There’s no denying that in its 15 years of existence, Airbnb has forever upended the travel industry — and how we approach finding a place to stay. While the booking platform has made finding accommodation easier and more affordable, some of the guest experience has become more cookie-cutter compared to its early days, which was more like being a paid house guest in someone’s actual home. Many of the Airbnbs you encounter today are operated by a management company with seamless check-in systems and automated messaging. You’re very likely to spend the whole vacation without ever meeting the host.
Now, the online travel giant has decided to go back to its roots by rolling out Airbnb Rooms, a filter that allows you to quickly locate properties where the hosts also live on-site. Here’s why this is great news: staying in a room within a shared space is often a lot more affordable than hotels, which bodes well for solo travelers and couples. The add-on fees are considerably lower than full-property Airbnb rentals.
You will be staying with someone who knows the destination well, and is, in most cases, very friendly since they have signed up to hosting responsibilities in the first place. (If you are concerned about comfort, checking out the reviews can also give you an idea of past guests’ interactions with the hosts.) The locations of these occupied residences are also more likely to be in up-and-coming hotspots that will actually give you an authentic travel experience. Have we mentioned the possibility of meeting the owners’ cute pets while you’re exploring the world?
To help you make full use of this new feature, we have rounded up the most wanderlust-inspiring rooms in Airbnbs around the world. From waterfront houses to sleek city-center apartments, here’s to making travel memories you’ll never forget.
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Carroll Gardens Flat
Location: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Price Per Night: $100
Ask us to come up with a quintessential Brooklyn neighborhood, and Carroll Gardens will probably be the first answer that comes to mind. The safe and leafy area is right by the waterfront, with tons of cute restaurants, shops, and cafés to explore. Staying in the spare bedroom hosted by a New York-raised teacher (and her fluffy cat), you will be able to make the most of it all. The fact that rates only starts at $100 a night is practically unheard of for NYC.
Wiseacre Lake Estate
Location: Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Price Per Night: $267
This sprawling estate near Lake Whitehurst is a real Virginia Beach gem. The Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture and oodles of colorful, mid-century modern furniture are enough to make interior design fans squeal, but the house is also a great spot for relaxation. There’s a hot tub, huge porch, and three acres of grounds to drink in the sunset. The rooms are fitted with wood-paneled walls and zany movie memorabilia. The real kicker is the $19 cleaning fee — a steal compared to most Airbnbs of this size.
Room In Charonne
Location: Paris, France
Price Per Night: $134
If you want to live like a true Parisian, book yourself into this airy apartment located in Charonne, a romantic neighborhood in the 11th arrondissement known for its village-y vibe. You will be sharing with a friendly host (who has only received absolutely glowing reviews from past guests) and his two adopted doggies. There’s a balcony outside your bedroom window to catch some authentic Parisian sights.
Parks-Bowman Mansion Library
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Price Per Night: $188
This eclectic library room, located in a historic mansion in the Garden District, is as close to an authentic NOLA experience as you will get. Books and antique curios are everywhere, and you’re more than welcome to ask the host about the history behind them. The house is owned by a novelist and filmmaker couple (who live here with two dogs and two cats), and they are more than happy to regale you with fascinating tales of the nearby Lafayette Cemetery.
Pigneto Room
Location: Rome, Italy
Price Per Night: $55
It might be cheesy to use a “La Dolce Vita” reference to talk about an Airbnb in Rome, but that is exactly what you’ll get staying in this lovely private room with a balcony. The apartment is located in Pigneto, the beating heart of the Eternal City’s heart and literary scene. The chance to engage in la passeggiata — a time-honored Italian tradition of a post-dinner stroll — in one of Rome’s hippest neighborhoods is pretty much priceless, so the $55 per night price tag is unreal.
East Nashville Modern Home
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Price Per Night: $64
This sun-drenched Nashville home has all the hallmarks of the perfect base to explore a new city from: the unbeatable location in the city’s trendiest spot, a spacious and comfortable bedroom, a nice big porch and back garden to unwind after a long day of sightseeing, and a friendly and curious host in the form of Sydney, the resident dog.
Mid-Century Modern House
Location: North Haven, Connecticut, United States
Price Per Night: $89
This gorgeously designed abode is a must-visit if you are interested in the architectural history of the East Coast. The hosts are a charming couple working in the design business, who will be able to give you a grand tour of all the unique quirks of the house, including a white-graveled zen garden and a disco ball hanging above the kitchen. The short distance from New Haven and Yale University is a bonus, too.
Clook Room
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Price Per Night: $109
To experience a slice of warmth and hospitality the Portuguese are known for, look no further than this chintzy Airbnb in Lisbon. The hosts, a mother-son duo, have been praised by every single reviewer for their willingness to help and knowledge of insider-y points of interests only locals will know about. It’s super close to the airport, but thankfully you won’t hear any of the noise since it’s situated outside of the flight path.
Art-Chic Central Retreat
Location: Emeryville, California, United States
Price Per Night: $72
Do you love indoor plants, cute dogs, and a great bargain? This Bay Area bedroom is right up your street. You can easily get to the BART and Amtrak stations, so San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland are all within easy reach. The room is pretty small, sure, but it will win you over with its homey, treehouse-like vibe. Just look at the pretty vines climbing all over the walls.
La Juarez Penthouse
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
Price Per Night: $45
You can live the penthouse life without having to pay steep prices by staying in this modern apartment in La Juarez, a district in Mexico City that has been getting lots of positive buzz from travel publications. You will be sharing the pad with a cool artist, who welcomes you to have a drink at the roof terrace at sunset.
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