From honeymoons to family getaways, there’s one word travelers are focusing on when it comes to their next vacation — luxury! In fact, the “luxury tourism market” is only growing, as vacationers not only want to travel and see new places, they’re turning to sites like Airbnb to find the most private and extravagant vacation homes available.
In terms of how much money is flowing into this industry, a report by Global Market Insights found that the luxury tourism market’s size exceeded $17 billion in 2021! Moreover, their estimates show that market will grow by 15 percent annually from 2022 to 2030.
It’s no surprise that vacationers are going all out when it comes to travel as previous studies have found that many people are in dire need of a holiday! Due to the pandemic, one poll conducted in the summer of 2022 found that 32 percent of Americans haven’t reconnected with their extended family in four years. Another recent survey found that one in six people have never traveled outside of their home state.
As for that aspect of “luxury,” four in 10 parents are so desperate for a lavish getaway, they’d ditch their kids in coach if they had a chance to move up to first class on a flight! Meanwhile, 54 percent expect to spend more than usual on their next vacation to make up for lost travel time during the pandemic.
So, where should you go if you’re looking for the most luxurious vacation possible, with plenty of privacy to boot? The researchers at Compare My Jet looked at 27 of the most popular luxury destinations worldwide and compared them based on the best luxury Airbnb experiences available at those locations. From that list, the team mapped out the 10 most luxurious Airbnb destinations you should add to your bucket list!
St. Barth’s top the list of luxurious vacations
Based on how each location scored for the number of luxury Airbnb’s available (per visitor numbers), the average cost per night, and the percentage of accommodations available that offer guests a private pool, hot tub, gym, and beach front location, the winner heading into 2023 is St. Barth’s in the Caribbean.
“St. Barth’s may be an exclusive location with a small number of visitors compared to other destinations, however, per visitor numbers, there are an abundance of luxury Airbnb accommodation options available (around 2,202 per 10,000 visitors),” the team at Compare My Jet writes.
Belize finished in second place, thanks to being one of the cheapest places to have a luxury vacation. On average, Airbnb guests would only need to shell out $983 a night for a stay in paradise. Moreover, literally every guest is guaranteed of a great view!
“100% of Luxe Airbnb’s in San Pedro, Belize have a pool, hot tub and are beach front. However, it could be said that Belizeans don’t believe anyone should be spending their time working out whilst staying somewhere so luxurious, with none of the luxe Airbnb’s featuring a gym,” the researchers write.
Top 10 locations worldwide for a luxury Airbnb experience
Looking for luxury on a budget?
Along with Belize, Croatia and Indonesia are three of the least expensive locations travelers can visit and have a luxurious time without breaking the bank.
Meanwhile, if you’re traveling with friends and family, or looking for the perfect destination wedding location, Canada tops the list of Airbnb experiences offering luxury properties with at least eight bedrooms.
Five least expensive locations for the average luxury Airbnb:
|
Rank |
Location |
Average cost of stay per night ($) |
|
1 |
Belize (San Pedro Town) |
983 |
|
2 |
Croatia |
1,529 |
|
3 |
Indonesia |
2,043 |
|
4 |
Greece |
2,173 |
|
5 |
St Lucia |
2,218 |
What if price is no option?
If you’re truly looking to empty the bank account and have the vacation of a lifetime, head to Europe! The survey found the most expensive Luxe Airbnb’s available in France and Italy, costing over $23,000 per night! On average, however, you’ll find the priciest accommodations in Antigua and Barbuda, costing nearly $13,000 a night for a luxury stay.
“France is home to the most expensive luxury Airbnb – Chalet Le Coquelicot can be found in Saint-Bon-Tarentaise, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France and can be rented out for around £27.6k per night. The chalet goes above and beyond for amenities including staff that can drive guests to the nearest ski lifts, wine cellar and theatre,” the Compare My Jet team writes.
Five most expensive locations for the average luxury Airbnb:
