San Francisco, CA: Airbnb has announced a major update to its app, introducing a suite of luxury services such as personal trainers, in-home massages, private chefs, spa treatments, makeup artists, and professional photographers.
These new offerings, aimed at enhancing user experience and competing with traditional hotel amenities, will initially launch in 260 cities worldwide and are priced starting from below $50 (£37.57). Notably, these services will be available to both Airbnb guests and individuals not staying in Airbnb accommodations.
“People choose hotels for their services. People choose Airbnbs for the space… now, we’re giving you the best of both worlds,” said Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, underlining the company’s strategy to bridge the gap between hotel-style services and Airbnb’s hallmark of home-like accommodations.
Now you can Airbnb more than an Airbnb pic.twitter.com/UBz4unyrzU
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) May 13, 2025
This strategic expansion comes amid signs that bookings in the US may slow, with Airbnb recently pointing to economic uncertainty influenced by President Trump’s unpredictable trade policies.
Despite hosting over two billion guests since its founding in 2008, Airbnb has also encountered increasing regulatory challenges, with some cities enforcing restrictions or outright bans on short-term rentals.
Airbnb app upgrades
As part of the app revamp, Airbnb has upgraded its ‘Experiences’ tab, originally introduced in 2016, allowing users to book personalized tours and activities.
A new ‘Originals’ tab has also been launched, offering access to exclusive, high-profile experiences around the world. These include events like playing beach volleyball in Rio de Janeiro with Olympian Carol Solberg or spending a Sunday with National Football League (NFL) star Patrick Mahomes.
Airbnb’s revamped platform marks its latest move in redefining modern travel, merging luxury, personalization, and digital convenience as it positions itself for long-term growth beyond its core short-term rental business.
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