Airbnb is taking travel to another level this year with the launch of Icons, a new category offering extraordinary experiences hosted by the biggest names across various industries.
Icons, as described by Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky, are about stepping into worlds previously confined to our imaginations.
“As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world,” said Chesky during the unveiling. The new category kicks off with eleven unique Icons — or experiences — ranging from drifting off in the floating Up house to spending a night at the Ferrari Museum.
#1 Drift off in the Up House
Airbnb took it upon themselves to bring one of Disney and Pixar’s most iconic homes to life in the scenic red rocks of Abiquiu, New Mexico.
Hosted by Carl Fredricksen himself (with his Airbnb host profile listing him as a “retired balloon salesman”) the UP house offers an unforgettable stay, seemingly elevated by over 8,000 balloons.
This detailed re-creation of Carl’s iconic floating home allows guests to literally drift off in a piece of cinematic history. Carl himself asks UP fans to “Join me as I give the old balloon house another whirl, and I’ll help you add to your own book of travel memories and list of shenanigans.”
#2 Spend the night at the Ferrari Museum
Car enthusiasts can now sleep where they once could only visit.
Located in Maranello, Italy, the Ferrari Museum offers a lavish nightly stay in a bed made from the same leather as Ferrari seats and includes a lap with Scuderia Ferrari ambassador driver Marc Gené.
This overnight stay includes a room in the Sala delle Vittorie, where you’re surrounded by Ferrari’s historical trophies and the very cars that won them. But the experience also extends beyond the museum walls to the iconic Pista di Fiorano, where you’ll join Marc for a thrilling lap, to feel the speed and power of a Ferrari firsthand.
This VIP package also includes dinner at Cavallino, where Ferrari’s founder once watched races, and a private museum tour showcasing Ferrari’s evolution from classic racers to modern supercars.
#3 Live like the X-Men
Marvel fans without mutant powers can finally join Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngers!
They can book a stay in a 2D animated re-creation of the X-Mansion in Westchester, New York. Discover your mutant abilities and train in the Danger Room, play around in Beast’s gnarly lab, or head to the War Room to try on Cerebro and find out your own mutant superpower.
Mutant Jubilee will host the immersive comic book experience and will hand off an official diploma and class photo to visitors/future graduates.
#4 A VIP evening with Kevin Hart
Experience a night of laughter and luxury in Kevin Hart’s members-only Coramino Live Lounge pop-up. Enjoy tequila tasting — more specifically Gran Coramino, the actor/comedian’s own tequila brand — and live stand-up performances in this exclusive speakeasy.
The location has not been unveiled, nor has Hart disclosed the names of the other stand-up performers, but it’s bound to be quite the experience.
#5 Wake up in the Musée d’Orsay
Stay in the clock room of Paris’s famous art museum, transformed into a luxurious bedroom by designer Mathieu Lehanneur.
Formerly a railway station in the heart of Paris 125 years ago, the Musée d’Orsay is now one of the finest museums in the world, boasting the largest collection of Impressionist paintings — which visitors will get private access to tour. All the original architectural features have been preserved, including the iconic and monumental clock visible from inside and out.
Guests will also have a prime view of the historic Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games along the River Seine.
#6 Doja Cat’s living room session
Join Grammy-winning artist Doja Cat for an intimate living room performance, featuring her favorite songs and tracks from her latest album.
Fresh off the heels of a memorable Coachella performance — hailed as “a superhuman feat of live choreography” — Doja promises a show for the ages. But the location has not been revealed.
Last we heard Doja Cat was living in a $2.2 million Beverly Hills Post Office home, but she has since sold the property, so we have no clue where the living room session will take place.
#7 Stay in Prince’s Purple Rain house
Obsessed as we are with celebrity homes, we can’t help but swoon over the opportunity to book a stay at the Minneapolis home featured in Purple Rain — previously owned by Prince and now open to the public.
Enjoy an exclusive studio session with rare tracks from Prince’s collection, an intimate tour of the iconic house, and make sure to dust off your favorite purple outfits to match the vibe.
#8 Game Night with Khaby Lame
Stay overnight in a gaming loft designed by TikTok sensation Khaby Lame in Milan, Italy, and challenge him to a game of Fortnite Battle Royale.
Host Khaby Lame boasts that the newly set-up loft comes with “a legit gaming set-up — like a big comfy white couch, two massive screens, kitted out Xbox Series X and Series S”. And in between those intense gaming sessions, the TikTok star will also help you “fine-tune some silent TikTok skills. #learnfromkhaby”.
#9 On tour with Feid
Join reggaeton superstar Feid on his FERXXOCALIPSIS World Tour for a week, with full backstage access and a firsthand look at tour life.
You’ll get to “move in true FERXXO style in a tour bus I helped design — in signature neon green, of course, because the colour of Medellín’s mountains is never far from my mind,” Feid shares.
Fans can join the tour — which kicks off in Philadelphia — on select weeks from June 6 to July 6, and will get the decked-out tour bus all to themselves, while enjoying front-row seats and VIP access to performances at each stop.
#10 Get the Bollywood experience with Janhvi Kapoor
Stay in the stunning Kapoor family home in Chennai, India, with Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor.
Learn her beauty secrets, taste her favorite Southern Indian dishes, and get a front-row seat to her family home, a carefully guarded secret — up until now.
In her own words, “This home in Chennai holds a special place in my heart as I spent many of my childhood summers here with my dear family. Up until now, it’s been sort of our little coastal secret. You see, the estate has never even been in pictures, so if you come you’ll be one of the first guests to not only look upon it but also stay here.”
#11 The Inside Out 2 adventure
In anticipation of Disney and Pixar’s Inside Out 2, stay overnight at Team Riley Headquarters, the central hub of Riley’s emotions, and dive into the animated world of one of Pixar’s most captivating animations.
Hosted by Joy herself, the experience promises “the most EPIC time EVER”, right in time for the June 14 release of Inside Out 2.
Remebering past icons
While it may be the first time Airbnb called them “icons”, the short-term rental platform has long been dabbling in unique travel experiences — tied to either popular movies or TV shows, or hosted by famous celebs.
From a short stay at the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air house (hosted by the prince himself, Will Smith) to a free stay at Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse, or a memorable holiday experience inside the McCallister house from Home Alone, Airbnb has hosted over 90 unique stays in the past five years.
Booking your iconic stay
Booking has begun for some of these incredible experiences, with prices varying based on the exclusivity and features of the stay. For details on availability and pricing, visit Airbnb’s official website.
Keep reading
The ‘Father of the Bride’ house is real (and worth a pretty penny)
The real-life Brady Bunch House: Then & Now
The coolest LEGO houses from your favorite movies & TV shows
