Airbnb hosts slammed for “fatphobic” rule

Airbnb hosts slammed for “fatphobic” rule

The hosts of an Airbnb cottage in Kent are under fire after banning people with “eating disorders” from staying at their listing.

Hosts Zsu and Marcus have been branded ‘fatphobic’ after posting an ad for their property, Bobbit’s Lair, stating “NO persons with eating disorders may book we have a maximum weight 100kg pp”.

According to Kent Online, body positivity activist Lindsay McGlone told her 16,900 followers on Instagram not to stay at the property.

“Please don’t stay at Bobbits Lair, Kent. They should be held accountable. How is this acceptable?” she said.

“I want you to call out fatphobic language.”

The ad was later amended to say “no persons maximum weight 100kg PP very old oak beams”.

The listing appears to still be active on Airbnb; however, all mention of weight restrictions seems to have disappeared.

Source: Airbnb

Zsu and Marcus defended their actions in response to the furious comments explaining they realised the limit would be necessary when someone asked about the bath size and how wide the doors were.

“We said “not suitable for disabled guests,” they said.

“Then the penny dropped once they booked. We had to cancel as the cottage could have been seriously damaged during their stay.

“Understand the pictures are wide-angle; bigger than average people are NOT ALLOWED TO STAY!”

The £199 ($350) listing is a restored 15th-century cottage in the medieval village of Sandwich complete with a hot tub and fire pit.

A spokesperson for the home-sharing platform told Travel Weekly its mission was to “create a world where everyone can belong anywhere”.

“Discrimination and bias have no place in our community, and we have suspended the listing while we address the matter raised,” the Airbnb spokesperson said.

“We enforce a strict non-discrimination policy and under our Open Doors initiative, if a guest feels they have been discriminated against, we will provide personalised support to ensure they find a place to stay.”


Featured image source: Airbnb

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]