Imagine a service that connects would-be B&B operators with the budget-conscious travelers who love them. Airbed & Breakfast is one of those ideas that many geeks have probably thought of, and as with most things, someone has finally taken the initiative to build… on a shoe-string, no less!
Airbed & Breakfast is a peer-to-peer service where you can secure accommodations posted by individuals willing to open their homes, for a fee, to travelers. They currently boast accommodations in 125 cities in 25 countries. Airbed & Breakfast actually allow each party to evaluate one another prior to any commitment, and it also provides a forum for the financial transaction to take place between the parties. The person advertising their space gets 100% of their asking price, and the guest pays a 6-15% service fee upon checkout. Simple!
Airbed & Breakfast was launched by a trio of SF entrepreneurs, Brian Cheskey, Joe Gebbia and coder Nathan Blecharcyk in mid-2008 after beginning their efforts back in later 2007.
They seem to be getting quite a bit of traction with DNC/RNC convention attendees heading to Denver and St. Paul this summer. WSJ also covered them yesterday regarding "The Business of Politics". You can follow their Tweets here
