Today Airbnb announced Icons – a new category of “extraordinary experiences” hosted by big names in music, film, television, art, sports, and more. There are also some new features that make organising a group trip less of a chore.
Words by Simone Mitchell
For a while now Airbnb has been releasing headline-grabbing, one-of-a-kind experiences.
Think having a sleep-over at Gwyneth Paltrow’s guest house. Spending an evening in a Hobbit’s boudoir. Living your best life in Barbie’s Malibu house. Languishing in Shrek’s swamp. Having your own Kevin McCallister moment in the Home Alone house.
Well that side of things is about to be ramped up. Recently, Airbnb introduced Icons, “a new category of extraordinary experiences hosted by the greatest names in music, film, television, art, sports, and more. Icons take worlds you’ve only ever dreamed of and turn them into reality”.
They have kicked things off with 11 experiences, and more will be announced throughout the year.
Icons are featured in their own category on the Airbnb homepage. Most Icons are free, and all are priced under$100 USD per guest. A countdown displays the time until each Icon goes live, and guests can request to book through the app. Guests who are selected will receive a digital golden ticket, and more than 4,000 tickets will be available in 2024.
Perhaps the most mind-boggling is the opportunity to “drift up” in the house from the iconic Pixar film Up!
And there’s a crane to actually lift you into the sky. To make the reenactment truly complete, you should be sobbing uncontrollably. Picture: Airbnb
Set dressers have done an incredible job on this detailed recreation of Carl Fredricksen’s home. It comes with more than 8,000 balloons, and is located in the red rocks of Abiquiu, New Mexico.
For Drive to Survive fans there is the opportunity to stay the night in the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy. You’ll sleep surrounded by their F1 vehicles, in a bed made from the same leather they use to make Ferrari seats.
Love your live music? Join a living room session with Doja Cat. Fresh off a tour performing on the world’s biggest stages, Doja will be hosting some lucky fans for a much more intimate experience. You’ll enjoy an unforgettable living room performance from the Grammy-winning artist. Just think of the Instagram content that could come from that …
If comedy is more your speed, there’s a VIP experience with Kevin Hart. Fans can enter his members-only secret speakeasy the Coramino Live Lounge for an A-list evening with Kevin and his pals. The experience includes a tequila tasting and live stand-up.
The stunning bedroom in the museum’s iconic clock room. Picture: Airbnb
For those who are slightly more high-brow, there’s an incredible opportunity to stay the night in Paris’ Musée d’Orsay. Guests will stay in the 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. Again, epic bragging rights.
Other experiences include:
Stay in Prince’s Purple Rain house
This one will thrill Prince fans. Picture: Airbnb
Prince purchased the Minneapolis, Minnesota 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, Italy 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 the reggaeton superstar 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 is inviting you into the legendary,never-before-seen Kapoor family home in Chennai, India. From learning her Bollywood beauty secrets to tasting her favorite southern Indian dishes, Janhvi 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’re invited to an overnight stay at Headquarters, the control center of Riley’s emotions. Your host, Joy, will welcome you into her vibrant world to witness the emotions inaction and help keep things in balance.
Step into X-Men ‘97
One of the rooms in the X-Men mansion. Picture: Airbnb
… in a 2D animated re-creation of Marvel Animation’s X-Mansion in Westchester, New York.
In other news, organising a group trip also just became easier
If you are the poor sod / control freak that usually organises a group trip, there are a few other new features that Airbnb rolled out today that will make your job a little easier.
As an Airbnb spokesperson points out, “more than 80 per cent of bookings on Airbnb are group trips, but the app wasn’t designed for groups. That’s why we’re introducing new features that make planning group trips easier than ever”.
These features include:
Shared wishlists – You can now 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.
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.
New Messages tab – If you have been the one in charge of organsing a stay, you know how time consuming it can be liaising with the host, and asking questions on your group’s behalf. A redesigned Messages tab now allows everyone on a trip to message with 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.
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