'The ultimate Airbnb?' Airbnb's CEO on his dream rental
When it comes to bedding down in unusual places (everywhere from Arctic igloos to apocalyptic underground bunkers), Airbnb has always done things differently, but the online rental marketplace has just take things to new heights – quite literally.
Fresh from the success of offering overnight stays in a replica of Shrek's swamp in Scotland, the real-life Home Alone house and Barbie's pinktastic Californian beach house last year, Airbnb has unveiled a new range of curated properties and experiences that promise a night you’ll never forget.
Paying tribute to the worlds of entertainment, sport and culture, the collection of 11 new 'Icons' include a night in the Ferrari Museum in Italy and a 2D recreation of the X-Men mansion in New York that feels just like stepping into a comic, with more in the pipeline.
'The ultimate Airbnb? Buckingham Palace would be really fun!' smiles co-founder and CEO, Brian Chesky, during an exclusive chat with House Beautiful in Los Angeles. 'You always see people standing outside but very few ever get to go inside, and I bet the hospitality is very good.'
Persuading King Charles and Camilla to sign up as hosts might be a leap too far, even for a man who has grown the company from offering three inflatable mattresses in his San Francisco apartment, to having billions of bookings and rentals in nearly every country in the world. But only a fool would bet against Brian.
'When we started Airbnb in 2007 we had no idea that 16 years later we would have a house floating in the sky,' he says.
The floating house in question is the one made famous as the residence of Carl Fredricksen in the Disney and Pixar movie, Up. A firm favourite with kids big and small since its release in 2009, it tells the heart-rendering story of an elderly widower with a grumpy disposition and a lifelong dream to visit South America, who attempts to achieve it by tying balloons to his house and flying there.
The house, custom-built to be an exact match all the way down to Carl’s chairlift on the stairs, is arguably the star of the show of the first wave of Airbnb’s new offerings.
'This is one of my favourite movies,' continues Brian. 'The first 10 minutes is maybe one of the best 10 minutes of any film ever. It's so poignant and [at the centre of it is this] famous home.'
Located in Abiquiu, deep in the wilds of New Mexico, and guaranteed to put a smile on the face of even the grumpiest person, the house accommodates four guests between Carl’s bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room and includes his chairlift on the stairs and, most excitingly, 8,000 multicoloured balloons attached to its chimney. And, yes, it even floats.
'I decided that if we couldn’t get the house into the sky then we shouldn’t do it all,' adds the Airbnb boss.
Using balloons to shift the 18,000kg pad was obviously a step too far so a special crane was drafted in to achieve the spectacle. 'You barely notice the attachment and the house still rocks and moves but in a way that's safe,' says Brian.
More magic-making than money-making, staying the night in the Up house doesn’t cost a penny. In fact, it’s the same for most of the new portfolio (with the exception of the X-Men mansion, which costs just £75 per night). That’s the good news. The bad? Bookable nights range from just the one to 20 depending on the listing, meaning only around 4,000 people will be the lucky ones (this year, at least).
Those wishing to enjoy a bowl of Bran Flakes (Carl’s favourite) in his armchair, browse Musée d’Orsay's priceless treasures in the middle of the night, or hang out with Kevin Hart will have to 'request to book', essentially entering a ballot, with the lucky ones chosen on the basis of their submitted reasons.
'We know that only a few people can experience these things today, but our goal is to bring this magic to everyone eventually,' says Brian.
'I would say an icon is a brand or person that transcends their category. There's a bunch of car companies, but there's only one Ferrari, right? Each Airbnb Icon offers a bit of optimism and represents a world we want to enter, and if we can make a house float in the air, we can do anything.' As for Buckingham Palace? Watch this space...
The best of the new Airbnb Icons
Fast and furious
Revered by any car fan, the northern Italian town of Maranello has been home to Ferrari since it first revved an engine back in 1940 and now petrolheads have the chance to bed down inside its fabled museum. The bedding is a match of the car’s luxurious interior, while the bed itself is made from the same leather as Ferrari car seats and is encircled by eight real-life Ferrari Formula One racing cars.
French fancy
As one of the world’s leading cultural institutions, the riverside Musée d’Orsay is a true Parisian landmark. Once a busy train station in the 1800s and now filled with masterpieces by the likes of Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne, its iconic clock tower will be transformed into a bedroom like no other just in time for this summer’s Olympics. The chic bedroom offers panoramic city views from behind the clock face and the stay coincides with the opening ceremony set along the Seine, meaning the lucky guest gets a front row seat.
Bollywood beauty
One of the biggest stars in Bollywood, Janhvi Kapoor’s beachfront home in Chennai has never been seen by the public – until now. Even without the A-list connection, this listing is a tempting proposition for any lover of fine spaces and interior design. Chic and contemporary, the four-acre property is one of neutral tones and natural materials (think bamboo panelling and wicker light fixtures), with art by local artists adorning the light grey walls.
Purple haze
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Purple Rain, the legendary film starring Prince who passed away in 2016, leaving fans shocked all over the world. His legacy lives on, however, and in ways you might not have considered. Now, for the first time, fans can step inside the house that featured in the famous film. Hosted by Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, Prince’s former Revolution bandmates, the house in Minneapolis includes a basement bedroom that’s an exact match for the one in the movie and marks the first time the house has been accessible to the public.
Heart to Hart
'Kevin Hart is one of the biggest names in comedy and usually performs in stadiums and arenas but now he’s performing to his smallest audience yet – just 30 people in a pop-up speakeasy comedy club that’s been created especially,' explains Brian. After a tequila tasting with the Jumanji star, Kevin will perform a set alongside some other impressive names. 'I’m cooking up a night with the best tequila and the best comedians in my contact list for you. I’d name drop, but I’m too classy for that,' laughs Kevin.
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