Tourism

Meals at home and personal chef: Airbnb also competes with hotels by offering food&beverage services

CEO Chesky announced the new platform: experiences also possible at home and not only for tourists

14 May 2025

3' min read

Airbnb's offer is getting closer to that of hotels, enriching itself with new services made available on the online platform (also renewed in technical aspects) for those who rent accommodation. The announcement arrived from California on a global level with the Summer Release 2025: from now on, it is possible to book at home from a hairdresser to a personal trainer, from massages to photo shoots. And of course, the food offer could not be missing: ready meals and catering up to a chef at home, which will refine cooking courses or visits dedicated to getting to know the best of the area's food and wine offerings, packages that are already partly present on the platform but will now be enriched and better integrated into the app.

"Those who choose a hotel often do so for the amenities; those who book an Airbnb do so for the space and ambience," explained Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. Now we offer the best of both: great homes and amenities that make them even more special. After more than two billion guests in 17 years, we are changing the way people travel again". As of today, Airbnb's proposition is divided into three categories: accommodation, services and experiences (introduced a decade ago for those who want to join the locals for a cooking class or a stroll through a trendy neighbourhood, for example).

The services can actually also be requested at home, opening up the portal even to users who are not planning any travel. The identity of home service providers is verified by the app in a similar way to that of those who rent out accommodation, but in addition official licences and certifications are required, according to local regulations.

There are 10 categories in 260 cities, to which new activities and destinations will be added regularly:

1) Chefs: customisable meals at home, prepared by professional chefs.

2) Photographic services: ad hoc sessions held by experienced photographers.

3) Massages: regenerating treatments, such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and reflexology, performed by qualified therapists.

4)Wellness treatments: facials, microdermabrasion, body scrubs and many others offered by professional beauticians.

5) Customised workouts: yoga, fitness classes and more with personal trainers.

6) Hair care: professional haircuts and styling by experienced hairdressers.

7) Make-up: make-up for everyday or special occasions with professional make-up artists.

8) Nail treatments: manicures and pedicures performed by specialists.

9) Ready meals: ready-made dishes prepared by professional chefs.

10) Catering: full catering service with customised menus, decoration, set-up and cleaning.

Here are some examples Services and Experiences provided by the platform:

- Make gelato as in ancient Rome, together with a fifth-generation gelato master;
- Venture into the history of cocktails in Italy's first speakeasy;
- Dine with world-renowned chef Enrique Olvera in his award-winning restaurant, Pujol;
- Experience a 'Chef's Night Out' in Paris with Julien Do Le Pham;
- Learn the art of ramen with Chef Saburo Ishigōka, culinary mind behind the Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand award-winning restaurant
- Celebrate with an elegant Taco Bell and margarita-themed evening at home in Mexico City.

Anyone wishing to offer an Airbnb service can register as a host: 'applications,' explain airbnb, 'are open to experienced professionals interested in sharing their expertise' (relevant licences and certifications will be required). The new version of the app also 'accompanies the user through all stages of the journey: after booking accommodation, services and experiences are proposed that are customised according to the destination and fellow travellers. 4 Upon arrival, a detailed schedule with check-in information and a daily summary of bookings is provided. Throughout the duration of the stay, experiences available nearby are suggested.

Emiliano SgambatoResponsabile Food24
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Luogo: Milano
Lingue parlate: Inglese
Argomenti: Agroalimentare, mercato immobiliare, arredo-design
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