Since late 2025, Airbnb has changed how its fees work. Guests no longer see a separate service fee at checkout. Instead, Airbnb now takes 15.5% of every booking directly from hosts. The fee hasn’t disappeared; it’s simply hidden inside the price. Like most hosts, we’ve had to raise our Airbnb rates to absorb it. That never felt right to us.
We would much rather see that money go where it actually improves your time here: into the houses, the gardens, our new plans — like the outdoor kitchen and sauna — and, last but not least, into the local people who take care of Yuna. And honestly? We would also rather not hand it to a big tech platform. Yuna is a small, personal project. We prefer to work with people, not with algorithms.
What booking directly means for you
- The best price. Our direct rates are always lower than on Airbnb or Booking.com — no platform fee means no markup.
- A little welcome gift. When you book directly, something local will be waiting for you on arrival. A small thank-you for supporting us.
- Direct contact, from day one. No chat systems or ticket queues. From the moment you book, you’re in touch with us — and with uChill, our local partner in Viana do Castelo who welcomes you at check-in and is always nearby if you need anything during your stay.
How direct booking works
When you click “Book now” on our website, you’ll be taken to our booking system, which we run together with uChill, our trusted local partner. It’s a secure, fully GDPR-compliant system, and your payment and personal details are handled safely. Same houses, same beds, same sunsets — just a fairer deal for everyone.
And a tip for wherever you travel next
Airbnb works brilliantly as a platform — no argument there. But the scrappy startup it once was, built around people sharing their homes, is long gone. So wherever you’re heading next: take a minute to google the place you’d like to stay. Many small hosts and family-run places have their own websites, with better rates and a more personal welcome. Book there. It makes a real difference to the people behind it.
Thank you for supporting a small place like ours. It genuinely matters.
