There's a neat function on Airbnb that allows users to wishlist and bookmark their dream vacation rentals. Airbnb analyzed the data of its US customers to determine which locations were most desired. By checking the dates that users are planning to vacation on, they've ascertained the different seasons of the year that best match various locations and properties. These are the most wishlisted holiday destinations in 2021.
Most Popular: Upstate New York
For prospective tourists, the general trend is shifting away from traditional hotels. By far, people want to live as far away from regular areas as possible. Many big cities have lost their charm in the eyes of the public. Concerns over crime and over-organization have soured the appeal of modern living. In fact, after a long pandemic, most tourists just want a cozy cabin in the woods. The preferred criteria for a good cabin are consistent. It must be cozy, secluded, relatively pre-modern, and close to hiking trails, lakes, and mountains.
This is made apparent by the fact that the most wishlisted property on Airbnb is a rustic cabin in the Catskills, Upstate New York. Metropolitan residents have always made up a large portion of the tourist population. They are driven by push factors such as the lack of privacy and the general stress of being in an environment saturated with noise and air pollution. It's not surprising that after months of lockdowns, New Yorkers are eager to get away from it all, and upstate New York is the most coveted vacation destination.
"Unplug and unwind..."
The description for this popular Airbnb is exactly what tourists are yearning for.
- Airbnb: Log Cabin with Catskill Mountain Views
- Nightly Cost: $125
- Amenities and Perks: Sunset and mountain views from the room, fireplace, fully stocked kitchen, record player, outdoor fire pit, extra blankets
- Nearby: Proximity to skiing, fishing, and hiking
Overall, the most coveted season for cabin rentals is fall. Human nature is drawn to traditional living. Even the most deracinated city slickers are attracted to the prospect of warming up in front of the fireplace after a chilly hike. Apparently central heating and sterile hotel dwelling are not enough to satisfy the human spirit.
Metropolitan residents who don't live on the East Coast likewise crave to be in nature. Cabins are coveted all over the country in places with remote and natural landscapes like Ohio, California, and Washington.
Surprisingly Popular: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Community is a central aspect of human nature. However, a sense of community is hard to come by in bigger cities where everything happens, and small cities where nothing happens. For this reason, after cozy cabins, the most coveted vacation properties are in mid-sized cities and college towns.
College football season begins around Thanksgiving, which is why Airbnb saw a spike in interest for cities like Ann Arbor, Michigan; Eugene, Oregon; and Lincoln, Nebraska. With the lockdowns prohibiting public gatherings, people are eager to take their place in a crowd and cheer for something more real than a smartphone or television can provide.
This Airbnb in Ann Arbor is perfectly geared for tourists who want to immerse themselves in the college football frenzy.
- Airbnb: State & Liberty - BEST Campus Location - GO BLUE!
- Nightly Cost: $179
- Amenities and Perks: Fully stocked kitchen, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning
- Nearby: Next door to the University of Michigan and in close proximity to downtown Michigan
College football season lasts for about 13 weeks, which means that these mid-sized cities will be flooded with tourists and public gatherings throughout the winter.
Festivity And Warmth: New York And Orlando
Winter is arguably the most festive time of the year. People want warmth in one of two ways: the warmth of festivity and Christmas lights, or the warmth of sunny weather and clear skies.
Everyone wants a Hallmark Christmas, and for travelers who live outside of big cities, New York is the ultimate destination. However, visitors still seem to prefer self-catering properties with kitchen amenities and a homely feel.
- Airbnb: Big room with rooftop views next to Times Square
- Nightly Cost: $265
- Amenities and Perks: Kitchen, large windows with city views, Wi-Fi, blackout curtains, air-conditioning, free parking
- Nearby: Central Park, Times Square, Port Authority, Empire State building
Other visitors want to escape the winter altogether while still participating in festivities. Central Florida has the best of both worlds in this regard. Some of the most dazzling Christmas and New Year spectacles happen at Disney World and Universal Orlando. This cottage near Disney provides guests with an immersive and revelrous experience.
- Airbnb: Tahiti Gil’s Mananui
- Nightly Cost: $167
- Amenities and Perks: Kitchen, patio, lake view, Wi-Fi, good weather, wildlife, festive theme
- Nearby: Sherwood Forest, Disney World, alligator lakes, golf course
The people have spoken (through Airbnb). Restive after a long, difficult couple of years, tourists are keen to escape big cities in the fall, participate in public gatherings, soak in the festivities, and avoid the winter. Catskill, New York; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Orlando, Florida; and New York City are among the most wishlisted Airbnb destinations in the USA.