Airbnb’s become known for its once-in-a-lifetime, one-off stays. There was Hobbiton from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ stay. The Heeler family home from ‘Bluey’. And most recently, a stay in a traditional Japanese gassho-style home, of which there are only 150 left in the world.
The latest? Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse in Malibu, California, which will only be open for two separate stays. While the stay has been up on the platform before, this time, it’s been renovated and is now hosted by Ken.
During their stay, guests can go through Ken’s wardrobe to find their best beach ‘fit, channel their inner cowboy and do some line dancing on an outdoor disco dance floor, or simply relax in the home’s infinity pool. They’ll also have guitars to use and get their own set of yellow-and-pink Impala skates and a surfboard to take home with them.
After arrival and check-in, a concierge will organise meals for you and your guest and will show you around the home and surrounding area.
“Barbie is everything, and he’s always been ‘Just Ken’ – until now!” reads a release. “Ken has revamped part of Barbie’s Malibu DreamHouse with everything he loves (rollerblading, anyone?). And though guests can clearly see his, ahem, Kenergy, Barbie’s signature pink remains ever-present throughout the life-size, toy-inspired home, as she’s done her own redecorating since the last time the Malibu DreamHouse was available for guests.”
The stay coincides with the highly-anticipated release of ‘Barbie’, directed by Greta Gerwig, written by Gerwig and Noah Baumbach and starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrara, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman and Will Ferrell.
Like Airbnb’s other one-off stays, the Malibu DreamHouse experience isn’t a contest – though the stay is completely free-of-charge, it’s a first-come, first-serve opportunity. Bookings for the two stays open on Tuesday, July 18 at 3am AEST at airbnb.com/kendreamhouse. The stays will take place Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22 and can welcome up to two guests.
Airbnb’s last one-off stay was in a village called Suganuma, UNESCO World Heritage Site with just nine homes, all built in Gassho style. Gasso means “praying hands” in Japanese, and the homes resemble this gesture. Their roofs are made with pampas grass and have to be replaced every 25 years, as part of an expensive operation. Because of that, there are only 150-200 Gassho homes left in the country.
“The rich history and vibrant culture of this charming small town, coupled with the warm hearts of the people who live there, will make for a fascinating and restorative stay,” says Mikio Tanaka, Mayor of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture. “We hope this campaign brings attention to this beautiful destination for both Japanese residents and guests from around the world.”
Though Suganuma does welcome tourists, few hear about it. Now, though, it’s being put on the world stage with Airbnb offering one lucky group of two the chance to stay at one of the largest homes in Suganuma where four generations of the Nakashima family currently live. Bookings for the stay open Friday, June 30 at 10am AEST on airbnb.com/gassho.
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