Some of Australia’s most welcoming, creative and big-hearted Hosts on Airbnb have today been recognised as part of the platform’s very first Host Awards.Celebrating the top Hosts, listings and Experiences on offer across the country, the Airbnb Host Awards aim to shine a spotlight on Hosts for the incredible work they do for guests and the wider community.
With categories such as Best Unique Stay, Best Designed Stay and Best Regional Stay, winners range from a luxury off-the-grid eco hut for two in Mudgee, New South Wales to an architecturally designed guesthouse in Hobart, and a 100-year-old former grain shed that is wheelchair accessible on the outskirts of Toowoomba, Queensland.
Host of the Year was awarded to Victoria’s Kate Quinlan, whose quirky 70s style campervan on her family farm near Daylesford has attracted rave reviews from guests around the world, especially for her complimentary breakfasts.
Queenslander Adrienne Penny won the Community Contribution Award for offering respite to carers by hosting free-of-charge stays at her Sunshine Coast beachside apartment. While WA based Cam O’Beirne draws up 30 years of rescue experience to hosts an Airbnb Experience where guests embark on an adrenalin-filled simulated rescue mission, was recognised for Most Magical Experience.
Winning Hosts were selected based on extensive Airbnb data, guest scores and reviews, with oversight from a panel of judges that included renowned interior stylist and makeover king Steve Cordony and expert Superhost Merrydith Callegari, who sits on Airbnb’s esteemed global Host Advisory Board.
Cordony said the quality and breadth of finalists was impressive, making it a difficult task to review and score Hosts.
“It was an honour to be involved in Airbnb’s first-ever Host Awards and to be asked to choose a winner for an incredible array of finalists across the country. The attention-to-detail and the genuine passion conveyed by each Host, regardless of their category, is what makes Airbnb so unique,” Mr Cordony said.
“It is clear that guests have come away with unforgettable travel memories, thanks to the attention to detail these Hosts have put into the guest experience. It was difficult to judge, but the winners are excellent examples of what it means to be a Host on Airbnb.”
Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb’s Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand, said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to recognise and reward Hosts who continue to go above and beyond for guests and their communities.
“Every day, Hosts offer one-of-a-kind stays and unique experiences that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.
“It’s fantastic to see that all corners of the country are covered, with winning Hosts hailing from Yallingup in Western Australia, down to Tasmania and up to regional Queensland. There’s also a range of price points, from luxe listings to tiny homes and everything in between.
“These Hosts exemplify how hosting can be a meaningful and rewarding experience that also benefits the wider community. We recently announced a new, simplified process for becoming a Host in just 10 steps, meaning it’s never been easier to not only earn an income from your home or spare room but to make a valuable contribution to your local area by channelling visitor dollars into small businesses.”
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