As travelers, we’re always looking for ways to see the world and save money while we’re doing it. What if we told you of a service that was Couchsurfing meets Airbnb, but you used your social network to find a place to book for just $20. Meet Guest-rm, a service that uses your Facebook network to find accommodations for your next trip.
Founder John Angotti was inspired to create this service because of the difficulties he experienced hosting his friends and family in his 450 square feet apartment, and he had no affordable options to recommend to his out-of-town guests. As a result, he greenlit Guest-rm as an answer to the problem.
The sign-up process is easy. You link your Facebook profile, create a listing, and you’ll be well on your way to reconnecting with your Facebook friends as a host or a guest. The service allows you to decide who you’d like to share your listing with — if you only want to stay with close friends in your circle, there is a setting for that. But, if you’d like to open your search to your friends and their network, that’s also an option too.
Prices are always $20 per night, and never fluctuate based on variables like the holidays, peak travel times, or outside competition.
Guest-rm doesn’t want just to give travelers the opportunity to save a few bucks —the goal is always to use technology and travel to build community. When family and friends open their home to you, it is always proper etiquette to leave a thank you note or small gift. The same applies here. The website recommends that you leave your host(s) a thank you gift to show your appreciation for them opening their home to you. The gift can be a bottle of wine, a gift card, or anything your heart desires.