10 Most Favorited Airbnbs Around the World, From a Rainforest Villa in Bali to a Glass Cottage in Iceland
Opting for an Airbnb over a smart hotel can often offer a more authentic slice-of-life experience, but the individualistic nature of each stay means that quality can vary. Airbnb has now made it easier to head off potential disappointments upon check-in with the launch of its new Guest Favorites filter, designed to showcase the best the site offers from both an accommodation and customer service standpoint so that you can rest easy before your trip.
“People often describe checking into an Airbnb as a ‘moment of truth’—when you find out if the home you booked meets your expectations,” said Airbnb co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky. “Too often, it doesn’t. We’re changing that today.”
To be crowned a Guest Favorite, each stay has garnered excellent reviews from former patrons and an average rating of 4.9 stars. They score highly for ease of check-in, cleanliness, listing accuracy, host communication, location, and value. Further, the hosts are in the top tier of reliability, with quality-related service issues and cancellations below one percent on average. Nearly two-thirds of these stays—including all those featured on Condé Nast Traveler—come from Superhosts, who have earned a long and strong track record of fabulous hospitality.
There are over two million guest favorites on the site right now—just look for the new Guest Favorite badge while you peruse. Or, you could leave the work to us. We’ve rounded up a selection of our choicest picks from around the world below.
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Giorgos Sfakianakis/AirbnbA favorite Cycladic home in Santorini, Greece
Sleeps: 4
Perched on the cliffs of the caldera in Oia, this traditional cave house is the top trending Airbnb in Santorini. Arched doorways, organic steps and a cocoon cave bedroom all add to the unique charm of the house. Ultimately, a vacation here is all about that view, one you get all to yourself, along with a semi-cave whirlpool and multiple vantage points via the multi-level private terrace.
Courtesy AirbnbA beautiful riad in Marrakech, Morocco
Sleeps: 2
This sprawling riad near Bahia Palace has all of the bells and whistles of a modern hotel—a restaurant, room service, and spa—along with some of the most beautiful interiors in Marrakech. There are not one but two swimming pools here—one on the rooftop amongst a cacti garden, while the other, in the courtyard, takes inspiration from the pool at Ben Youssef Madrasa, the largest Islamic college in Morocco. After a day exploring the souks, there are several nooks and hideaways for relaxing and enjoying a quiet cup of mint tea, or you can book in for a treatment at the hammam and spa. The eight rooms here are equally as beautiful as the shared spaces, each enjoying its own style, some with four poster beds.
A cozy log cabin in Kent, UK
Sleeps: 2
Embrace the quirky, cozy interiors of this romantic timber retreat for two. The compact space inside of this hidden log cabin spans a split floor, with a modernist feel to the kitchen and living space. The slanted ceilinged bedroom area above benefits from the extra natural light of the double-height open floor plan and provides an intimate place to curl up in. Outside, the deck and garden beyond feel mystical, almost as though fairies might dance between the wafting sounds of nature. Fire up the BBQ and enjoy a good alfresco meal before dipping into the wood-fired hot tub for an evening under the stars.
A glass cottage in Iceland
Sleeps: 2
It’s hard to imagine anything more picturesque and remote than this Airbnb, located on an (often snow-covered) lava desert in the south of Iceland. The otherworldly setting could be enough to warrant a stay, but what’s even more of a drawcard is the cottage itself. Floor-to-ceiling windows surround the property, including the bathroom, so you can shower while admiring views of volcanoes. The bedroom is completely covered in glass, including the roof, so you can sleep under the spectacular stars—and if you’re lucky, some Northern Lights—in complete cozy comfort. The overall space is very Hygge, with chic natural elements and clever design. In addition to cozy sweaters and socks, don’t forget to pack your bathing suit—there’s a hot tub on the terrace outside.
An apartment with Eiffel Tower views in Paris, France
Sleeps: 6
It's not hard to see why The Viognier apartment is one of the top-rated Airbnbs in Paris. The two-bedroom apartment enjoys an elusive location in the Left Bank’s 7th arrondissement, literally steps from the Parc du Champ-de-Mars. But the sixth-floor vantage point is the real selling point, offering unobstructed, front-row views of the Eiffel Tower from its romantic balcony and spacious lounge. The location is unbeatable, but the apartment is also a rare find—air conditioning, a large kitchen, private laundry, and a building elevator are all noteworthy features in the French capital.
A chic apartment with hotel services in Mexico City
Sleeps: 2
For the past few years, Airbnb has been bringing more and more boutique hotels onto its platform, and this one-bedroom serviced apartment—part of the Casa Dovela Aparthotel—is a result. The well-designed space features a spa-like bathroom with both a rain shower and soaking tub, a king-sized bed with blackout shades, and a modern kitchen with an elegant dining room. Because it's not your average Airbnb, it also comes with a few perks, like access to a concierge who can help you with booking restaurant reservations, massages, manicures, personal training sessions, chefs, room service breakfast, and more at an additional cost. (If this particular Airbnb is booked, Casa Dovela's two other two-bedrooms are available on the site.)
A rainforest hideaway in Bali
Sleeps: 4
Forget the tropical trees swaying gently, the views of the volcanoes across the rainforest, or the distant sound of waterfalls in the distance—inside this villa is where you’ll want to be. With an abundance of offerings to keep you entertained, it’s easier to hole up here for a few days without venturing further afield. For starters, there’s a dedicated meditation space, private saltwater swimming pool, dry sauna, large open-air bathtub, and access to a couple of natural springs. You can enhance your yoga practice with the selection of relaxing music available from the sound system—or, of course, there's always the in-house steel pan drum. If the novelty of surveying the landscapes starts to fade, there’s a movie projector and a selection of films to watch. A massage table and therapist are also available on request. And that’s without mentioning the traditional Balinese interiors, all sloping roofs and relaxed linens designed to prioritize light and space, allowing visitors to enjoy the vistas from almost every angle.
A desert retreat in Joshua Tree, California
Sleeps: 4
Those magical desert views are on show from every room within Saddleback Haus. Located just outside Joshua Tree National Park, the newly built house has thoughtfully considered every detail, from the wine fridge in the kitchen to the Apple monitor at the workstation and Public Goods toiletries in the bathrooms. White walls are given warmth via natural elements like wood, cane, and jute throughout, while heating and AC units in each room ensure comfort is a priority. You'd be forgiven for spending much of your stay outside—the house has an alfresco living room and dining area, saltwater hot tub, firepit, and private shower.
Courtesy AirbnbAn open-air treehouse in Puntarena, Costa Rica
Sleeps: 2
This two-story treehouse is a yogi’s dream. About 15 minutes south of Pavones in Punta Banco—a biological hotspot known for its thriving population of species like white-faced capuchin monkeys and brown-throated sloths—this isolated open-air bungalow will immerse you in nature. Offering indoor-outdoor living at its finest, this unique spot’s first floor includes a bedroom equipped with a comfortable bamboo mattress and waterfall-style outdoor shower, while the top level features a fully equipped kitchen and a yoga deck with a hammock.
A working farm with a sprawling private pool in Stellenbosch, South Africa
Sleeps: 9
After getting your fill of Cape Town, head to Stellenbosch for excellent wine, top-tier restaurants, and a stay at this gorgeous, quirky property. The views are spectacular, and the lengthy lap pool is no doubt worth a dip if only to take in the surrounding mountains from a cooler spot (the outdoor patio’s wood-burning fireplace is another amenity not to miss). You’ll want to spend the rest of your time exploring the home; it’s teeming with plants, shelves of books, and eclectic art.
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.