Hotel rooms are booked. Bed-and-breakfasts don’t even have roll-away cots left. And campgrounds? Forget about it. Those spaces were taken a long time ago.
So what’s left for the visitor who comes to Arizona seeking lodging during the Super Bowl? Private homes, of course.
According to an article on Fox News in Phoenix, the big game is days away, the scramble for housing is on, and those who are in the area are ready to claim their piece of the pie.
With thousands of visitors ready to descend, the time is ripe for would-be hoteliers to display their hospitality – and their entrepreneurism.
The article notes,
One Scottsdale home owner is renting out his home for $30,000. So what do you get for $30k? A location in Old Town Scottsdale near lots of the best Super Bowl night life, enough beds and space to accommodate 10 people, and bathrooms, spas, pools – in short, a whole lot of water. The house is 3,200 square feet and designed for parties, gatherings – and oddly enough, Super Bowl crowds. "I built it eight years-ago and it used to be a little residential house, I got a little carried away and built this big beautiful home," said Walt Passolt. He's the owner of the home.
There might be water conservation measures in place, but don’t expect anyone to take note. At least not during the Super Bowl. And this home has quite a bit to offer.
"The back yard puts a smile on people's faces, I just started building two big waterfalls, a big barbecue area, a putting green, and a lot of room to lay out," said Passtole.
Walt is confident he can get the $28,000 to $30,000 he wants for 10 days of renting when the Super Bowl comes.
Owners of more modest homes, meanwhile, will be glad to rent out their guest rooms, fold-out sofas, attics, finished basements and any other available space – provided it’s not claimed already by relatives or friends who are dropping by for the game. And while it's a pretty safe bet those lodgings won't cost $30,000, visitors should be prepared to open their wallets -- after all, this is premium space at a premium time.
The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau says the city is bracing for impact. In addition to the lodging boom, there are restaurants, businesses and more that expect to benefit.
In fact, notes the CVB, the day after the Super Bowl is expected to be the busiest day of the year for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, as the number of passengers is expected to be about 60 percent higher than the average day.
Or you could just spend an extra day or two in someone’s house.