Short-Let Services Expansion: What Airbnb’s New Offering Means for Hosts, Guests & Providers

Airbnb has expanded to ancillary services such as private chefs

Airbnb is no longer just about booking a place to stay. With its latest venture into lifestyle services—such as private chefs, massage therapists, and in-home fitness instructors—it’s aiming to become a one-stop shop for curated guest experiences.

But will these changes benefit everyone involved: guests, hosts, and local providers?

Let’s take a closer look at what this means for the short-term rental industry and whether it actually enhances the value chain, or simply adds another fee to the middle.

What is Airbnb’s expanded guest service offerings?

Launched in May 2025, this new venture sees Airbnb expanding into the ancillary services market, offering curated add-ons such as:

• In-home massages

• Personal fitness sessions

• Private dining experiences

• On-demand beauty services

Airbnb hopes this service will make them the “everything store” for tourism and short-term rental travel experiences, while also generating new revenue streams beyond accommodation bookings.

What This Means for Guests

For short-term rental guests, the concept of booking a massage or personal chef before arrival might seem like a nice value-add. After checking in, instead of scrambling for local recommendations or relying on Google, guests could simply pre-book vetted services via Airbnb’s platform.

Pros for Guests:

• Centralised booking and payment

• Vetted professionals with ratings and reviews

• Protection against no-shows or poor service

• Seamless user experience

Cons for Guests:

• Higher costs: Airbnb’s commission could inflate pricing

• Limited control: Lack of direct communication with service providers

• Data capture and tracking: Airbnb collects more personal preference data

While convenience is a win, savvy guests might wonder: Why pay more when I can book directly with a local business? For those who value transparency and local community engagement, this service might feel more like a paywall than a perk.

Implications for Airbnb Hosts

This is where it gets controversial.

Despite playing a crucial role in the success of Airbnb’s business model, hosts appear to be left out of the revenue loop when it comes to the new services feature. The company benefits from guests using the host’s space for these add-on services - yet the host sees no compensation or commission.

Key Concerns for Hosts:

• No revenue share or incentive for hosting services onsite

• Increased risk of damage or liability from third-party providers

• Lack of transparency on service quality or guest satisfaction

• No control over who enters the property via the new services

For example, if a guest books a private chef and the kitchen doesn’t meet their expectations, could the host be blamed in reviews? And will negative guest experiences with third-party providers reflect poorly on the host’s listing?

What Hosts Want:

Short-term rental hosts, especially in the UK Airbnb host community, want:

• Commission sharing for services booked on their property

• Greater control over who accesses their home

• Clear communication from Airbnb about guest bookings and third-party activity

• Insurance protections and risk management policies

Until Airbnb acknowledges these concerns and compensates hosts fairly, some hosts have raised concerns that the update could prioritise platform profits over host needs.

Impact on Local Service Providers

For local professionals in hospitality, wellness, and fitness, this expansion could be a double-edged sword.

Pros:

• Access to a new pool of high-spending short-let guests

• Increased visibility on a trusted global platform

Cons:

• Commission cuts reduce margins

• Competition with local independents who don’t list on Airbnb

• Greater dependency on one platform for bookings

Small businesses may also fear being crowded out, especially in markets already burdened by short-term rental regulations and rising living costs.

Airbnb claims that all service providers are vetted and that services will be available to all users - not just those staying in Airbnbs - but it remains to be seen how this will affect non-Airbnb aligned businesses.

Final Thoughts: Is Airbnb’s Services Expansion Good for the Short-Term Rental Market?

Airbnb’s move into lifestyle and in-property services is a logical next step in its quest to dominate the global travel and short-term rental industry. But while guests may benefit from convenience and peace of mind, hosts and local providers risk being marginalised.

Whether this development is the next best thing, or falls completely out of bed (no pun intended), Airlinen will continue to empower hosts, guests, and service providers equitably. 

Airlinen is driven by what our clients - and their guests - truly need. We believe in transparency, supporting local businesses, and creating practical everyday solutions that benefit the entire short-term rental ecosystem, not just the platforms at the top.