Airbnb 2023 Winter Release introduced Guest Favorites, a collection of the 2 million most-loved homes on Airbnb

 

Airbnb has more than 7 million homes all over the world. Each home is one-of-a-kind, and this uniqueness is what sets Airbnb apart. But guests have told us that with so much variety, it can be hard to know what they’re going to get. This is why many people prefer hotels, and it’s the #1 obstacle preventing them from booking on Airbnb.

 

Today, we’re introducing three major upgrades to help guests understand exactly what to expect before they book:

 

●      Guest Favorites – A collection of the 2 million most-loved homes on Airbnb based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

●      Revamped ratings & reviews – A redesigned ratings page, with new features to help guests understand the quality of every home.

●      Listings tab – A set of new tools for Hosts to manage their listing and showcase the details guests care about most.

 

 

 

“People often describe checking into an Airbnb as a  ‘moment of truth’— when you find out if the home you booked meets your expectations,” said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO. “Too often, it doesn’t. We’re changing that today. With Guest Favorites, revamped reviews, and the new Listings tab, you’ll now know exactly what to expect every time you book.” 

 

Introducing Guest Favorites

The best way to find a great place to stay is by knowing which homes guests love the most. That’s why we created Guest Favorites—a collection of the 2 million most-loved homes on Airbnb based on ratings, reviews, and reliability data from over half a billion trips. 

 

●      Great ratings and reviews — Guest Favorites have excellent reviews and are rated above 4.9 stars on average. These homes also receive high marks for ease of check-in, cleanliness, listing accuracy, Host communication, location, and value.

●      Outstanding reliability – Guest Favorites have a superb record of reliability, with Host cancellations and quality-related customer service issues of 1% on average.

●      Easy to discover on Airbnb – Guest Favorites are available around the world, and they’re simple to find on Airbnb. Just look for the new badge in search results and on the listing page, or filter for Guest Favorites.

 

Nearly two-thirds of Guest Favorites come from Superhosts, who’ve been recognized for their track record of outstanding hospitality.

 

Revamped ratings and reviews

Guests have left over 371 million reviews about their stays on Airbnb. These ratings and reviews are the best way to understand the quality of a home. But today, there is limited information on the ratings page, and it’s hard for guests to find reviews that are relevant to them. The redesigned ratings page includes three new features that make reviews easier to read and much more helpful.

 

●      Review sorting – Guests can now sort reviews by recency or rating, making it easy to find the reviews they care about the most.

●      Ratings distribution – A new chart shows the distribution of reviews from 1 to 5 stars, so guests can easily view the number of positive and negative reviews.

●      More review details – Reviews include more information about the reviewer and their trip — including where they’re from, their length of their stay, and whether they traveled with family, pets, or in a group.

 

Introducing the Listings tab

Managing a listing is one of the most essential parts of hosting because it's how guests learn about a home. In fact, we've seen that listings with more details can get up to 20% more bookings. But many listings are missing the details guests care about because adding them has been too difficult. That’s why we’re introducing the Listings tab—a set of new tools for Hosts to easily manage their listing and showcase the details of their home.

 

●      Listing editor – A redesigned interface makes it easy for Hosts to add details about their listing—including amenities, sleeping arrangements, and more. It’s also simple for Hosts to edit their arrival guide with the information guests need before check-in.

●      AI-powered photo tour – Hosts can instantly create a photo tour, which organizes photos by rooms to help guests understand the layout of their home. The photo tour is powered by an Airbnb AI engine that recognizes photos and assigns them to 19 rooms. Hosts can edit their photo tour at any time and add amenities to each room.

●      Smart lock integration – Hosts can connect compatible smart locks to their Airbnb account and automatically generate a unique code for every reservation. Guests can view their entry codes right in the Airbnb app before they arrive. Smart lock integration will begin rolling out in the US and Canada later this year with support for certain locks from Schlage, August, and Yale.

 

Even more upgrades for Hosts

In addition to the new Listings tab, the 2023 Winter Release includes even more upgrades for Hosts.

 

●      Pricing visibility – The prices Hosts set will now include service fees, helping them better understand what guests pay. 

●      Compare prices – Hosts will have the ability to compare their prices to those of similar listings right in the calendar, making it easy to track local pricing trends.

●      New earnings dashboard – A completely redesigned dashboard gives Hosts a clear view of their earnings, including a detailed breakdown of past and future payments, customizable reports, filters, and search.

●      New options for Co–Host payouts – Hosts have two new options for sharing payouts with Co-Hosts: share the cleaning fee or share the cleaning fee plus a percentage of the booking amount.

●      New Co-Host messaging – Hosts and their Co-Hosts can now communicate in the app with new Inbox features to help them discuss and coordinate upcoming reservations.

 

Worldwide rollout starting today

Guest Favorites, revamped ratings and reviews, the new Listings tab, and additional upgrades for Hosts will begin rolling out this week. Hosts can try new features today by enrolling in Airbnb Early Access. Smart lock integration will be coming to Early Access for listings in the US and Canada later this year. Pricing visibility and compare prices will be available next year.

Experience a Historic Stay at the Home of the Founder of the Modern Olympics, Now on Airbnb

With almost a year until Paris 2024, the childhood home of Baron Pierre de Coubertin has been transformed to take guests on a journey through time. For one night only guests will get the opportunity to immerse themselves in Olympic history in Château de Mirville, an iconic stop on the Olympic torch relay in 2024.

 

Built in the 16th century, Château de Mirville is where the young Coubertin developed a love of sports that would eventually inspire him to revive and evolve the ancient Olympic Games into the modern Games as we know them today. And on July 18, one night in the historic home - recently restored to its original grandeur with the support of the IOC and Airbnb’s Heritage and Local Tourism program - will be opened to a unique stay on Airbnb for €24* in honor of Paris 2024.

 

Jacques de Navacelle, Coubertin’s great grand-nephew, will host the stay and share tales of how the château inspired his illustrious forebear.

 

“Château de Mirville is considered by many as the birthplace of the modern Olympics Games. It is in this home that the seeds of a global sporting revolution were sown. It gives me great pleasure to welcome guests in our family home to celebrate the one year countdown to Paris 2024” - ​Jacques de Navacelle, Host and great grand nephew of Pierre de Coubertin.

 

Emmanuel Marill, Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Airbnb, adds: “As proud worldwide Paris 2024 partner and now Official Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay in France, we are honored to offer a truly unique experience in the historic Château de Mirville. Airbnb is dedicated to showcasing the rich diversity of France’s regions and the rich Olympic legacy of this special home will make for an inspiring stay.”

 

Tony Estanguet, President of Paris 2024: “What a joy it will be to have the opportunity to sleep in the mythical Château de Mirville, embarking on a genuine voyage through time in search of the origins of the modern Olympic Games ! In Paris 2024, we are hosting the Games in a new era, but we also care deeply about traditions and history where we come from. Well done Airbnb, and good luck to those who will try to live the experience!” 

 

About the stay

Château de Mirville is nestled deep in the Pays de Caux valley in Normandy, France. In the heart of the château, Coubertin’s private study has been transformed into a remarkable sporting suite that pays homage to the building’s legacy in the modern Olympic Games history. Guests who secure a booking will take a journey through time and Olympic greatness. Prepare to enjoy:

●      The opportunity to play with n°1 French professional tennis player Caroline Garcia on the grounds where one of the first games of lawn tennis was supposedly played in France.

●      A private tour of the entire estate by your Host, Coubertin’s great grand nephew, Jacques.

●      A punt on the lake where Coubertin developed his love of rowing, followed by a picnic of French delicacies on a specially constructed floating pontoon.

●      An immersion into the origins of the Olympics including exclusive access to historic memorabilia such as Coubertin's 1892 Olympic Manifesto, a personal document featuring the rings for the first time as originally sketched by Coubertin and an original ticket from France's first Games in 1900^[1].

●      A selection of items from the very latest IOC Olympic Collection named in honor of Pierre de Coubertin^[2].

 

How to book

Guests may request to book this overnight stay on July 18, 2023 from 6:00 PM CET at airbnb.com/coubertin. The unique overnight stay will take place on July 26, 2023 and cost 24 euros*, in honor of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.

 

Maximum occupancy is two persons. Guests are responsible for their own transportation to and from Château de Mirville, France.

 

Airbnb, official partner of Paris 2024 Torch Relay

Through this unique partnership, Airbnb Hosts will participate in the Torch Relay and act as local cultural ambassadors for the towns and villages they call home, celebrating the arrival of the Olympic Flame throughout its journey across the country. 

 

More than half a million^[3] visitors are expected in France on Airbnb during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, trips that are expected to generate more than €1 billion for the French economy and nearly €86 million in gross income for Hosts in less populated communities according to a recent Deloitte study.

 

With a community of Hosts representing more than 23,000 cities all across France, a third of whom are in the least populated cities^[4], Airbnb is dedicated to showcasing the rich diversity of France’s regions and spreading the long-term benefits of the Games throughout the country.

 

*Plus taxes and fees. This one night stay is not a contest.

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^[1] Guests will have access to official facsimiles of the aforementioned documents

^[2] The Pierre de Coubertin collection, launched in summer 2023, celebrates the founder of the modern Olympic Games and the rich heritage of the Olympic movement.

^[3] Estimated Number of guest arrivals on Airbnb in France between July 29 and August 14, 2024 and between August 31 and September 12, 2024. Source Deloitte study

^[4] Source Airbnb internal figures shared in the Deloitte study

Ken Takes the Spotlight: Barbie's Malibu DreamHouse Returns on Airbnb

 

While everyone’s favorite doll makes her live-action film debut in BARBIE, Ken (played by Ryan Gosling) is handing over the keys and hosting an overnight stay in the newly renovated and iconic Malibu DreamHouse.

Barbie is everything, and he’s always been “Just Ken” - until now! Ken has revamped part of Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse with everything he loves (rollerblading, anyone?). And though guests can clearly see his, ahem, Ken-ergy, Barbie’s signature pink remains ever-present throughout the life-size, toy-inspired home, as she’s done her own redecorating since the last time the Malibu DreamHouse was available for guests.

“We all have dreams, and Barbie is lucky enough to have a house full of them,” said Ken. “But now, it’s my turn, and I can’t wait to host guests inside these one-of-a-kind – dare I say, one-of-a-Ken? – digs.”

 

Ken is adding hosting to one of his passions in celebration of the release of the highly anticipated BARBIE film, directed by Greta Gerwig, written by Gerwig & Noah Baumbach, and starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrara, Kate McKinnnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, and Will Ferrell. 

 

About the stay

Located in sunny Malibu, the oceanfront mansion features panoramic views and serves as the perfect backdrop for Ken’s picture-plastic paradise. Fans will be able to request to book Ken’s bedroom in the Malibu DreamHouse for two individual one-night stays** for up to two guests each on July 21 and July 22, 2023. All stays will be free of charge – because Ken couldn’t figure out how to put a price on Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse – after all, Ken’s thing is beach, not math!

 

While in the DreamHouse, guests will have the opportunity to live in technicolor by:

●          Taking a spin through Ken’s awesome wardrobe to find their best beach fit. Look out Barbie, Ken’s got quite the closet too!

●          Channeling their inner cowboy and learning a line dance or two on Ken’s outdoor disco dance floor or performing a sunset serenade on Ken’s guitar

●          Challenging their fellow guests to a “beach off” with plenty of sunbathing and chillaxing by the infinity pool

●          Taking home a piece of the Kendom with their very own set of yellow-and-pink Impala rollerblades and surfboards

How to book

Everyone in Barbie Land can request to book Ken’s room in Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse beginning July 17 at 10 a.m. PT at airbnb.com/kendreamhouse. Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Malibu.

 

Interested in becoming an Airbnb Room Host like Ken? To learn more about how you can earn on Airbnb, visit airbnb.com/host. 

 

In celebration of BARBIE hitting theaters on July 21, and to honor girls’ empowerment, Airbnb will make a one-time donation to Save the Children. Save the Children provides learning resources and support to children, families, and communities in 100+ countries to build girls’ confidence and help them excel in school – ensuring everyone has equal opportunity to achieve success.

*Plus taxes and fees

**These two, one-night stays for up to two guests are not a contest. The home is independently owned and operated. The right holders for Barbie and the Ken character have been compensated for their participation.

 

Airbnb is offering guests the opportunity to experience this World Heritage Site – with an overnight stay in one of its historic homes

Situated on the shores of the Sho River and surrounded by high, rugged mountains, the nine-home village of Suganuma is one of the most beautiful and charming places in Japan. It is also one of the country’s best kept secrets. 

 

This summer, Airbnb is offering guests the opportunity to experience this World Heritage Site in a way no one else has in over 20 years – with an overnight stay in one of its historic homes. 

 

With great support from Nanto City and the Nakashima family – fifth generation locals – are listing their centuries-old, thatched-roof house on the platform, Airbnb will enable guests to explore Suganuma village in an incredibly authentic way. 

Following three years of travel restrictions, lockdowns and isolation, locals and travelers alike are seeking connection with the world around them. In a recent survey^[1], over 60 percent of respondents said they felt traveling on Airbnb provided a closer connection to the local culture than staying in a hotel or resort. Often regarded as a “hidden village” because it is without tourist accommodations (and typically, only residents are permitted to enter after dusk), Suganuma is a cultural time capsule. This unique Airbnb stay offers guests the opportunity to experience the village in a way that upholds its traditions and preserves its heritage for generations to come.  

The village’s Gassho-zukuri style farmhouses, like the Nakashimas’ family home, are particular to the region, with their pitched, thatched roof structures enabling these homes to withstand heavy winter snowfall and the test of time. The thatching technique is a local tradition that requires a great deal of time and effort, so locals work together based on the system of yui, the spirit of mutual support, in which Suganuma and its preservation are rooted.

 

“We are honored to offer a truly unique experience in Suganuma village, a World Heritage Site, through our collaboration with Airbnb. The rich history and vibrant culture of this charming small town, coupled with the warm hearts of the people who live there, will make for a fascinating and restorative stay. We hope this campaign brings attention to this beautiful destination for both Japanese residents and guests from around the world,” stated Mr. Mikio Tanaka, Mayor of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture.

 

“I am delighted to open my family’s home for a unique stay that will enable guests to enjoy the traditional life of our beautiful village of Suganuma. Through our collaboration with Airbnb, my family and I look forward to providing guests with unique experiences that have been part of our village for centuries,” commented Mr. Shinichi Nakashima, Airbnb Host. 

About the stay

A beautiful example of living in harmony with nature, Suganuma is a feast for both the eyes and the soul. The Nakashima family are proud to invite one group of two guests* to see their peaceful valley for themselves for a two-night stay from July 17 - 19, 2023 for $0** – a nod to the priceless nature of the experience.

During their stay, guests will:

●      Enjoy a traditional welcome tea and local dishes prepared by Mr. Nakashima including Gokayama tofu, mountain vegetables and freshly-caught river fish.

●      Learn about local traditions that have been sustained for centuries, such as the making of washi, a paper made of local fiber, and the creation of sasara, a traditional instrument featured in one of the region’s oldest folk songs.

●      Enjoy a magical evening light show and folk song experience, where locals illuminate their traditional homes and local song and dance is showcased.

●      Participate in a hands-on workshop crafting thatched roofs emblematic of local Gassho-zukuri building techniques. 

●      Explore the sanctity of the village’s lush surroundings with a relaxing guided bike ride.

 

To facilitate disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature while on site, guests will receive a “Disconnect to Connect” kit that includes a  stationary set made of traditional washi paper, an instant camera and local aromatherapy kit.  

How to book

Those interested in exploring one of Japan’s hidden gems like a local can request to book this stay beginning Friday, June 30 at 9 a.m JST (Thursday, June 29 at 8 p.m. ET) at airbnb.com/gassho. 

 

Guests are responsible for their own travel to and from Suganuma village, and should note that this stay’s rules require following applicable local rules and guidelines as well as Airbnb’s COVID-19 Safety Practices, which will include wearing a mask and practicing social distancing when required by local laws or guidelines. On-site staff will also comply with local rules and guidelines while on-site, and will abide by our five-step enhanced cleaning process. 

 

Interested in becoming an Airbnb Host? Learn more at airbnb.com/host. 

 

*This two-night stay is available for one participant and their fellow guest and is not a contest.

**Inclusive of taxes and fees

 

Airbnb is closely monitoring Japanese COVID-19 infection rates and government policies. Airbnb will determine if it is necessary to cancel the stay.

 

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^[1] Airbnb users surveyed between December 2022 and March 2023. From over 19,000 respondents.