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Airbnb’s May 13, 2025 app update did more than change the screen: it expanded the platform from booking homes into booking local activities and services such as chefs, massages and photography. The redesigned app also brought reservations, activities and trip details into a new itinerary view. That can make planning more convenient, but it does not guarantee lower costs or hotel-style service—and availability varies by destination. Airbnb has since announced a further expansion in 2026.
What Airbnb changed in May 2025
The 2025 Summer Release combined three moves: Airbnb launched a Services marketplace, relaunched Experiences, and rebuilt parts of its guest and host apps. The aim was to let customers arrange more of a trip through Airbnb, rather than use the app only to find a place to stay. Airbnb’s release overview and its detailed announcement describe the launch.
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That distinction matters when budgeting: a service or activity booked through Airbnb is an additional purchase, not an included amenity or a discount on the accommodation. The app can centralize parts of trip planning, but travelers should still compare total prices and terms before paying.
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Airbnb Services: what you could book
At launch, Airbnb listed 10 service categories: chefs, photography, massage, spa treatments, personal training, hair, makeup, nails, prepared meals and catering. Examples include arranging a private chef for a group, booking a massage at a rental, or hiring a photographer for a special occasion. Airbnb said some Services could also be booked by people who were not staying at an Airbnb.
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- Redeemable for merchandise and services on airbnb.com only.
- Redemption: Online only
- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
- Gift Cards can only be purchased by or gifted to individuals in the United States
- Additional terms apply, see airbnb.com/terms/gift_cards.
Airbnb said Services were offered in 260 cities at launch and that many had entry prices below $50. Those are launch figures and a price signal, not a promise of current coverage or a typical final bill. A low starting price may not reflect the number of guests, minimum booking, travel or setup charges, taxes, equipment, or other fees. Check the listing’s full price and conditions for your dates.
Before booking, confirm that the provider serves your exact location and can come to the property. Check whether your host, building rules or local requirements permit outside providers; whether the listing is instant-bookable or requires a request; and the cancellation, rescheduling and payment terms. Airbnb said it reviews certifications or licenses where required, but that is not a blanket assurance that every provider holds every relevant credential in every jurisdiction. Verify credentials important to your decision directly.
Experiences: activities beyond the accommodation
The relaunched Experiences marketplace covers activities such as cultural and landmark visits, food tours and cooking classes, outdoor and water activities, art and shopping, and workout, wellness and beauty sessions. Airbnb said the relaunch would reach 650 cities at launch, with local hosts selected for their perspective and expertise. Coverage and specific offerings vary by place and date.
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- Give the perfect getaway—everything from lakeside cabins to secluded beach houses to apartments in the heart of the city.
- Give immersive Experiences, from guided tours to lessons to tastings, led by local experts.
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- Use to book stays or Experiences; spend all at once or apply to multiple bookings.
The release also featured Airbnb Originals, special offerings associated with public figures including Megan Thee Stallion, Patrick Mahomes and Sabrina Carpenter. These are limited or special events, not a typical measure of what is available in the marketplace; dates, capacity, eligibility and booking requirements may constrain access.
Airbnb describes its selection approach in terms of expertise, reputation, authenticity and guest feedback. That is the company’s stated vetting approach, not independent certification or a guarantee that an activity will suit every traveler. Read the activity description, group size, meeting point, physical requirements, included items and cancellation terms before committing.
How the redesigned app changes trip planning
Explore
The new Explore homepage brings together homes, Services, Experiences and destination discovery. The idea is to surface options in the context of a trip, rather than keep accommodation and activities entirely separate.
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Trips
The Trips area organizes reservation information, check-in details and a schedule, with booked Services and Experiences alongside the stay. This can reduce the work of finding individual confirmations. Do not assume it automatically imports every outside booking: reservations made directly with airlines, restaurants or other providers may still need to be managed separately.
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Airbnb announced photo and video sharing in messaging and integrated payments for customizing Services. That does not mean every possible booking change can be completed in chat; follow the specific booking flow and terms. The redesigned profile emphasizes travel history and connections. Airbnb said at the time that more than 200 million guests and hosts had completed its identity-verification process—a company-reported figure, not a claim that all users were verified.
What changed for hosts and service providers
The host app was also adapted to manage homes, Services and Experiences. Airbnb described Airbnb Setup for listing creation, a Today tab for reservation management, a Calendar with daily and hourly scheduling and Google Calendar integration, and a Listings tab for managing details such as pricing and location. Host upgrades also included an Early Access enrollment option.
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- Use to book stays or Experiences; spend all at once or apply to multiple bookings.
- Redemption: Online
For a host, the expansion may create another route to earn from a property or professional skill. It also brings practical questions: whether an activity or in-home service is allowed by local rules, insurance and property agreements; how scheduling and access will work; and who bears responsibility if plans change or something goes wrong. A listing on a marketplace does not remove those obligations.
How to judge the real cost before booking
- Compare the total, not the headline price. Check taxes, platform charges, travel or setup fees, minimums, equipment costs and whether the price is per person, group or hour.
- Check the location and schedule. Confirm the provider serves the address, dates and group size you need. A city-level listing does not prove availability at a particular property or time.
- Read the terms before paying. Note cancellation and rescheduling windows, deposits, request-based approval and what happens if the provider cancels.
- Consider the alternative. Compare the service with a hotel, a direct local provider or another activity operator. Airbnb may simplify trip organization, but it is not automatically the cheapest option.
- Keep a spending boundary. Treat extras as discretionary trip costs. Decide what you are willing to spend on convenience or a special activity before adding several purchases to the accommodation bill.
Does the update make Airbnb a hotel replacement?
It can reproduce selected hotel-like conveniences—such as a meal prepared at the rental or a massage arranged during a stay—while retaining the space and privacy of a home. But an Airbnb stay with optional Services is not necessarily equivalent to a hotel. Hotels typically offer standardized service, staffed reception and defined on-site amenities; Airbnb offerings vary by property, provider and market. Choose based on the specific services you need, not the broad promise of an all-in-one app.
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The 2025 changes are not Airbnb’s latest major expansion. On May 20, 2026, Airbnb announced a separate Summer Release that pushed further into trip planning, including car rentals, grocery delivery, airport pickups, luggage storage, boutique hotels, additional Experiences and shared itineraries. It also announced AI-generated review highlights, home-comparison tools and AI customer support in 11 languages. Some offerings were described as rolling out later in the summer, so the announcement should not be read as proof that every feature is available to every user now.
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The 2026 announcement specified partner-backed scale for some services: Instacart grocery delivery in more than 25 U.S. cities, airport pickups through Welcome Pickups in more than 160 cities, and Bounce luggage storage at more than 15,000 locations in 175 cities. Boutique and independent hotels were initially announced for 20 destinations. These are announcement figures, not guarantees of availability for a particular trip; check the current app or provider for coverage and terms. See Airbnb’s 2026 Summer Release announcement.
The overall direction is clearer than any one feature’s coverage: Airbnb is trying to handle more of the travel journey in one place. For customers, the financial test remains whether the convenience, selection and trip organization are worth the full cost—and whether the specific service is available and reliable for their plans.
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