For over ten years, Airbnb has been offering unique accommodation experiences for travelers. Guests have been able to book stays in lighthouses, trains, domes, and even windmills. 

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Matteo Colombo

Related: Airbnb Reveals Its First Major Redesign In A Decade, Here Are 3 Major Updates

Unique properties soar

From 2019 to 2021, unique property bookings increased by almost 50 percent globally. This means that the hosts of unique bookings are earning more money. According to Airbnb, unique listings earned nearly $1 billion in 2021 alone. Earnings for unique listings were higher globally in 2021 than for non-unique listings. 

It’s easier than ever to search for unique accommodations

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Airbnb has made it super easy to find and book unique listings with its addition of Airbnb Categories, which launched in May. The OMG! Category houses the most unique bookings on the platform. It even inspired the $10,000,000 OMG! Fund. 100 hosts will receive $100,00 each to create the most unique listings in the world.

Travelers love tiny homes

Tiny homes are the most booked unique listing on Airbnb. Over 2.5 million nights were booked in tiny homes on the platform in 2021. 

Over $195 million of income was generated in 2021 from tiny home bookings, making it the top earner among unique space bookings.

Many hosts are aged 50+

Most hosts of unique listings are women ages 50 and over. Half of the unique listing hosts in the U.S. were over the age of 50, with the majority being women. However, younger travelers, under 50 usually book unique listings. 

 

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Treetops are on everyone’s wishlist

Travelers have the ability to add bookings to their wishlist. Unique listings were on nearly 20 million wishlists globally in 2021. The most wish-listed listing in the world is a stunning treehouse in East Point, Georgia. The treehouse includes indoor heat and a hot tub. 

The most wish-listed unique homes in the world:

The Mushroom Dome Retreat & LAND of Paradise Suite – Aptos, California

Redwood Treehouse Santa Cruz Mountains – Watsonville, California

Trullo Aromatic Gree – Ostuni, Apúlia, Italy 

Historic Tower with Views of the Lake and Countryside – Tuoro sul Trasimeno, Umbria, Italy 

Luxurious Stone Villa in Crete – Chania, Kriti, Greece

Rainforest Tree House with Hot Springs – San Carlos, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica

DreamCaught Treehouses – Treehouse – Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Live like a King in My Castle – Galway, Ireland

Holiday in Prussian Village Church – Havelsee, Brandenburg, Germany 

Related: These Unique Airbnb Homes Will Change Your Next Vacation