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All the comments here say “build more housing”. True! But to solve Airbnb, it’s “build more hotels!”

Like with Taxis and Uber, there are clearly regulatory hurdles to fulfilling hotel demand. We can tell because places like Tokyo have cheap cheap hotels, despite high density.

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Not all airbnbs equate a hotel. Usually families will try and just book an entire home for airbnb. Even suite style hotels aren’t nearly as nice as a multibedroom home with a yard and potentially a pool with zero other guests and the easiest parking situation possible for the rental car. Probably makes a big stress difference for parents with young kids I’d imagine.

You’re describing another consequence of hotel and land use regulations. Ease up zoning and hotels in a house form-factor will be built, as demand clearly exists!

Even that might not pencil out like the airbnb. Its still potentially someones home so it doesn’t have to stand alone as a business that fully covers its costs and makes a profit margin. A hotel on the otherhand would have to do that. I don’t imagine youd ever be able to rent an entire home from a hotel company for just a few dozen dollars more than a basic hotel room.

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