SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGING HOLIDAY RENTALS FOR GOOD WITH STAY ONE DEGREE

When it comes to luxury holiday home rentals, social media has changed the game.

Inspired by that movement, Stay One Degree is transforming the way we book our holidays rentals by creating an online platform, based on a circle of trust, that connects home owners and guests with their friends, mutual connections and trusted members all over the world.

The brainchild of Thomas Bennett and Jorge Munoz, Stay One Degree allows discerning global travellers looking for first-class home from home experiences, to rent directly from their network of connections within a members’ community.

The idea came from their own rental experiences, which they claim frequently left them frustrated and disappointed with uninspiring homes, at overinflated prices. Meanwhile, beautiful homes within their social network lay empty and underutilised.

Stay One Degree offers its members access to some of the world’s most exclusive and beautiful villas, townhouses, apartments and ski chalets in more than 40 countries around the globe, with prices starting from £100 per night and rising to well over £10,000 per night.

Every property within the Stay One Degree collection is hand-picked by the team, based on their architecture, interiors, outstanding locations and unique elements, from cliff-top infinity pools in Bali to mountain hot tubs in Val Thorens and villas with vineyards in Tuscany.

Signing up to Stay One Degree is free and immediate, providing entry into a community with extraordinary homes to rent, without the risks often associated with renting from a stranger. The social network model allows members to grow their connections, creating a large pool of members they are comfortable renting to and from.

Members can communicate through a private messenger system, without restriction, building relationships and providing an insider concierge service of the very best local experiences, as well as sharing exclusive member benefits.

“The unique concept allows our members to explore the world from the comfort of real homes belonging to friends and trusted connections,” says co-founder Thomas Bennett. “We provide access to amazing homes at preferential member rates and a forum for members to share their passion for their homes and travels.”

The level of trust works both ways, with home owners having control over whether they would prefer to rent to immediate ‘one degree’ connections or a wider pool of trusted members. Home owners also benefit from access to this worldwide customer base at a commission rate of just eight percent.

“As a result of the unique platform we offer property owners, we are finding that owners who never would have considered renting out their holiday homes are now choosing to do so on an exclusive basis through Stay One Degree as they can be confident that their home is in safe hands,” adds co-founder, Jorge Munoz. “Members, therefore, have access to special homes that are impossible to find anywhere else.”