ghost hotel
n. A residence that is used mostly or exclusively as short-term rental accommodation, particularly when offered through an online booking service such as Airbnb.
Examples
2018
But using spatial analysis we have identified 4,700 listings across New York City (16% of all private-room listings in the city) which are in fact “ghost hotels”—entire units or even whole apartment buildings which have been converted into many private-room listings by the owner.
—David Wachsmuth, et al., “The High Cost of Short-Term Rentals in New York City” (PDF), School of Urban Planning - McGill University, January 30, 2018
2017
Victoria city council took action against so-called “ghost hotels” on several fronts Thursday, changing the landscape for condo owners and others who rent out suites and houses through online platforms such as Airbnb.
—Bill Cleverley, “Victoria cracks down on ‘ghost hotels’; some short-term rentals not allowed,” Times Colonist (Victoria, B.C.), September 21, 2017
2016
The hotel industry complains that Airbnb is competing unfairly, avoiding taxes and other costs. Other critics say the service is resulting in the saturation of desirable Toronto neighbourhoods with "ghost hotels" – properties that are let out on Airbnb full-time – squeezing out regular long-term tenants.
—Jeff Gray, “Airbnb says it doesn’t affect Toronto’s rental market,” The Globe and Mail, October 25, 2016
2016 (earliest)
This is what Canadian cities are now experiencing as Airbnb vendors and other homeshare businesses are allowed to legally create ghost hotels in residential neighbourhoods.
Posted: April 20, 2018