Buzz

In the era of the so-called “gig” economy, folks have taken to using online apps and websites more and more often to both offer and find services. When it comes to accommodations that most definitely includes hotels being listed on the popular booking sites that you’ll often see ads for. It also includes properties (and rooms within properties) being offered under Airbnb’s increasingly popular business model. 

Brandon is home to its share of Airbnb listings and I thought I’d take a few moments to look at what appear to be the best of the best... local places that have received the maximum five star rating and whose hosts have been given coveted “superhost” status. If you aren’t familiar with Airbnb, the critical part to me is finding a property that’s been reviewed enough times that by reading what enough folks have said you start to get a candid feel for the strengths and weaknesses of a place. From there, as the world’s foremost expert on yourself you can make a choice for what fits best. 

When considering a booking, make sure you’re fully aware of any given place’s cancellation policy as well as any applicable additional costs such as cleaning fees. You’ll see those notes on each listing. 

Below is a list of what stands out to me, with the disclaimer that I have never personally been in any of them and that a feature here should not be seen as endorsement. One of course should do their due diligence to be sure a place is a fit for them!

* * * * * * *

In the University area, as far as getting a single private room in a house goes its hard to argue with a whopping 176 reviews that together average five stars:

“Which Way To The Beach” features a private bedroom at a North Brandon location. Averaging five stars over 77 reviews from visitors on long and short-term stays:

At the time of this posting its rare to find an entire self contained apartment, condo of home in Brandon on Airbnb. A quick look at reviews has guests raving about the like-new condition of the condo. No surprise with the host being a local carpenter. The host has two more just like it also listed:

Private room in a modern home. Guests appear to rave about both cleanliness and the check-in process:

Had to make an exception to my “Superhost” criteria on what appears to be a rising star. Not as many reviews, but as of the time of this posting all seven reviews submitted since November averaged five stars on rental of en entire basement of this modern walkout home:

A private guest quarters with bedroom, kitchenette, private bathroom with shower and more:

Of course that's only six out of 52 listings that currently come up in a search of the Brandon area with the average rating of all of them said to be 4.8 out of 5.0. If you come across a listing in Westman that stands out to you, Brandon or not, don’t hesitate to drop me a note with your thoughts for possible inclusion in a future post!