Airbnb Unveils High-End Luxe Offering

To bolster its luxury travel efforts, Airbnb has unveiled its Luxe offering, which includes more than 2,000 high-end homes. The home sharing company sends out inspectors to determine whether homes meet criteria such as chef-grade appliances and high-quality furniture, Fortune reported.

Airbnb’s Global Marketing Director for Luxury Eshan Ponnadurai said, according to the report, “The last couple of years, we’ve been focused on how do we create an Airbnb for luxury travelers.” He added that the luxury tier moves the company’s goal of “creating an Airbnb for everyone” forward.

Accommodation prices run the gamut from $1,000 to almost $150,000 per night, with an average of roughly $2,000. At the same time, Luxe is said to provide travelers with an around-the-clock concierge, called a “trip designer,” to help them plan their adventures. While many of the Luxe listings are rural vacation homes, the platform also has some city listings, such as a Los Angeles French country-style mansion and a cottage in the vicinity of London’s Kensington Palace.

Last February, Airbnb announced that it was introducing new tiers on its platform geared toward travelers looking for higher-end lodging. In a blog post at the time, Airbnb said the new tiers are called “Airbnb Plus” and “Beyond by Airbnb,” aiming to cater to a broader range of travelers. The two new levels were designed to recognize hosts who provide hospitality that goes above and beyond.

The company wrote at the time, “Starting with 2,000 homes in 13 cities available to book right now, Airbnb Plus is intended for guests looking for beautiful homes, exceptional hosts and added peace of mind. Airbnb Plus homes have been inspected and verified in person against a 100+ point checklist covering cleanliness, comfort and design. Airbnb Plus hosts benefit from top placement, in-home services such as design consultation and expert photography, and premium support.”