Airbnb Launches "Icons" Category Featuring Unbelievable Stays and Experiences
Airbnb has dramatically expanded its offerings with the debut of "Icons," a new category that presents travelers with extraordinary accommodations and experiences around the world. Announced at the Airbnb Summer Release event in Los Angeles, the company unveiled an initial list of 11 unique stays that include both real and fantastical elements, enhancing the global travel landscape.
The Icons category features a diverse range of epic stays such as a room behind the Musée d’Orsay’s famed clock face during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony and a real-life replica of the floating house from Disney’s "Up." These experiences, revealed by Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky, promise to transform imaginative concepts into tangible realities for guests.
Airbnb's most imaginative offering includes a meticulously detailed replica of the house from "Up," complete with thousands of colorful balloons that allow the house to float above the red rocks of Abiquiu, New Mexico. This stay not only recreates the iconic animated home but also features elements like Carl's glasses and Ellie's adventure book, providing a fully immersive experience.
In addition to fantastical stays, Airbnb's Icons also include more grounded experiences, such as a night at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy, surrounded by legendary Formula 1 cars, and celebrity-hosted events like an intimate performance by Grammy-winning artist Doja Cat and a private comedy set with Kevin Hart.
Each Icon experience is designed to be accessible, with many being free or less than $100 per person. Airbnb has released 4,000 "Icons" tickets for 2024, emphasizing the uniqueness and exclusivity of these experiences. Chesky highlights that while much of modern life is experienced digitally, Airbnb is focused on creating real-world magic, offering unforgettable moments that surpass the confines of imagination.