Airbnb adds once-in-a-lifetime stays category and easier group booking tools
Airbnb's latest update is here. It will have guests staying in awe-inspiring Airbnbs and make it easier than ever to plan a trip with friends.
Over the years, Airbnb has been known to create some of the wildest once-in-a-lifetime guest experiences, from spending the night in Barbie's Malibu Dream House to kickin' like Will Smith in the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" mansion.
But those mostly one-off stays were only for a select few lucky people who could book them, leaving the rest of us dreaming about the experience.
Now, with Airbnb's summer 2024 release, a new Airbnb category called "Icons" will introduce more of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences on a more regular basis. This means more people can likely stay at these over-the-top, hyper-themed homes. (Well, they're not all homes.)
Related: How to earn cash back or points when booking Airbnbs, Vrbo rentals, hostels and more
"Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination—until now," Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO, said. "As life becomes increasingly digital, we're focused on bringing more magic into the real world. With Icons, we've created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth."
For now, Airbnb shared the first 11 Icons, and noted that new experiences will roll out throughout the year.
The first Icons
Icon experiences, according to a statement by Airbnb, are mostly free or cost less than $100 per guest. Each Icon has a "Request" button where Airbnb members can request to book; more than 4,000 "Golden Tickets" will be given out for people to book Icon stays. Here are the eye-popping options that will be in the first wave of offerings.
Drift off in the Up house
Sleep inside one of Disney and Pixar's most iconic homes — and yes, it floats. You'll explore Carl's world in this detailed re-creation of his home, complete with more than 8,000 balloons; it's in the scenic red rocks of Abiquiu, New Mexico.
Spend the night in the Ferrari Museum
Immerse yourself in the world of racing with a stay at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy. You'll sleep on a bed crafted from the same leather as a Ferrari's seats, take a lap with Scuderia Ferrari ambassador driver Marc Gene and head to Emilia-Romagna's premier race as a VIP.
Step into X-Men '97
Live like the X-Men as you stay in a re-creation of Marvel Animation's X-Mansion in Westchester, New York. You'll discover your mutant abilities and even train in the Danger Room.
Go VIP with Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart will take you inside his members-only Coramino Live Lounge for an A-list evening. You'll join Kevin and his friends in this secret speak-easy, where you'll be treated to a tequila tasting and live stand-up by the best comedians in the game.
Wake up in the Musee d'Orsay
Stay in the Paris art museum's iconic clock room, which has been transformed into a luxurious bedroom by Mathieu Lehanneur, designer of the Paris 2024 Games torch and cauldron. From the terrace, you'll witness the historic Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games along the River Seine.
Join a living room session with Doja Cat
Fresh off a tour performing on the world's biggest stages, Doja is hosting a much more intimate experience. You'll enjoy an unforgettable living room performance from the Grammy-winning artist, including her favorite songs and tracks from her latest album.
Stay in Prince's Purple Rain house
Prince purchased the Minneapolis home featured in the legendary film Purple Rain, but it's never been available to the public until now. Explore the home and go crazy for rare and special tracks from Prince's world in an exclusive studio session.
Game with Khaby Lame
TikTok sensation Khaby Lame invites you to his hometown of Milan for an epic, overnight gaming experience. You'll stay in a one-of-a-kind gaming loft that Khaby designed himself, where you'll #learnfromkhaby and face off with him in a Fortnite Battle Royale.
Go on tour with Feid
Join reggaeton superstar Feid on his Ferxxocalipsis World Tour for an entire week. You'll join the crew for rehearsals, ride along on the tour bus and get backstage access for every show.
Live like Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor
Janhvi Kapoor will host you in her legendary, never-before-seen Kapoor family home in Chennai, India. From learning her Bollywood beauty secrets to tasting her favorite southern Indian dishes, Kapoor will host you personally on this ultimate overnight stay.
Make core memories with "Inside Out 2"
In anticipation of the June 14 release of Disney and Pixar's new movie "Inside Out 2," you'll have the unique opportunity to stay overnight at Headquarters, the control center of Riley's emotions. Your host, Joy, will welcome you into her vibrant world to witness the emotions in action and help keep things in balance.
New features for planning group trips
Everyone who has ever tried to plan a trip with friends or family knows it can be a hassle, so Airbnb has added a handful of new features to make the process easier for everyone involved. After all, Airbnb says that more than 80% of its users are booking group trips. Here's the latest, as explained by the home-sharing platform:
Related: These are the 10 most-liked Airbnbs on Instagram
Shared wishlists
You can now easily share your wishlists with others on your trip, inviting them to add homes, write notes and vote on listings. When you share listings with others, the app creates a wishlist with these homes.
New Messages tab
A redesigned Messages tab now allows everyone on a trip to message the host in a group thread. The simplified design consolidates all guest, host and customer support messages in one place, making it easy to search across messages. Reactions allow guests and hosts to respond with emojis and AI-suggested quick replies help hosts instantly answer common questions.
Trip invitations
Once you book a trip, you can invite others to join you with digital postcards of your destination illustrated by artists from around the world. Everyone joining the trip will get all reservation details, including the full address, Wi-Fi password and check-in instructions
Bottom line
Love it or hate it, Airbnb knows how to wow, and this latest update is one that offers more once-in-a-lifetime experiences for more than just a few people. These heart-string-pulling experiences are also a great way to draw more people back into the Airbnb ecosphere.
Although the Icon experiences are sweet, having more tools to plan Airbnb stays with friends is a convenience most of us will love more than staying in a "floating" house.
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