once the reviews come in, it will all be a lot easier.
Is it profitable?
It definitely can be but it depends on how much time and effort you want to put into it. For me, I didn’t go into it with huge expectations, but now that I’ve got the ball rolling it’s a great side business. But I know lots of people who dedicate their time entirely to this, and it has been very rewarding for them.
SUDAPORN “PUPE” SAE IA
Address: El Chiringuito Chinatown, 221 Soi Nana, Chareonkrung Rd.
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Been doing this for: 6 months
Space is: Rented
Pupe has renovated an old building in Chinatown into a minimal, yet colorful guesthouse which stays in keeping with the tone of the area thanks to Chinese-style decoration and antiques. The downstairs area doubles as a bar serving drinks and Spanish food that opens out onto the streets, while the rooms upstairs take up the entire floor and ensure privacy. Each of the four rooms rents for B742-1,518 per night.
How did you get started with Airbnb?
I originally rented this place to make a bar while I lived upstairs. But I often had friends coming to stay so I decided to rent another building. The more I decorated and the more I expanded, I started to charge our friends a small fee until it sort of just evolved into a series of guest houses, which I then decided needed to be properly listed on a place like Airbnb.
Why go through Airbnb and not manage bookings yourself?
The review system helps. Not only can guests review hosts but also vice versa. This way, I can actually screen guests before they come—see if they’ve had any bad experiences with other hosts. I can even ask them for passport verification for safety measures, which puts me at ease because this is my home, not a hotel.
Have you ever had any bad experiences with guests?
A lot of guests expect it to be a hotel and treat it that way. For instance, I had a group that came in and intentionally left the aircon on while they left the house for the day. They might be used to hotels where the power cuts automatically or you don’t get charged for wasting the electricity. But I’ve come to learn that it’s part of the costs that I need to deal with. Same goes for breakage, mess and other damages.
What kind of person makes a good host?
You need to be service-minded and a quick-problem solver. You never know what guests might need help with and a lot of things are unexpected. It’s a learning curve.
SIRIRAT “YOOM” THAWILVEJAKUL
Address: Noble Solo, Sukhumvit Soi 55
Neighborhood: Thonglor
Been doing this for: 6 months
Space is: Bought
Yoom’s modern, spacious unit in a Thonglor condo has a playful feel. The walls are decorated with her own graphic and animation designs, plus a full-scale blackboard wall with chalk is provided for drawing and working on. The apartment sleeps a total of four over two rooms, and costs around B2,500-4,000 per night depending on how many guests stay.
Why did you start using Airbnb?
My mother originally bought me and my sisters this condo. However, we don’t use it all the time since we still prefer to live at home. We started thinking of what to do with it while we’re not here, and it led to Airbnb.
How did you get started?
I wasn’t sure how it all worked so I went to a meetup [airbnb.com/meetups] dedicated to experienced hosts telling new hosts about their successes. It was extremely helpful and after that I just wanted to give it a go. I still go to those meetups because it’s great to get support and help from other hosts.
Has it been successful for you so far?
It’s been good but I must admit it seems pretty seasonal. During April, I was pretty much fully booked. Now, because of the rainy season, fewer tourists are coming and it’s been noticeably less busy.
How did you determine the price for your property?
Initially, I set a fixed price of about B4,300 per night based on the central location and the quality and newness of the condominium. However, since the place is listed for four people, I found that smaller groups didn’t want to come or would ask for discounts. So I now adjust the price depending on the number of people coming, which seems to have made a big difference.
Have you made any mistakes with Airbnb that you wish you could redo?
This space was originally two apartments, but I knocked down the wall to merge it into one more spacious area. Looking back, I should’ve kept it as two separate but smaller apartments so that there could be two listings. Having more than one listing would really help with reviews and visibility.
Do you think it’s worth it for someone to buy or rent a condo for the sole purpose of Airbnb?
I’m sure you can do that if you have good planning and time, but personally I think it’s more suitable for people who have a second home they don’t permanently use or a spare empty condo. It’s a great way to make some side money while still maintaining a full-time job.
Any specific tips you want to give to budding hosts?
A lot of bookings are for three people, since it’s an inconvenient number for a hotel. I can imagine it’s the same for five or seven. So it’s great to target groups this size.
