Airbnb just made opting for a homestay on your next trip a lot more appealing. With the launch of its new Services offering, the brand has made it much easier for guests to combine the privacy of an Airbnb stay with the amenities of a hotel—without even needing to don their slippers to head to the on-site spa.
While we’ve long been fans of the brand’s “live like a local” ethos, checking in inevitably meant taking a more DIY approach to your travels than when booking a hotel room. You get the unadulterated privacy of your own space, absolutely—but traded off against the fact that you’re cooking your own breakfast and forgoing your morning gym session.
Until now, that is. Starting on May 14, Airbnb launched 10 bookable service categories in 260 cities across the world, to be enjoyed from the comfort of your Airbnb. Offerings range from the aesthetic (hair, nails, spa treatments, and massages), to fitness (yoga, strength training, HIIT, and personal training with celebrity trainers) to culinary (chef-prepared dinners and catering services), with prices starting from around $50.
It means that those planning a bachelorette weekend in an Airbnb can hire a hairdresser, nail technician, and makeup artist to get the group ready for a big evening out—all on the Airbnb platform. In the morning, the whole gang can take a private pilates session on the terrace, before a local chef pops by to prepare a celebratory dinner in the kitchen. No spa? No problem. A masseuse and facialist will come to you instead.
Each host has been vetted through an evaluation of expertise and reputation, has an average of 10 years’ experience, completed an identity verification process, and submitted relevant licenses and certifications. Many categories come lauded with a gamut of options, including chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants, award-winning photographers, and celebrity fitness trainers.
