The coronavirus pandemic has millions of Americans shut out of public pools this summer, and that has opened up a huge opportunity for Swimply, Airbnb, MisterBandB, and VRBO, because it’s employs a similar strategy, only for pools.

#1 MisterBandB

Choosing where to stay is one of the most important decisions you make when planning your trip. The options are limitless, and your choice ranges from large resorts and hotel chains to small, boutique hotels or apartment rentals.

Many travelers are choosing home rentals over hotels these days and it’s no surprise why. They get a more comfortable, cost-effective stay and personal attention from their host instead of the impersonal offerings of an outdated, overpriced hotel room. Nowadays travelers even have a selection of several home sharing sites to choose from. If you’re a gay traveler, the top choice for renting a room or home while traveling is misterbnb (mrbnb). While other sites may be LGBT-friendly, misterbnb is specifically tailored to the travel needs of the gay community.

BOOK A ROOM ON MISTERBNB

Founded in 2014, misterbnb is not a hotel or chain, but rather a booking site for rooms, apartments and homes. Similar to  AirBnB, misterbnb is an online service that allows you to rent short- or long-term spaces from gay and gay-friendly hosts around the world. They have hosts in more than 135 countries with more than 200,000 total listings. They recently even started offering listings of gay and gay-friendly hotels on their site for a one-stop-shop. You can even  list your own room or apartment to earn cash  from gay travelers in your city. Understanding a city’s gay scene is much more easily done with the help of a local and apartment sharing is one of the best ways to meet someone living in the city who knows the best insider advice.

Private Guest Suite with Pool and Hot Tub listed on MisterBnb

To find the perfect accommodation for your next gay stay, misterb&b offers you to search by city or pick your favorite gay destination. You can also go through our selections of listings, sorted by popular themes.

#2 AirBnb

  • Summer brings hot and humid days that call for cooling off with a relaxing dip in the pool.
  • Those without their own pools may be looking to book an Airbnb getaway to hang poolside now that travel restrictions are slowly beginning to lift.
  • We found top-rated Airbnbs with private pools across the country for all price points, ranging from $51 to $394 per night.

As states slowly begin to reopen and travel restrictions are lifted, those of us without our own pools may be considering booking a getaway that includes one. While crowded hotel pools don’t sound too appealing right now, secluded pools at private Airbnbs sure do.

If you’re wondering  whether Airbnbs are safe  right now, we spoke with experts who said staying at an  Airbnb as opposed to a hotel  may actually be one of the safer options, especially if booking the entire house so there are no interactions with hosts or other guests.  

$40 Discount on Outdoorsy RV Rental for Coronavirus Friendly Travel

Vintage ’71 Airstream in Bradenton, Florida, $51. One example.

Airbnb  also recently implemented new procedures  and cleaning policies, which include new protocols like only using disinfectants approved by regulatory authorities. Some listings also maintain a 24-waiting period after a guest checks out before entering to clean, followed by another 48-hour waiting period before guests check-in. Alternatively, hosts may opt into a Booking Buffer, which enforces a 72-hour vacancy period between stays.  

Hosts can also choose to do neither of these options. And while some hosts are also outlining new cleaning procedures right in the listings (noted below), most travelers may feel safest wiping down surfaces themselves and taking extra precautions like running dishes through the dishwasher before use. Of course, then you’re also having clean when you arrive, on top of likely paying a cleaning fee. 

If you’re okay with those potential risks and inconveniences, then Airbnb can be a good option for a socially distant summer vacation. We also asked experts to weigh in on  other travel risks like renting a car, flying, and more, so you can feel safe getting to your planned destination.  

However, it’s important to note that without a vaccine, there is no guarantee as to safety. We strongly advise following guidelines and advice from organizations such as the CDC and WHO, and practicing safety measures including wearing a mask, washing your hands, and maintaining social distancing. It’s also necessary to check travel restrictions and guidelines for the state you plan on visiting since many still have mandatory quarantines for out-of-staters.

With all that in mind, if you’re ready to kick summer off by cannonballing straight into the deep end, we rounded up some excellent Airbnbs with pools across the country. Here’s some criteria for our selections:

  1. Airbnb listing is for the entire home (no awkward bathroom sharing situations).
  2. All are highly-rated Airbnb listings with a rating of 4.8 or higher.
  3. Listings include a private pool for guest use.

#3 Rent a Private Pool By The Hour

  • Swimply has been compared to Airbnb, only for pools.
  • Prices range anywhere from $15 to $300 per hour, depending on the type of pool, location and additional amenities offered.
  • The site lists pools in 39 states as well as in Canada and Australia.

Swimly is two years old, the company has seen 2000% growth this summer, according to its twenty-something year-old co-founders from New York and New Jersey. Prices range anywhere from $15 to $300 per hour, depending on the type of pool, location and additional amenities offered’”like restroom access. Some homeowners also have hot tubs by the pool.

Swimply’s web platform facilitates the booking and payment process and then takes 15% as a fee. Owners are allowed to deny any renter application, as long as it is not based on race or sexual orientation. Owners can mandate the maximum number of swimmers allowed during any rental booking.