Airbnb has proven to be a great option when your looking for non-traditional lodging options.

What’s nice about Airbnb is that you can find places in more desirable locations for cheaper prices than at hotels. You also get to meet locals and learn a bit about the destination (well at least if you chat with your hosts).

Kim, Lucas and I stayed at an Airbnb for the first time back in 2012 in Singapore. Find out about our awesome experience here. Since then, we’ve stayed at a fair amount of Airbnbs, although it’s been a while.

I’ve heard that people could make good money renting out their place through Airbnb, but what do the top hosts make in a year?

According to T+L, “a man in London who has 881 properties across the city, made $15.6 million from all of his properties“.

My first thought was HOLY SH*T! I also wondered how one man could possibly maintain more than a handful of properties!

Another host also made over $15 million with Airbnb last year. He made his money though hosting 504 properties in Bali.

Reading further along, it appears that these hosts might not actually be individuals. Some of them are literally property management companies, staffing hundreds of people. What these companies do are manage people’s second homes.

I’d say good for these people who created a business through the platform but it seems like the core reason the home sharing site was created is being lost here. From what I recall, Airbnb was a way for people to rent out unused space in their homes to make some extra money, while also forming something of a community.

In the end, I’m not booking a room through Airbnb to meet people. Kim and I choose Airbnb to find a place to stay in more desirable locations which offer a fair price.

Find out more from T+L here.

If you haven’t yet signed up for Airbnb, please consider using my invite link. You’ll receive a $40 off of your first trip of $75 or more and I’ll receive a $40 credit once your travel.