Airbnb will open its own apartment block

Next year the first Airbnb apartment block will open for business near Disney World in Florida.

It's not owned or run by the platform, but "powered" by it. In practice, this means the company will offer design advice and and be the building's brand partner.

The block has been specifically designed to enable Airbnb stays to be as seamless as possible for both hosts and guests.

There are 324 one-, two- and three-bedroom units which all have keyless entry, secure storage for hosts' possessions, an app that syncs with Airbnb and plenty of communal space.