The 5 craziest Airbnb in the world

11 years after its creation, the rental and booking platform for private homes has just launched Airbnb Luxe, a new experience in luxury and tailor-made travel. Result, among many improbable housing, these five sumptuous places (which one is not ready to be able to afford).

The 5 craziest Airbnb in the world

This is the story of two American roommates, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia. Fall 2007, the price of their rent will go up badly. A conference on industrial design is taking place in the corner in San Francisco. All hotels in the city are full. Bingo. They install three air mattresses in the living room of their apartment in Rausch Street and mount the site Airbedandbreakfast.com in stride. 1000 dollars collected. The two friends call another, Nathan Blecharczyk, to refine the design and ergonomics of the website. The National Convention of the Democratic Party of August 2008 takes place a few weeks later in Denver. Same story. More than 80,000 people are expected for the last night of the convention, but all 28,000 hotel rooms in the city are already booked. This time, Airbed & Breakfast receives 80 reservations (at the time already, about 800 people had registered as hosts). Of course, to grow you need money. Then, a few days after the event, they decide to sell boxes of cereals with the image of Obama and McCain (Obama O's and Cap'n McCain's). And that's $ 30,000 more. They are starting to attract the attention of Silicon Valley, big names are investing. In four years they will finally raise $ 120 million. Airbnb is born.

In 2009, the platform adds to its portfolio of rooms, apartments, houses and holiday homes. In August 2018, the start-up celebrated its 10th anniversary - now there are more than 6 million Airbnb homes (including more than 14,000 small houses, more than 4,000 castles and more than 2,400 tree houses) across the world, in more than 100,000 cities and more than 190 countries and regions. Eleven years later, the company has just launched its luxury branch, Airbnb Luxe. More than 2000 unique and spectacular dwellings; from French castles to historic villas in Tuscany, to the island of Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil in French Polynesia, which has its own time zone. Real destinations in themselves, handpicked worldwide, each meeting a strict evaluation on more than 300 criteria in terms of design and equipment - Airbnb Luxe relies on Luxury Retreats, expert on tailor-made travel . At the price of the night (rather large), when you book on the platform, you are put in touch with a dedicated "travel designer", at your disposal to prepare a tailor-made five-star stay. Its role, basically: facilitate the arrival (private transport from the airport), coordinate experiences and activities, organize services (childcare (s), private chef, massage at home, training session .. .).

Creators' response to the 60% increase in Airbnb bookings for homes worth at least $ 1,000 per night (2018) and the ever-growing value of the luxury travel market. "Today's luxury travelers are looking for more than just upscale housing, they want a real transformation and experiences that make them feel more connected to each other and to their destination," says Brian Chesky. as a reminder, the co-founder of Airbnb.) With Airbnb Luxe, we are applying the same approach we have used since the launch of Airbnb more than 11 years ago, creating local, authentic and magical journeys in incredible homes, to reinvent the way people think and experience luxury travel. " And among all these extraordinary accommodations rated five stars in all categories (they say so), the next five - a definitively exhaustive list, and purely personal.

1. Il Pelicano, Los Angeles

California, three bedrooms, inspired Mediterranean luxury. A vacation rental planted in a most decadent setting, a mixture of old pieces and modern architecture. Perched on the coast of Malibu, the accommodation enjoys clear access to the private beach - just follow the steps - and, therefore, a spectacular view of the ocean. And while the place seems totally isolated from the rest of the world (and ordinary people), in reality it is not far from some of the biggest attractions in the Los Angeles area, like the Villa Getty (museum dedicated to antique collections) and Topanga State Park, located in the Santa Monica Mountains.

2. Villa Martinique, Los Angeles

Still Los Angeles, yes. It can accommodate up to 16 guests - count eight rooms (king or queen size beds) and 13 bathrooms. For the rest, a majestic villa where cinema mixes bowling track and heated pool (and also, an indoor, under a large glass roof). Next door, The Grove, Los Angeles' iconic shopping center, sort of Disneyland shopping. Add to that the greenhouse and gardens for the green side.

3. Casa Pacifica, Costa Rica

A medieval-inspired salmon pink villa nestled against the tropical jungle in Las Catalinas, a car-free village with terraces and infinity pools. From the rooftop terrace, at the top of the stone tower, an unobstructed view of Playa Danta. And, below, a particularly quiet beach considered as one of the best spots in Costa Rica to stand-up paddle. 11 travelers, five rooms and as many bathrooms. Housekeeping included for the price.

4. Te Kahu, South Island, New Zealand

Avant-garde design and small architectural masterpiece made of wood. 50 hectares in total, on Lake Wanaka, on the South Island in New Zealand, in the Otago region. Altitude of 300 meters, and ski area 11 kilometers away (Treble Cone). Of course, under geometric ceilings, heated floors.

5. Fleming Villa, Jamaica

In honor of Ian Fleming, the British writer best known for having been the author of the series of spy novels James Bond. A bobo villa located along the iconic waterfront GoldenEye Resort. The pool has the color of the lagoon, there is a hammock hanging between the trees and an outdoor bathtub.

Marine Delcambre for GQ

---