Ourbnb & Airbnb Meet Up

Airbnb got in contact with us last week to ask if we would like to meet and have some photos taken for part of a Christmas promotion. Of course we would! So we headed down to the Airbnb Barcelona office on Tuesday to meet the team and see their beautiful office. It is located on Passeig de Gràcia, right in the very heart of Barcelona. The only way to be more central would be to have a desk on Plaça de Catalunya!

As we travelled up the antique lift we wondered how a new and trend setting company would have their office in a very traditional apartment block.

We were greeted at the door by our wonderful airbnb contact/friend Natalia and walked in to the most amazing office. If I did have to go back to work in an office environment this would have to be it. The coolest place to work in town, no doubt about it. Very traditional with tiled original Catalan floors, white washed walls with very high elaborate ceilings.

The halls are wide with a wonderful feeling of space. Natalia showed us around; first there is a little library with a big comfy chair to sit down and relax as soon as you come in. Some books, photos of some of the unusual airbnb listings around the world and a world globe (note to self – bring smoking jacket and pipe next time)!  From here down the large hall is the main working area which is minimalist and has a mix of antique furniture with modern desks, plenty of iMacs and a stunning view of Barcelona. The kitchen is great but my favorite things here was the cool (excuse the pun) multicoloured Smeg fridge!!

We had a great chat with Jeroen and it was great to hear how well Airbnb are doing in Europe. The feeling we got was that Barcelona is one of the flag ships of Airbnb successes. Nice to know we have been a small part of its amazing results. He was very to pleased to hear about our plans with our new apartments.

The atmosphere in this place is very positive and energetic. The staff are all very happy and friendly, they are very proud to be part of airbnb which is so great to see. The photographer was there to get some photos and we were asked if we would be in a picture with the team which was so nice and we felt like an extended part of it all.

You know your in good company when the office doesn’t have a conference room, they call it an idea’s room. After the team photo we had some pictures taken of Fiona and myself decorating a Christmas tree. All very Bing Crosby & David Bowie!

Thanks for inviting us down, it was great to see the office and to meet you all.

Happy Christmas to team Airbnb Barcelona!

Phil and Fiona