Airbnb targets Naples hotel, accusing it of price gouging over Memorial Day weekend

Airbnb is criticizing hotel chains for their high rates this holiday weekend, once again accusing them of price gouging. 

In a report, Airbnb looks at pricing in 14 cities and seven other popular destinations for the Memorial Day weekend.

The analysis includes Naples, where the average room price per night for May 26-28 is quoted at $215. That compares with $91 for a room booked through Airbnb, which translates to a savings of $372 for the three nights. 

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The report singles out three hotels for their expensive rates including the 4.5-star LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort in North Naples, which a search on hotels.com showed charging $429 a night. A spokeswoman for the resort declined to comment.

Airbnb is an online marketplace that connects people who want to rent out their homes with people who want to rent them. In its report, the company accuses the big hotel chains of attacking its hosts so they can "continue exploiting their control of supply in markets" and increase prices for consumers.

Hoteliers and the American Hotel and Lodging Association have waged a war against Airbnb, saying it has promoted the growth of "illegal hotels," disrupting communities and hurting affordable housing.

In its report, Airbnb said it's making "city economies stronger" and giving "millions of everyday people the chance to travel to cities and neighborhoods they might have missed if they had stayed in a hotel." 

More than 800 room nights were booked on Airbnb in the Naples area for the Memorial Day weekend. That compares with about 460 a year ago, demonstrating the growing popularity of the online marketplace here. 

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"What we're seeing is middle class families who otherwise might not be able to afford local hotel prices are increasingly able to visit and experience Naples thanks to Airbnb. This is a trend we're observing in many markets both big and small, including here in Florida," said Benjamin Breit, an Airbnb spokesman. 

Jack Wert, executive director of the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Visitors & Convention Bureau, said he's never seen Airbnb use such an aggressive tactic against hotels — or target one in Naples.

"We really don't have much control on the rates that hotels charge," he said. "That is really based on their analysis of supply and demand and Airbnb, their accommodations are offering something different, sometimes just a room, sometimes a room with a kitchen. It's a different type of stay. So I don't think you can really compare the two."

Rates in the Naples area haven't fallen as quickly as they usually do after the busy season ends. Traditionally, season ends after Easter, but hotels have been "pretty full" in April and May, Wert said. 

"I think you'll see some rates start to drop in June. When school is out, they are looking at more of the family market. They are definitely more rate conscious," he said.