Sydney Hotel Launches with World First Airbnb Partnership

  • World first – Little Albion will be the first hotel available for guests to book out in its entirety as a single listing on Airbnb, the global travel community
  • The ‘guest house’ as it is aptly named is reinventing the traditional ‘hotel’ – catering to the needs of modern travellers by creating an idyllic fusion between hotel and home
  • Live like a local (and with a local) – this property boasts a knowledgeable team of hosts led by a Surry Hills local, who has lived in the area for over 10 years

The Little Albion Guest House, which officially opened its doors today, has joined forces with Airbnb to be the first hotel available for booking as a single listing on the global travel platform. The luxurious new 35-room guest house is located in the hip Sydney suburb of Surry Hills and from today will be available to be booked in its entirety (airbnb.com.au/littlealbion) and as individual rooms.

Little Albion Guest House is a design lover’s dream, boasting impeccable interiors, bespoke finishings, and an enviable art collection designed and crafted by the hoteliers themselves. The embodiment of the local guest house experience reimagined for the modern luxury traveller, Little Albion Guest House was designed and developed by pioneers of the boutique hotel category 8HOTELS and Interior Designer and Construction Manager Connie Alessi.

“We love Airbnb’s concept and platform and are really excited about this partnership. Little Albion Guest House was developed with the same attention to detail that a homeowner has in creating their own dream home. We wanted to answer the needs of today’s guests who are seeking a ‘home away from home’ when travelling and want the authenticity of a local B&B experience alongside world class boutique hotel services and amenities, in addition to the ease of booking through Airbnb. The result is a truly one-of-a-kind property with a personal touch, just like the accommodations you find on Airbnb.”

Paul Fischmann, Founder and CEO of 8Hotels 

In line with Airbnb’s vision of belonging anywhere and giving guests the opportunity to live like a local, Little Albion Guest House will have a dedicated team of hosts led by boutique hotel guru and Surry Hills resident, Wendy Morris. An honour bar stocked with top shelf beverages and gourmet nibbles enables guests to help themselves, just as they would in their own home. A lush rooftop garden with alfresco seating and north-facing view overlooking Surry Hills and the city of Sydney offers an urban escape.

Earlier this year, Airbnb announced the introduction of new searchable property types on the platform, including B&Bs and boutique hotels, aimed at bringing the benefits of local and authentic travel to everyone. This partnership forms part of Airbnb’s roadmap and is aimed bringing the transformative benefits of local, personal and authentic travel to every type of traveller.

Sam McDonagh, Country Manager for Airbnb in Australia and New Zealand says, “We want Airbnb to be for everyone, including hospitality providers that offer unique spaces and personalised hospitality. The Little Albion Guest House is a great example of a local boutique hotel that is opening its doors to travellers from around Australia and the world, offering guests more than just a bed for the night. Boutique hotels and B&Bs have long used Airbnb, and we are dedicated to continuing to work with hospitality providers across Australia that excel at offering the best guest experiences and live our mission of belonging.”

The concept for Little Albion Guest House was conceived by 8HOTELS after researching hotels through the ages. From the very first ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn dating back to the eighth century AD), to the big box hotels of the 80’s, followed by the explosion of boutique offerings and finally through to the innovation of the game-changing Airbnb platform. From here, they saw a clear evolution of the consumer journey and landed squarely on what both corporate and leisure guests genuinely want from their ‘home away from home’ – the luxury and comfort of a hotel teamed with the ease and familiarity of an Airbnb.

For bookings or to find out more visit airbnb.com.au/littlealbion