In a world where escapism often feels like the ultimate luxury, Airbnb’s latest venture promises to elevate this experience to unprecedented levels. With the introduction of “Icons” on 1 May, the platform is offering a collection of “extraordinary” escapades that turn dreams into reality.
“Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination – until now”, said Brian Chesky, Airbnb co-founder and CEO. “As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world. With Icons, we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth.”
Icons are extraordinary experiences from the greatest names in music, film, sports, and more pic.twitter.com/6mKEu8HzQj
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) May 1, 2024
Among the 11 experiences is the chance to spend a night in the iconic house from Disney’s beloved animated film “Up”, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Suspended by a crane and floating high above Abiquiu, New Mexico, this gravity-defying stay, complete with 8,000 balloons, offers guests the opportunity to live in the magic of the movie, with the property even listed by the fictional star, Carl Fredricksen himself.
For fans of Pixar’s “Inside Out”, Headquarters, the nerve centre of Riley’s emotions, will debut its exclusive and mysterious “dreamatorium” in June 2024. This stay will allow guests to observe and influence emotions. Drawing from the Marvel universe, the X-Mansion in Westchester, New York, invites visitors to train like their beloved superheroes and uncover their mutant powers.
Music enthusiasts can explore Prince’s Purple Rain House in Minnesota from August 2024, previously off-limits to the public. They can also spend a week with Colombian singer Feid on the “FERXXOCALIPSIS” world tour, with special access to rehearsals and backstage. From October, guests can share an intimate experience with American rapper Doja Cat interpreting songs from her latest album, “in an intimate living room environment”.
Starting also in August, Kevin Hart’s exclusive club experience offers tequila tasting and live stand-up comedy for those seeking live entertainment. Meanwhile, requests are already open to share a gaming session with the Generation-Z and TikTok star Khaby Lame in his Fortnite loft based in Milan.
Travellers seeking luxury can wake up in the Musée d’Orsay, where the iconic clock room is transformed into a lavish bedroom overlooking the River Seine. The Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy, offers a night on a bed crafted from leather similar to that used in Ferrari car seats, including a tour with Marc Gené, ambassador driver of the Scuderia Ferrari, and a VIP experience during a race. For those heading to Chennai in India, Bollywood star Janhvi Kapoor makes her summer retreat mansion available for an unforgettable stay.
Affordability remains key, with most Icons experiences being free and the rest priced under $100 (€93 euros) per person. Participants can apply, and if selected, will receive a digital golden ticket, granting them access to one of over 4,000 available slots throughout 2024.
