What Airbnb's New Services Really Mean for Property Hosts Like Us
By Debra Rissmann
When I first heard about Airbnb's latest expansion into "Services" offering everything from private chefs to massage therapists directly through their platform, my immediate thought wasn't excitement. It was concern. As someone who's been hosting for years and knows the delicate balance required to create exceptional guest experiences, this felt like another layer of complexity being added to an already demanding job.
But after digging deeper into what this actually means for hosts like us here in Asturias, I wanted to share some real thoughts not the glossy marketing version, but what this looks like from the trenches of day-to-day hosting.
Starting this summer, guests can book services like private chefs, spa treatments, personal trainers, and photographers in over 260 cities worldwide. The twist? They can book these services whether they're staying in an Airbnb or not. It's Airbnb's attempt to become the everything app for travel, think hotel concierge meets home sharing platform. This not offered in Asturias yet but it is coming.
For hosts, this means guests can now arrange these services to come directly to your property, coordinated through Airbnb's platform rather than the informal recommendations we've always provided.
Here's the thing that the industry articles don't tell you: I've already been doing this informally for years. When guests ask about private chefs, private yoga classes or a massage therapist I connect them with trusted local professionals I've worked with before. And let me be honest it's not as simple as it sounds.
When a private chef comes to your property, you're essentially opening your home to a small catering operation. They need to understand your kitchen equipment, coordinate timing with your guests, and yes, there's always extra cleanup afterward despite their best efforts. The difference is, I usually receive a small commission from the chef for the referral compensation that reflects the real coordination work involved.
Under Airbnb's new system, that commission disappears. You're still doing the coordination work (trust me, you'll be the one fielding calls when the chef can't find the right pot or the guests want to change the menu), but without any acknowledgment that this adds real work to your hosting responsibilities.
These services are not yet offered in Asturias but I will let you know when they are as the plans are to roll this out throughout Spain.
Living in a region where authentic local experiences are our greatest asset, this development feels particularly relevant. Asturias isn't one of those 260 cities where these services are immediately available, which actually gives us a breathing room to observe and decide how we want to handle this.
The Good News:
Enhanced guest experience potential if managed well
Competitive differentiation for properties that offer curated local services
Professional vetting by Airbnb could improve service quality
The Concerns:
Loss of personal touch that makes our properties special
Reduced control over who enters our homes
Additional liability without additional compensation
Risk to guest satisfaction that reflects on our property ratings
The Local Advantage
What gives me confidence is that here in Asturias, our strength has always been authentic local connections. No platform can replicate the recommendation of a village elder about the best sidra producer, or the inside knowledge of when the hidden beach is accessible at low tide.
Our value isn't in becoming hotel like it's in remaining genuinely local. Services might work in big cities where convenience trumps authenticity, but in places like ours, the personal touch remains irreplaceable.
What's Next?
I'll be watching how this rollout affects guest expectations and host experiences in other markets. The beauty of being in a region where change happens more slowly is that we get to learn from others' mistakes (and successes) before making our own decisions.
For now, I'm focusing on what has always worked: building genuine relationships with guests and trusted local partners. If Airbnb Services eventually enhances that rather than replacing it, great. If not, we'll adapt as we always have.
The hosting landscape keeps evolving, but our commitment to creating authentic Asturian experiences remains constant. That's something no platform update can change.
What are your thoughts on Airbnb's Services expansion? Have you had experiences with coordinating external services for guests? I'd love to hear your perspective – drop me a line or share your thoughts below.
About Debra: With over 20 years in hospitality including 6 years as a Superhost in Mallorca, Debra has seen every hosting challenge (and triumph) imaginable. She brings that real world experience to property management in Asturias, cutting through industry hype to share what actually works.
