There’s a reason why the Barbie Airbnb is trending right now. And it’s not just the movie.
Themed Airbnbs are a thing in the STR world. And maybe it’s time you considered adopting a unique theme, too.
There are actually dozens of hot pink, candy-colored Barbie Airbnb rentals around the world.
But when it comes to popularity, nothing beats the one in Malibu. (That one isn’t available for rent anymore, though. It was just opened up on Airbnb for a limited time last July, in time for the movie’s opening.)
But other Barbie-inspired listings are getting their fair share of attention. From Atlanta to Tokyo, Scottsdale to Santorini… You can find these types of listings on Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com.
And it’s not just Barbie, either. It’s practically any hit movie or TV show. Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribean, Jumanji, Game of Thrones, and Friends. The list goes on.
As we all know, competition on Airbnb is stiff right now. If you read our post on “Airbnbust”, you’d understand why oversaturation is the top reason why many hosts aren’t making money like they used to.
New listings are popping up every day. But then, we also know that not all of them are going to stick around. It’s actually becoming a survival-of-the-fittest thing.
So if you want your business to survive during these tough times, you’ll have to be flexible and creative. You also have to up your game.
Make sure you’re optimizing not just your product and services, but also your marketing. And a themed Airbnb is one marketing method worth considering.
According to keyword research tools Ahrefs and Ubersuggest, the search volume for the phrase “themed Airbnb near me” is anywhere from 400 to 500 per month. That’s how many people are looking up themed Airbnbs on Google each month.
We already know why folks prefer Airbnb over hotels. Short-term rentals offer more space and privacy, better amenities, a chance to live like a local, and a place to escape to.
People are looking for a getaway, a retreat. They want a personal space with a unique experience that resonates with them. Their mood, their character.
And hotels, motels, and cookie-cutter condos just don’t cut it.
That’s why Airbnb’s unique stays have skyrocketed these past years.
Just take a look at Airbnb’s OMG section and find out how much unique listings are charging for their themed Airbnbs.
Why are investors and property owners spending big bucks on crazy, out-of-this-world themes? Simple. Because there are dreamers, adventurers, and die-hard fans out there who’ll pay a lot of money to stay in a rental that looks like movie set!
But not all guests will want to stay in a themed Airbnb, of course. There are pros AND cons to going thematic with short-term rentals.
Pros
Cons
If you do decide to theme your Airbnb, be sure to follow these tips.
Your chosen theme should resonate with your target market. What are people coming to your area for? What type of guests are you trying to draw? Couples? Families with young kids? Millennials and Gen Z? Business travelers? Nature-lovers?
Think of a vibe that’s different, distinctive, or at least relevant to your property’s location. Is your listing by the beach? Then a coastal or surfer vibe would be appropriate. Is it near a sports franchise? Style it with team memorabilia. Is it in the desert, mountains, or close to a national park? Provide a rustic feel.
Adopting a theme for your rental will require a lot of planning, effort, and money since you’ll be spending on interior decor.
If you have a good eye for design, have some decor ations on hand, and are able to source other pieces to create a coherent look, you can design your place yourself. Many Airbnb hosts have gone the D-I-Y route and successfully created an exceptional home that their guests love.
But you can also hire a professional designer. Either way, you’ll have to consider how to incorporate your theme into the furniture, window treatments, lighting fixtures, wall decor, and small details in your property.
Don’t forget to estimate your expenses. You don’t want to go overboard with a theme that your budget can’t afford. Some designs are simpler and cheaper to set up than others. A vintage or retro look will allow you to buy old furniture at flea markets or borrow those of your parents.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to create certain themes. Just be resourceful and creative.
Check out Pinterest, Instagram, and even TikTok to get ideas.
Stick to one theme and carry it throughout your property. You’ll want everything to look cohesive. From the entry to the bedroom, the bath amenities to the wall art. Find ways to accent key areas with your theme.
One thing about wall art. Walls are like a canvas on which you can paint your theme. Hang photos, tapestry, or paint an entire mural on them
You may want to keep things simple in some parts of the property. But in others, you can be fun and creative. Kids like paintings of Spiderman and Queen Elsa in their rooms because they like characters and colorful spaces.
Once you’ve executed and staged your theme, take professional, high-quality photos of your property. Emphasize the unique motif. Post the new photos on your listing and share them on social media.
You’ll want to update your listing description, too. In the title, include information about your theme so people will quickly know what to expect from your property. Use descriptive words that are relevant to your vibe. Words like “dreamy”, “enchanting”, or “fantasy”, for example.
Aside from the standard OTAs, social media, and the usual marketing channels, use non-traditional ways to publicize your business. Work with local businesses, trade organizations, and social influencers that align with your theme.
For example, if your theme is local culture, consider collaborating with artists and art galleries, souvenir shops selling ethnic crafts, and restaurants serving local cuisine.
It it’s wellness, bring in the fitness gurus.
The decision is really yours.to make. You have to choose the style that works best for your location, budget, and target guests.
Here are some popular styles the pros use in designing interiors, as well as trending themes that hosts have been keen to adopt:
With over 2.2 million Airbnb listings across the United States right now, it’s critical that you find ways to stand out from the crowd. You can’t afford to be “just another Airbnb” at this time.
Create a themed vacation rental to draw guests, get better reviews, and increase your bookings. But never forget to follow through with exceptional service – every single time.
Read also: 11 Ways to Beat the Airbnbust and Boost Your Bookings Quickly
Ready to learn how we built and operate a $2M/year short-term rental business, operate properties throughout the USA remotely, and acquired 70+ properties without owning any in just 2 years? Attend our free online master class to learn how you can do the same. Click here.
