Sad ad for $86-a-night tent homestay in someone’s Doonside backyard slammed online
Australians are divided after they spotted a backyard tent being rented out for more than $80 a night on a popular accommodation website.
A potential visitor to Sydney was browsing options on booking.com and came across an unusual offer.
“Just looking for accommodations for a Saturday night and came across this ‘hotel’ tent in some random backyard,” the person said on social media, before joking that it looked “in tents.”
According to booking.com, the rental offers visitors their own “soundproof tent” with a jacuzzi, terrace and flat-screen TV.
“Located in Doonside, 18km from Western Sydney Stadium…an outdoor marquee, shared bathroom, air-conditioned rooms with terrace and free Wi-Fi,” the advert says.
The hotel overlooks a quiet street. It is 25 km from Qudos Bank Arena and 25 km from Sydney Exhibition Centre.
A tent is set up in the backyard of a house in Doonside. Photo: Booking.com
“The property overlooks a quiet street. It is 25km from Qudos Bank Arena and 25km from Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre,” the advert reads.
“The family has a flat-screen TV. Towels and bed linen are included in the price. This is a non-smoking home and is non-smoking.’
While some commentators sympathize with the need to make money amid the cost of living crisis, others have criticized the organization as an illegal money grab that should be reported to the local council.
“Like, do they have board approval to begin with, who are the people in the house?” So many questions!” one person responded.
“I would believe it, the cost of living crisis is real. People do whatever they can to make more money,” another wrote.
“Can you share the link please? Glad to call the council,” wrote a third.
Other commenters turned their attention to homestay conditions and wondered how visitors would be able to survive the heat wave that will sweep through the city this week.
“There will be 43 and thunderstorms in parts of Sydney on Saturday. The last place I would want to bake in a tent!” the person wrote.
“$86 to get boiled alive in your own juice!?!?” Fucking hell. Must be removed by website as part of quality control.”
“Haha, wow, that’s brave. Asking for $86 is also an absolute stretch,” wrote a third.
While some commentators sympathized with the need to earn money amid the cost of living crisis, others criticized the scheme as an illegal cash grab that should be reported to the local council.
For a five-night stay from Monday to Friday, the tent will set you back $247, but owners charge higher prices on weekends.
The post received no shortage of comments as other Australians debated whether they would stay booked at that price.
“I mean, it’s kind of a good use of space, but damn, $86 is a lot. For the same (price) you can rent a studio for 1 person in a more convenient area,” one person noted.
“People rent tents in their living rooms for long periods of time! I think they thought, “Why not?” another wrote.
“Air conditioning, soundproofing and a flat screen TV??! Living the high life with it,” someone else joked.
For a five-night stay Monday through Friday, the tent will set you back $247, but owners charge higher prices on weekends.
Its unique benefits have certainly got people talking.
“Soundproof tent. Interesting,” said the commentator.