Airbnb has something special in store for pop-culture buffs this summer.
The online homestay platform has just launched a new category titled Icons that will bring travelers extraordinary experiences steeped in music, film, television, sports, and more.
“Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination—until now,” Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky said in a statement. “As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world.”
The first 11 experiences unveiled on Wednesday run the gamut from an overnight stay in the Musée d’Orsay’s iconic clock room to an intimate living room performance by Doja Cat. One clear standout is the opportunity to go VIP with Kevin Hart. The comedian will take you to his members-only speakeasy, the Coramino Live Lounge, for a tequila tasting and standup show.
The recreation of the “Up” house.
Airbnb
Moving from comedy to cars, auto enthusiasts can spend the night at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy. During the stay, you’ll catch Zs on a plush bed crafted from the same leather as Ferrari seats, take a lap on the race course with Scuderia Ferrari ambassador Marc Gené, and head to the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix as a VIP.
Cinephiles are catered for, too. You can sleep inside the iconic home from the animated hit Up, for example. Located in Abiquiu, New Mexico, the recreation is adorned with more than 8,000 balloons and even floats (with the help of a crane). Alternatively, you could pretend you’re a mutant outcast and stay in a reimagining of the X-Mansion from X-Men in Westchester, New York, or spend the night in the control center of Riley’s emotions from Inside Out 2.
Music lovers can even book a getaway to the home featured in 1984’s Purple Rain. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the legendary abode has never been open to the public, until now. Guests will also be able to channel Prince with an exclusive studio session.
The recreation of the “X-Men” Mansion.
Airbnb
Other highlights of the Icons program include touring with reggaeton superstar Feid, gaming in Milan with TikTok sensation Khaby Lame, and hanging in India with Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor.
This is not the first time Airbnb has offered stays inspired by the zeitgeist. The company has previously listed Barbie’s pretty, pink Malibu Dreamhouse and DJ Khaled’s legendary sneaker closet, for example. The Icons program allows guests to interact with celebs too, though. In this way, Airbnb is capitalizing on the rise of experiential travel by catering to the jet-setters looking for more than the traditional tourist activities and locations.
“With Icons, we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth,” Chesky adds.
Most Icon experiences are free, or priced under $100 per guest. The kicker is that you have to win a digital golden ticket to secure the booking. Airbnb says more than 4,000 tickets will be available in 2024. The company says new Icon experiences will be dropping throughout the year, too. Stay tuned.
