Airbnb reveals Australia's best hosts in national awards
Australia's best host on Airbnb has been recognised as part of the platform's national Host Awards.
This year's coveted Host of the Year award went to Alstonvale's Carla Dawes, whose Olinda Cottage listing welcomes guests with a mix of personal touches, unexpected inclusions and experiences such as homemade meals, and fresh flowers.
Carla once even lent a hand with a proposal, with Airbnb's Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand and judge Susan Wheeldon sharing: "Carla epitomises what makes a stand out Host."
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Carla Dawes, from Alstonvale, NSW, has been named Host of the Year in Airbnb's national Host Awards. Supplied
"Carla goes above and beyond to ensure her guests have the most memorable experience with many guests coming back as repeat visitors to enjoy Carla's warm hospitality and the magical stay she has created at her beautiful home," Wheeldon added.
Olinda Cottage, in the Northern Rivers region of NSW, was designed as a retreat to slow down and recharge and guests have consistently rated the property five stars, raving about the location and the effort made by Carla to make their stay the most perfect experience possible.
Speaking on the Today show, Dawes said she was incredible honoured to be recognised.
"When I moved here I looked for a property that I could turn into basically my dream accommodation, and as a traveller somewhere where I'd like to stay. So this is my little dream," she said.
You can watch the video above.
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Carla Dawes is known for going above and beyond and surprising guests with flowers and fresh food. Supplied
The most 'magical' and 'unique' stays
Awards also included categories such as Best Unique Stay, Best Designed Stay and Most Magical Experience winners range from an eco lodging built from recycled materials in Lilydale, Tasmania, to a 160-year-old converted barn in Merrijig, Victoria, as well as a mind blowing secret waterway experience in the Noosa hinterland.
Tasmanians Peter and Charlie have won the Best New Host Award for the luxury self-contained studio they run on their bush property in the beautiful Huon Valley.
Meanwhile, The Winged House – designed to look like a plane on the side of a cliff and in Table Cape, Tasmania – has picked up the Most Unique Stay award.
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The Winged House in Tasmania won the Most Unique Stay award. Supplied
Winning hosts were selected based on extensive Airbnb data, guest scores and reviews. 9News
"Being a host is not just about sharing a special place, it also allows people to showcase their local areas while having an opportunity to earn extra income to combat the rising cost of living," Wheeldon said.
Winning hosts were selected based on extensive Airbnb data, guest scores and reviews, with oversight from a panel of judges that included Susan Wheeldon, and Superhost Merrydith Callegari, who sits on Airbnb's global Host Advisory Board.
