If you thought you knew everything there was to Airbnb, you thought wrong. Having already reinvented modern hospitality, the brand also delivers a vacation experience you’ll never forget. How does your own private chef sound? Or a curated holiday from Olympian snowboarder turned host Christy Prior? These are but two of the many one-of-a-kind upgrades offered by Airbnb Experiences, which connects guests with a variety of upgrades to your holiday like tours, events, adventures, and services.
Image: Scott Purcell, Man of Many
For travel-ready Aussies, Airbnb Experience couldn’t come at a better time. Now that the lockdowns have been lifted, one can take a quarantine-free vacation to nearby hotspots such as Queenstown, New Zealand. We recently did so ourselves and stayed at The Homestead, an Airbnb Luxe listing on the shores of Lake Hayes. To call our trip an event-packed adventure for the ages would be putting it mildly—you can read about it here.
Whether you’re an avid skier or hiker or just someone who appreciates a majestic view or a great meal, New Zealand is every bit as worthy a destination as its stellar reputation would suggest. Meanwhile, Airbnb Experience takes your next Queenstown adventure to even greater heights. Here’s everything you need to know.
Image: Airbnb
What is Airbnb Experience?
Odds are you’re already familiar with Airbnb, which gives you the opportunity to stay at various homes and locales across the world. Airbnb Experience takes things a step further by connecting you with unique hosts or guides, who don’t just offer incredible stays but also one-of-a-kind activities and events. Now available in Queenstown, it’s perfect for couples, families, and groups alike.
The Airbnb Experience in Queenstown
From local vineyards to clean lakes to swanky golf courses to epic ski slopes to helicopter rides and more, Queenstown, New Zealand is chock full of memories in the making. It’s then no surprise that the current selection of Airbnb Experiences is similarly bursting with activity. You can click here for a full list, which includes everything from winery hops to “Lord of the Rings” tours to scenic bike rides. Here are two of the best examples:
Image: Scott Purcell, Man of Many
Private At-Home Chef
Airbnb Experience brings the taste of Queenstown into the comfort of your dwelling through this exclusive opportunity. Sit back and relax as a private chef prepares a multi-course dinner for you and the other guests. We were treated to this experience ourselves during our stay at The Homestead and trust us when we say you’re in for a treat. Indeed, nothing says “luxury vacation” quite like this!
Image: Scott Purcell, Man of Many
Olympian Christy Prior
New Zealand native Christy Prior didn’t pick up her first snowboard until the age of 17, making her numerous accolades all the more impressive. By the age of 30, she’d become a New Zealand Olympian, World Cup Slopestyle Champion, European Open Champion, and 2x X Games medalist. You can now throw “world-class Airbnb Host” onto her list of accomplishments.
Image: Airbnb
If you’re looking for adventure, you won’t have to look far. Not only does Christy host two properties and three experiences, but she’s even created local Airbnb guides with her favourite places and activities around New Zealand. Her Airbnb Experiences make up part of a global selection, whereby guests and fans can connect with Olympians and Paralympians around the world. Options include the following:
- On-snow private session with Christy.
- Private in-person yoga class with an Olympian.
- Private online yoga and meditation session with an Olympian.
Adventure Awaits
Most of us have been stuck at home for the last few years and we’re definitely geared up for travel. Now is the time to book an Airbnb Experience, which streamlines your itinerary whilst bolstering your overall vacation. We can’t recommend Queenstown highly enough but you knew that as soon as you saw the words “New Zealand.” Check out the current list of locally-hosted activities and prepare for an experience you’ll remember for ages.
The author of this article, Scott Purcell, was invited to Queenstown NZ as a guest of Airbnb.
