With the holiday season in full swing, travel planning is at the back of many people’s minds. Airbnb knows that everyone should have the opportunity to explore the world, so it’s introducing a number of features to help guests with accessibility needs find and book travel destinations. Accessible listings have been searched for more than 5 million times1. Launched last year, the category features a curated list of spaces that have verified step-free entry to the home, at least one bedroom and bathroom, and at least one accessible feature in the bathroom.
Explore the world in style: accommodation with accessible features
The category currently has over 1,100 listings worldwide, including a variety of unique and luxurious accommodations, from mountain cabins in North Carolina to luxury villas in Costa Rica. We’ve handpicked the most wishlist homes in the adaptive category to not only prioritize accessibility, but also provide a unique travel experience with superior design.
Tips from guests with accessibility concerns
Suzanne Edwards, Head of Accessibility Hosting Standards at Airbnb, emphasizes the value and importance of making listings more inclusive. As a wheelchair user herself, Edwards feels that adaptive categories can add charm and comfort to her and others’ travel experiences.
“For me, it’s not just the accessibility feature that draws me to browse this new category; rather, it’s the fact that accessibility is a given and that many of the homes are beautiful and fun to stay in. When I travel, I want to know if a listing meets my needs so I can have more peace of mind when booking. I’ve had some amazing experiences traveling with the adaptive category since the category launched. For example, on a recent trip to Carlsbad, California, I stayed in a home that was functional for my needs, but also had a stunning ocean view. I was able to be with friends and enjoy the sunset each night while cooking dinner.”
Suzanne Edwards, Head of Accessible Hosting Standards at Airbnb
Here are some tips to help guests decide if a property meets their needs:
Check the adaptation category and accessibility search filter: Each home in this category undergoes a detailed 3D scan to review its accessibility features and display key details such as doorway width. Even if a listing is not in the adaptation category, it may have the accessibility features guests are looking for. To find listings outside of the category, Airbnb guests can use 13 accessibility search features, such as “guest doorway width 32 inches or more” and handicapped parking. Use photos to determine if the home is suitable for your needs: Airbnb’s accessibility review process requires hosts to upload photos for each accessibility feature listed in their listing. Airbnb agents manually review photos of accessibility features submitted by hosts before making them available to guests. Contact the host if you have questions: Hosts upload photos of their home’s accessibility features to help people understand if the home is suitable for their needs. If you still have questions about the home or neighborhood, contact the host through the platform. Check the reviews: Guests can now search for keywords within reviews. Searching for reviews from other guests with accessibility needs is a great way to get an idea of how the space worked for them and what went down during their stay.
Tips from hosts who create accessible homes
Pauline Aug, Host Advisory Board member and host of an adapted category home, explains the impact of providing such a home for guests with accessibility needs: “Accessible accommodations are more than just doors and bathrooms. Accessible accommodations mean freedom, personal sovereignty, and the space to be yourself.”
Here are some tips for hosts who want to make their home more accessible and welcome guests with accessibility needs.
Add accessibility features to your listing: Amenities that are easy for guests to see include a step-free guest entrance and step-free showers. See a full list of accessibility features here. Use photos to highlight your space’s accessibility: Add as many photos as possible to help potential guests with accessibility needs understand if your home is a good fit. Ask questions before booking: Helpful conversation starters include “Do you have any specific questions about the space?” and “Is there anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable?” Consider adding finishing touches: Consider adding finishing touches, such as placing household items within easy reach, before guests with accessibility needs arrive. Create a comprehensive and attractive guidebook: Consider identifying restaurants with ramps, listing walking paths with paved sidewalks, and sharing information about public transportation.
Guest Favorites
Many of the listings featured here are part of Airbnb’s Guest Favorites collection, which includes 2 million of Airbnb’s most loved accommodations based on ratings, reviews, and reliability data from over 500 million trips. Guest Favorites have excellent reviews, average a rating of 4.9 stars or higher, and experience less than 1% host cancellations or quality-related customer service issues, on average.
