Bnb-style booking offers alternatives for property owners, travelers

Alex Lovell just began booking the second floor apartment of his business through Airbnb in November, but so far, he’s happy with the results.

Alex and Katy Lovell bought Grimsley’s Flower Store from John Baker and began operating the 105-year-old business a little over a year ago.  They weren’t sure at that time exactly what they wanted to do with the building’s upstairs apartment.

Lovell said they talked about the idea of having a short-term rental over renting to a tenant for a longer period.

“With a short-term renter, they’re only here for a few days or a week, and then they’re gone,” Lovell said.

He said there was an advantage to the protections provided by a company such as Airbnb. 

Airbnb was one of the originators of booking short-term rentals and bed and breakfast stays online.  The company also books longer-term rentals for clients as well as offering services to accommodation providers through its Host Guarantee.  The guarantee protects providers against damage and delinquent payments from renters.

Lovell said they have had such a good experience using Airbnb, they haven’t branched out to include other booking services.

“It seemed like a safer, better option for us,” Lovell said.

The arrangement also is convenient when their family comes to town for a visit.

“We can just block out those dates, and they can stay up there,” he said.

The Lovells completely renovated the three bedroom, 1,500- square-foot apartment, including refinishing the original hardwood floors.  They also gutted the bathroom and installed a walk-in shower. 

• See the complete story in the Friday, Feb. 24 print edition of the Clinton Journal or now in the Journal E-Edition for subscribers.