Airbnb removes enterprising New Yorker’s ’boutique’ igloo listed for $200-a-night

Patrick Horton and his roommates spent hours building the igloo in Brooklyn
He listed it as a ‘Boutique Winter Igloo for 2’ on the property-sharing site
But an Airbnb rep contacted him to say it didn’t meet occupancy standards

Khaleda Rahman For Dailymail.com

Published:
21:43 GMT, 26 January 2016

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Updated:
22:18 GMT, 26 January 2016

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An enterprising New Yorker had planned to turn one of the worst snowstorms in the city’s history into a money spinner by building an igloo in his backyard and offering it as a getaway for $200 a night on Airbnb.

But Patrick Horton said his listing lasted just six hours on the property-sharing website before he was told it was being removed for not meeting occupancy standards.

Horton, a freelance art director, and his roommates capitalized on Saturday’s blizzard by spending six hours building the structure in trendy Greenpoint in Brooklyn after more than two feet of snow fell in the city.

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Patrick Horton said his Airbnb listing lasted just six hours on the property-sharing website before he was told it was being removed for not meeting occupancy standards

The listing showed the igloo, in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, was furnished with working lights, waterproof pillows and a throw for comfort

He then advertised it as a ‘Boutique Winter Igloo for 2’ on Airbnb along with a tongue-in-cheek description highlighting the igloo’s ‘natural elements and handmade craftsmanship’.

‘Dripping with ingenuity and alt-lifestyle aura lays the Snopocalypse of 2016’s most desirable getaway,’ it said.

‘Hand-crafted, and built using only natural elements – we’re offering the experience of a lifetime in this chic dome-style bungalow for you and bae.’

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But on Sunday, Airbnb got in touch to say the listing did not meet their required standards.

Horton shared the email sent to him by a member of Airbnb’s Trust and Safety Team on Sunday with Daily Mail Online.

It said: ‘We are happy to see that you guys are staying busy and having fun during Blizpocalypse.

‘Unfortunately, your igloo, while very well constructed, has failed to meet our occupancy standards and has been removed from search results.’

Although conceding that Horton’s igloo was ‘well constructed’, Airbnb said the structure did not meet their occupancy standards

The igloo, in trendy Greenpoint, Brooklyn, is within walking distance of the area’s bars and restaurants

But his hard work wasn’t all for nothing, as he did receive a $50 promo code that he can use for his own getaway.

The spokesman added: ‘As an appreciator of fine igloos, I did want to offer you an coupon that you can use to book your first reservation as a guest.

‘Be sure to pick a place with running water, electricity, and a roof that doesn’t melt.’

But before his listing was removed, Horton says he received five enquiries while the listing was still live.

‘Interestingly enough, Airbnb actually allows igloos to be rented,’ he told AFP. ‘There are igloos on their site but for some reason ours did not meet the qualifications.’

Horton says he is thinking about advertising the igloo on Craigslist – despite a second day of warmer temperatures and sunny weather which has seen some of New York’s enormous snowfall melt.