Coronavirus Melbourne: AirBnb listings offer face masks, sanitiser
Struggling with confinement in your own place? Some of Melbourne’s most exclusive rentals are available and offering hand sanitiser and face masks to seal the deal. But they don’t come cheap.
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While Australians are being told to stay in their homes, AirBnb owners are marketing their luxury rentals to anyone and everyone, including travellers needing to quarantine, with offers of face masks and sanitiser. We’ve found some of the fanciest havens on offer.
It might be hard to get any work done, but with this amazing wraparound balcony you’ll never feel like you’re trapped inside.
Once you’re sick of the sweeping views of the MCG and city, there’s plenty of space to roam indoors with three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
There’s even a jacuzzi for when you’ve finished a long day at the home office.
The “isolation opportunity” has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitised and clocks in at $600 per night.
If you’re more a reclusive genius type, then perhaps this South Yarra apartment — complete with guitars and grand piano — is more your style.
Host Byron White said he had been living in the apartment until February, and thought it would be perfect for anyone looking to while away the hours in quarantine.
Mr White said isolation should be as “enriching” as possible and offered the piano and guitars for any musicians.
For those home master chefs the kitchen has bread and pasta making equipment, and a massive 78-inch curved TV for when it all gets too much.
The home even has a dual desk study in case anyone actually plans on getting some work done.
Mr White said supplies for future guests included face masks and any special request items — to make sure guests don’t have to leave the house unnecessarily.
PENINSULA TOURISTS TOLD TO STICK TO OWN POSTCODES
“We’re trying to encourage people to stay inside and the way we do that is making sure they’re as comfortable as possible,” he said.
Located in swanky South Yarra, this luxury isolation apartment sets you back $499 a night.
Converted from a chocolate factory into a warehouse-style home, this Richmond abode is advertised as “professionally cleaned and sanitised”.
Rest, relax and enjoy the huge open spaces.
The massive living area opens up to a modern master bedroom loft while downstairs features a tranquil atrium with water feature and two more bedrooms.
The home is a more reasonable $335 a night.
ISOLATION HOMES THE NEW TREND
These properties highlight the swing towards ‘coronavirus consciousness’, as a number of listed homes have updated listings referencing the pandemic.
Throughout Melbourne rentals are available offering free masks, or the ability to “isolate in style”.
HomeHost founder Gabriel Sarajinsky said AirBnb’s offered a roomier and more comfortable alternative to hotel rooms for those looking to isolate.
“For international travellers coming off aeroplanes or cruise ships, it’ll be much better for their mental health if they have a place they can call their home for 14 days,” he said.
With the tourism industry in crisis, AirBnb has announced a range of measures to help fight the economic impact of coronavirus.
They will spend US$250 million to cover part of the cancellation costs for hosts who had stays interrupted by COVID-19.
A US$10 million will help hosts struggling to make ends meet.
The company also wants to connect 100,000 healthcare workers, relief workers and first responders to clean and convenient places to stay.