Hospitality Start Up Takes Airbnb-style Stays to Next Level

A new hospitality option, Mint House, launched recently with a new concept in extended stay, or even short-term stay accommodations. Working with in-demand apartment buildings and chic, compact condo dwellings in several cities around the U.S., Mint House often brings luxury stays to destinations where high end hotels may be few, and to other destinations where a Mint House stay makes a smart and convenient alternative to a four or five-star property.

As with Airbnb, travelers go online or scroll through an app and choose what inventory is available in the city of choice and for the desired dates. The system is contactless – an amenity Mint House emphasizes in these COVID-19 times. The traveler doesn’t have to locate someone who will give them the key. Rather, their phone app unlocks the door and they enter an apartment-style studio, one bedroom, or two bedroom layout with full and equipped kitchen, bathroom, bed, smart TV, coffee maker – and even artisan coffee. No need to bother anyone at 3 am to procure or key or interact with a landlord.

Currently, Mint House is available in Louisville, Greenville, Denver, Nashville, Miami, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Milwaukee and Detroit and the founders have their eyes on Los Angeles and San Francisco. However, strict laws are at play in many first tier cities to keep rental inventory for residents of these cities, thus making it hard for companies like Mint House to procure apartments in apartment compexes, fix them up and then rent for short-term or non-permanent purposes.

For high flying business travelers Mint House makes a sweet alternative to hotel stays with a home-like ambience, and the perks of using amenities found in the greater apartment complex – pools, barbeque grills, fitness gyms, urban locations. Rentals go for market rates on 30-day stays. For instance, a one-bedroom, fully equipped apartment in Miami in July will cost around $3,000 for the month (although that will likely be more in other seasons, especially once things normalize in travel). Currently, that breaks down to about $100 per night – much less than a hotel and with much more space and privacy. For that, the guest gets Mobile check-in, 24/7 digital support, artisan coffee, high-speed Wifi, in-suite laundry, filtered water, on-demand groceries, smart TVs, full kitchen, and premium toiletries.

The company is headquartered in New York City and remains focused on the business traveler using corporate booking conduits, including all three GDS channels and Concur. Mint House hopes to fan out to many new cities in 2020 with new acquisitions and new hosts.