The Secret Hidden in Airbnb's Most Wish listed Homes

The Secret Hidden in Airbnb’s Most Wish listed Homes

Airbnb’s most wish listed homes offer a fascinating glimpse into the types of stays people dream about.

Youde think that the homes topping the lists would be sprawling mansions, luxury penthouses,

places with marble and gold taps.

Instead they are small – even tiny.

 A secluded cabin hidden amongst the trees. A rainforest retreat. A stargazing bubble. A lakeside cottage. A rustic hut overlooking the ocean.

The common thread isn’t luxury.

It’s escape.

 I’ve looked through Airbnb’s most wish listed stays from around Australia, and a pattern quickly emerges. Many are located in regional areas, surrounded by nature and designed to help guests slow down. Outdoor baths appear again and again. Fire pits. Hot tubs. Huge windows framing forests, paddocks, mountains or water.

These homes aren’t simply offering somewhere to sleep.

They’re offering an experience.

Perhaps that’s why outdoor baths have become such a sought-after feature. Guests don’t necessarily need a bath outside. What they’re really seeking is the feeling it represents: slowing down, reconnecting with nature, sharing a romantic moment, or simply sitting quietly under the stars with nowhere else to be.

The same could be said for many of the tiny homes and off-grid cabins that dominate wishlists. They aren’t selling space. In fact, many have very little of it.

What they offer instead is simplicity.

A chance to step away from the noise of everyday life.

As a host, I’ve noticed something similar with my own guests.

If I had to estimate, around 70 to 80 per cent of my bookings involve some kind of celebration. Anniversaries. Birthdays. Babymoons (which, if you’re wondering, is apparently a holiday before a baby arrives). Marriage proposals. Or sometimes simply a couple escaping work, kids and responsibilities for a night or two.

What all these guests have in common is that they’re looking for something a little more special than accommodation.

They’re looking for a memory.

And that journey starts long before they arrive.

It begins with the photos.

The best Airbnb photos don’t just show a room. They help guests imagine themselves there. Sitting in the outdoor bath with a glass of wine. Curled up in front of a fire on a winter afternoon. Watching a movie under the stars. Drinking coffee on the deck while the rest of the world is still asleep.

The booking often happens the moment a guest can picture themselves inside the experience.

And if that’s true, then the anticipation becomes part of the experience too.

Personally, I absolutely love planning a trip. Sometimes I think the excitement begins the moment I click “Book”. I start researching restaurants, finding hidden beaches, reading reviews, looking at photos and imagining the days ahead.

In many ways, the holiday begins twice.

Once when you book it.

And again when you arrive.

That’s why I believe it’s so important for hosts to keep that excitement building. A warm welcome message sent shortly after booking. A thoughtfully curated guidebook full of local cafés, walks, wineries and hidden gems. Recommendations from someone who genuinely knows and loves the area.

Think about it. If someone has booked your Airbnb for an anniversary, birthday or romantic getaway, they’re already imagining the weekend ahead. They’re talking about it over dinner. Counting down the days. Looking at your photos again. Sending links to each other.

As hosts, we have the opportunity to nurture that excitement.

The best stays don’t begin at the front door.

They begin weeks earlier, when guests start imagining themselves there.

It’s also interesting to consider what these wishlisted homes tell us about travel more broadly. Despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures, Australians haven’t stopped travelling. If anything, many travellers appear to be rethinking how they travel.

Rather than one large holiday, many are choosing shorter, more frequent escapes closer to home. A weekend in the bush. Two nights by the coast. A cabin in the hills. The kind of trip that doesn’t require months of planning but still feels like a genuine break from routine.

The most wishlisted homes seem perfectly positioned for this style of travel.