In this episode, know how we stayed overnight at the Pearl-Qatar using Airbnb. And get a crash course on how to make a pancake
breakfast from Jasmine.
Have you ever dreamed of staying in one of these units even just for one night?
Many of us had been to the Pearl area - a man-made island known for its Mediterranean-inspired architecture
a picturesque marina and a lot of cool cafes and restaurants
but
how many actually know that we can spend a night or two here for a price a little less than the standard hotel in Qatar?
I've been a member of Airbnb back during our first travel to Japan in April 2016.
This was where I got my first-hand experience and how it is to stay in an Airbnb abroad.
Moreover, it gave me a heads-up and an idea by the time I hosted my own Airbnb in the Philippines.
It's a studio unit located in one of the premier urban community at the center of Quezon City
which I started offering through Airbnb in 2016 as well.
Airbnb allow unit owners to lease-out their space or their property for travelers on a short-term basis.
This online platform is very popular in touristy places where hotel accommodation is very expensive.
And since I started using it myself
I can say, I'm totally solved with this concept and had been recommending it to my friends since then.
So one day we decided to try Airbnb in Qatar.
It's not yet a popular option for locals and not many areas in Qatar are available for free hold ownership by foreign nationals.
Try checking the site and you'll see a very limited entry for now.
But I was always fascinated with the idea of spending an overnight at the Pearl and when I found out that it's only through Airbnb
that I will get the experience this, I immediately grabbed the opportunity for my family. And why not?
A nice view... a weekend stroll at the Pearl...
Talk about living the good life here in Qatar!
We started by a late (check-out) CHECK-IN after work.
We went straight to the reception as mentioned in the check-in instruction and a staff accompanied us to the unit.
It was really spacious from the Philippine standard of a studio unit. It was actually as mentioned in the property description.
The view is definitely its advantage. One that is in front of the marina with the west bay skyline on the far end.
 
Hello, we're here in our unit.
And for security purposes, I will not be showing you our unit number.
 
Ok, so there's only one light (laugh). So it's your choice to turn on the light outside or inside...
Wise!
So there it is...
and
 
they also have a shower area.
 
It's clean.
(they also provided) tissue...
they also gave a soap bar...
 
and of course don't use these glasses.
And since it's your option (laugh)
 
the light will turn on
So now... they have kitchen
And.... it's fully equipped.
 
they have a refrigerator
and they have (oven)...
i don't know if its working
but... hopefully...
they have like that
they have microwave oven
they have cutleries
I don't know if they have plates
there they have plates inside
 
 
they also have glasses here
And then this is the dining table
They also have a small living area. It's actually
same as what is in the
advertisement
So there's the bed, they also have cabinets which you can use especially for long stays
and
they also have ironing board
and i think
the best thing about this unit is
this!
very nice view!
So what I'l be doing first guys is that
ahmm...
you know, if it is Airbnb
they provide utensils
especially, like this (bowl)
we know that the hosts are already cleaning these
but it is still best
to clean it ourselves
especially if you are going to use it
right now, what I'm planning to wash
are...
 
these spoons...
Coz I'm (we are) going to eat first
so that's why we need to
put it in hot water
Then, as what we always do
we checked the amenities
and planned for our dinner
It was nice to know that a newly-opened MONOP
which is a smaller version of a MONOPRIX, recently opened just below the same building of our Airbnb.
It makes it easier to purchase small items that you might have missed while packing your things.
Also, the Pearl-Qatar is known to have a lot of restaurants.
As tenants, residents, and even visitors, you may also use the facilities like the water taxis, the tuktuks, and the golf carts to go around
the area.
Dada: Are you "busog"(full)?
Dada: Really?
Jasmine: Yes
Jasmine: I wanna go to swim
Dada: Let's go!
The next day the only agenda is to teach Jasmine how to cook pancakes. Since our Airbnb has a really nice kitchen,
it was an opportunity to film it there.
Jasmine: Hi guys!
Jasmine: Today, we're going to make
pancakes!
Dada: Is it yummy? Jasmine: Yes
Dada: Ok
Dada: So what do you need to make your pancake?
Dada: What's that?
Jasmine: Ahmm...
Mama: Pancake mix. Jasmine: Pancake mix
Dada: Ok...
Jasmine: Here's the milk
Dada: Only that? Jasmine: Yeah!  Dada: Alright. Ok... so what do you do first?
 
Jasmine: Put
powder
in the bowl
Dada: Ok, so...
 
 
 
Jasmine: Now,  we put some
Mama: Milk
Jasmine: Ok
Dada: Is that how you make your pancake?
Jasmine: Yes.
 
Jasmine: Now, we stir it.
Mama: Slowly
Dada: Ok?
Jasmine: Not yet
 
Dada: Why do you like pancake?
Jasmine: Because its my
favorite!
Dada: Ok... And then, what do you mix with your pancake after
Dada: you put what? Jasmine: Syrup.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Jasmine: It's my finish pancake!
Jasmine: And then, I'll put some syrup
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chill Friday
and with this view
how could you
go wrong? and...
there...
this Airbnb is so cool!
 
 
And just like what I'm doing every weekend...
of course
watching vlogs
and that's how you will learn.
So for those of you who are interested to know how you will be able to enjoy
the benefits of Airbnb... I would be
inviting you to click this link. I'll put this in the description box so that
you would be able to create your own account. Then once you create your own account, you can
actually
book already, so like for example, I'll be putting this link on
on Facebook and see... your immediate benefit is that you are going to get
P2554
or that's approximately
around
QR180 on your first trip. It's good. Like for example... if you want to
search for homes in the Pearl
 
then Airbnb will show the
 
available units here at the Pearl and their prices. So since I'm also hosting (my unit)
our prices are pegged in (PHIL) PESO. So they have lots of units here... like those with balcony
you just have to check their availability. You will see that in the calendar.
So here you will see their availability and the price per night. So for this example... just check their minimum
their minimum (stay) requirement before you appreciate the unit. Sometimes you already like a unit but it's no longer available
So you also check the host
check also the ratings. But don't depend on the ratings
 
since, you know, we have different experiences.
and you can always
have a contact with your host
like this, our host is Mr. Suleman
our host for this trip
He's super okay because he's also very kind
So, yeah, and you can always
 
maintain your communication. And yeah, if you will notice
this is their rate, here's the fee. This what we need to pay but because of
 
 
discounts, which I will be showing you.
So, there you go, here's the date, June 12
so
 
 
So this is the total for one night, Php4,000+  with cleaning fee, and service fee
this varies (cleaning fee) but the service fee (Airbnb charge) is fixed, so in Phil Peso
that's Php7,400 but
I also used some accumulated coupons which is Php5,000 and I also have an (accumulated) credit (points)
so this is the only amount that we need to pay
Php1,214
or around
Qr87!
Like for example, you will be receiving the invitation from me
So you will be getting US$34 (discount) on your first trip. And after your trip
 
after you book and after your reservation
you can also share your own link so that you can also earn while sharing your discount link
to your friends. So, it's really a win-win situation.
So, here are some of the tips that I will be giving you when booking a unit through Airbnb. First, check the profile
of the unit
check if the basic facilities are there. Like for example, there's a toilet. And we were surprised
because, in this
Airbnb unit
they have lots of cabinets. So it's ready for cleaning
So for long stays, they have big cabinets.
You can actually hide here. So this is really ideal for long stays.
I actually thought
this is a connecting room. But it's for washing machine which we didn't use.
of course
here's the kitchen so leave it clean
when you go out
so there's the TV
they have internet, extra cabinets, and of course, as I've mentioned earlier
you have to be a good guest
so
its good that we are right
opposite the
trash room, so
 
 
let's put it here
 
Always check
their rules and regulations
of course, you cant throw a refrigerator! (just trying to be funny, hehehe)
 
 
So its actually very clean (well maintained).
 
And back to our unit.
 
At least, we can now say that
we will leave the unit
clean and in order.
Jasmine, can you help me? Can you (fix) arrange the chairs, please?
We're ready to go so we have to turn off the TV.
Let's turn off all the appliances and the lights.
So we're ready to go
and
say bye bye to them Jasmine.
Bye bye, thank you for hosting us!
 
We will just return the key.
Thank you very much.
So, anything else?
Nothing, huh? Alright.
Thank you.
Which one? Check out. Yeah.
Alright. Thank you.
 
So last look...
 
This is the lobby.
 
 
They also allocate parking space for all their guests.
 
 
Airbnb is a beautiful online community and a platform where you can choose a place to spend a memorable vacation around the world.
The concept is "living like a local" where you can stay at the host's place,
shop at their market, eat in a local restaurant, and do what the locals do. Basically, live the culture of the land you are in.
The hosts play an important role in giving guests these basic information.
The unit is just the starting point, and the rest is up for the guests to explore.
If you want to experience this yourself,
click the Airbnb registration link in the description box and create your own account. By using our link,
you will be enjoying instant booking discount on your next trip.
So i think we will no longer be allowed to enter there because there's a guard.
 
So this is the (part of the Pearl) island
that i want to show you. But i doubt
if we will be allowed entry
ISOLA DANA. So it's guarded
there's no way we will be able to go through
 
ISOLA DANA
This is the part (of the Pearl) composed of islets.
 
 
Sorry guys, it's not possible.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
So when you enter (Qanat Quartier)
 
 
 
 
there's Kempinski
 
 
Marsa Malaz
There's also an available Airbnb here directly opposite Kempinski. We didn't get it since it's not available.
But its one of our priority (unit)
This is ideal if you like Mediterranean-inspired theme
 
 
So imagine, right?
For example, you don't want to stay in a hotel
you can also consider Airbnb. And they also have a restaurant here
 
 
It's called Talia Mare wherein you can get an access to the beach.
 
You just need to pay to the restaurant, as a customer,  and then
they will allow you
to use the beach.
Thank you so much for joining us in our short tour around THE PEARL
and
in our AIRBNB STAYCATION. I just stopped so it will be safe
to make an outro.
Hope to see you in the next video. Bye!
