Massages, chefs and trainers: Airbnb adds in-home services

Airbnb on Tuesday began letting users book in-home massages, chefs and personal trainers in an overhauled app as it continued to expand beyond being just a platform for short-term lodging.

“Hotels do have one thing that we don’t have and those are services,” said chief executive Brian Chesky at a launch event in Los Angeles.

“Who doesn’t want a quesadilla in bed?”

Chesky described the addition of services to the platform as “giving you the best of both worlds—amazing homes with services that make them even more special.”

People also have the option of using the Airbnb app to schedule the services in their own homes when they are not traveling.

Airbnb has logged more than 2 billion guest arrivals since it first launched its website in 2008, according to Chesky.

“Seventeen years ago, we changed the way people travel,” Chesky said.

“More than two billion guests later, Airbnb is synonymous with a place to stay.”

The overhauled Airbnb app rolled out Tuesday was redesigned to make it easier to book homes, services and experiences in one place, according to the company.

Airbnb also “reimagined” an experiences option added nearly a decade ago that lets travelers join with locals to see cities through the eyes of insiders.

Experience options now include landmarks, museums, food tours, water sports, wildlife adventures and more, according to Airbnb.

The company also added an “Originals” feature for booking “extraordinary” experiences such as learning pastry making at French Bastards bakery with chef Raphaelle Elbaz or playing beach volleyball with Olympian Carol Solberg on Leblon Beach in Rio de Janeiro.

“With the launch of services and experiences, we’re changing travel again,” Chesky said.

“Now you can Airbnb more than an Airbnb.”

© 2025 AFP