Airbnb is taking themed accommodations to the next level with its new Icons category, featuring a collection of stays that offer an immersive experience centered around music, film, television, art, sports and more.
The Icons category will debut with 11 offerings. These include two experiences that pay tribute to the Pixar films "Up" and the soon-to-be-released "Inside Out 2"; a racing-inspired stay at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy; a re-creation of Marvel Animation's X-Mansion in Westchester County, New York; a stay in the Minneapolis home once owned by Prince and featured in the film "Purple Rain"; and a Paris overnight in the Musée d'Orsay's clock room.
Other inaugural Icon experiences will give guests the opportunity to meet celebrity hosts in person, including a VIP speakeasy visit with comedian and actor Kevin Hart; an overnight hosted by Bollywood legend Janhvi Kapoor in Chennai, India; a living room performance from Grammy-winning artist Doja Cat; a Milan gaming loft experience hosted by TikTok sensation Khaby Lame; and a tour ride-along with reggaeton star Feid.
A stay in a house re-created from the movie "Up" is part of Airbnb's Icons collection. Photo Credit: Ryan Lowry
"We're creating worlds that guests thought only existed in their imagination, and now, they have the opportunity to experience them," said Jay Carney, global head of policy and communications at Airbnb.
The Icons category is featured on Airbnb's homepage, with a countdown tool displaying the time until each Icon experience goes live. Most Icon stays will be free, with others priced at less than $100 per guest.
Guests can request to book an Icon experience through the app, with guests who are selected granted a "digital golden ticket." In order to make a request, guests must have an Airbnb account with a verified identity, and some Icon experiences will require other additional security measures, such as a background check.
According to Airbnb, more than 4,000 Icons tickets will be released this year.
The interior of the Marvel-inspired X-Mansion in Westchester County, N.Y. Photo Credit: Holly Andres
"Icons are a way of really grabbing people's attention and getting them excited about just the idea that Airbnb is more than just a place to stay," said Carney. "We think that it will help solidify in people's minds that Airbnb is a place to go to find exciting experiences as well as places to stay."
While the Icons category represents a more permanent play for Airbnb, the company has dabbled in pop culture-inspired themed stays in the past, garnering media buzz for experiences like an overnight stay at the Hobbiton movie set in New Zealand in 2022 and a limited-time revival of its Barbie's Malibu DreamHouse last year.