Airbnb branded a ‘dis.ster’

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, who once faced skepticism about his idea of renting out homes to strangers, has introduced a new feature allowing users to book luxury services through the app. Now available in 260 cities, customers can hire personal chefs, masseuses, trainers, and more for under \$50. Chesky sees this as the next step in evolving Airbnb beyond just accommodations, combining the service-oriented appeal of hotels with the spaciousness of Airbnb stays. The update also enhances the “Experiences” feature, offering unique activities like museum tours and sports events, as well as the “Airbnb Originals” series, allowing users to book exclusive experiences.

Despite Chesky’s enthusiasm, the move has sparked criticism online, with some users saying Airbnb is straying too far from its original concept. Detractors have expressed concerns about the app’s new interface and questioned the need for luxury services when existing issues—like high cleaning fees and unreliable hosts—remain unresolved. Some even compared the expansion to WeWork’s failed diversification attempts. As Airbnb navigates this transformation, its shares have also faced pressure due to concerns over Trump’s trade tariffs and lower-than-expected revenue forecasts for Q2.