Airbnb's themed rentals near Long Island to book
There’s change in the air at Airbnb, as the booking website expands its listings to include experiences, services and new, nearby, wow-worthy rentals at comparatively affordable rates.
The San-Francisco-based company, which claims 8 million listings worldwide, recently rolled out a reservations app and added two new listing categories: experiences such as restaurant dining and historic tours and services including makeup and spa sessions.
Here are five rentals that go way beyond the living room air mattress to offer sports, gamer, Taylor Swift and off-the-grid themes — all within a four-hour drive of Long Island.
Schoolie Airbnb on Long Island Sound in St. James. Credit: Danielle Ragonese
Kitchen, full bath, kayak and hammock chair
Up to two adults and two children
School days nostalgia meets an off-the grid vibe staying in this bus converted into a stationary retreat for kayakers and nature lovers. Host Danielle Ragonese, of Setauket, said her "skoolie" Airbnb is "a full-size school bus that functions as an apartment." She said she bought the 1989 bus "as a shell, had it professionally renovated" and opened it to guests last summer. Its solar-powered amenities include a full kitchen and bath. Relax on 18 "serene acres," she says, close enough to a Long Island Sound beach to quietly launch a kayak.
$302 per night, weekends only
Harmony Vineyards winery in St. James, Avalon Nature Preserve in Stony Brook, Stony Brook Village Center.
Guests can climb the rock wall at this Airbnb. Credit: AvantStay and STR Cribs
About 3 ½ hours
Five bedrooms, 3.5 baths, game rooms, rock-climbing wall, golf driving range, pool, fire pitand hot tub
16
It’s always game on whether you’re a card player, golfer, rock-climber or all around sports lover at this activity-packed group getaway.
Grand Timber, which opened in September, offers "amenities for all ages, adventure and relaxation," said co-owner Mark Callazzo.
Two indoor game rooms boast hockey, poker, shuffleboard and pool tables, a rock-climbing wall and a swimming pool with a wet bar. For fresh air fun, step outside to a backyard sports court, playground or putting green. Finish the day relaxing by the fire pit or in the hot tub.
A view of the master bedroom in the cabin. Credit: AvantStay and STR Cribs
Starting at $1,737 per night for the entire house
White Haven area attractions include Hickory Run State Park with hiking trails and a waterfall, Holy Ghost Distillery, Hickory Run Lavender Farm and Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.
The Pinball Palace, a one-of-a-kind Pinball-themed Airbnb in Brigantine, NJ. Credit: George Bellace
About four hours.
Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, kitchen, washer/dryer, pinball machines, arcade games, deck with bay view.
Nine
Vintage arcade and pinball games that last flashed "game over" decades ago are beeping and clicking again throughout this new Airbnb on the Jersey Shore.
Opened since February in a scenic marina on a barrier island, Pinball Palace "appeals to multigenerational guests," said co-host Krista Baum. The space features multiple working pinball machines, classic arcade games and a pool table, Baum said. Current pinball options include Jaws, 1991 Slugfest Baseball and Bromley little pro mini golf. From the arcade era, test your joystick skills with Donkey Kong and Ms. Packman. You won’t need any tokens to play because it’s all included in the day rate, Baum said. The games are switched out regularly to provide new vintage fun, "because the [Airbnb] owner is a collector" with a trove of golden age arcade hardware, Baum said. The music is also old-school, playing on a 1958 Seeburg jukebox, she added.
Play arcade games like pinball, Donkey Kong and more. Credit: George Bellace
Starts at $652 per night
Brigantine Beach, The Brigantine Farmers Market (Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, Brigantine Community School parking lot, Sheridan Boulevard), Atlantic City boardwalk and casinos.
The Swift Suite airbnb in Absecon, New Jersey. Credit: George Bellace
About 3 ½ hours.
Four bedrooms with Taylor Swift album-inspired decorations, three baths, living room, kitchen, dining room, karaoke machine, vinyl record collection and record player, selfie and makeup stations.
Eight
Take photos with a Taylor Swift life-size cutout. Credit: George Bellace
Swifties can choose their era to revel in at this four-bedroom home tailor-made for fans of the chart-topping pop princess. Swift-centric Easter eggs abound in a Fearless album-inspired bedroom with three makeup stations and a "Romeo and Juliet" balcony overlooking the backyard. There are also Folklore, Lover and 1989 album-themed bedrooms with their own Swifty touches. Take photos in the selfie station next to a life-size cutout of the Eras Tour star strumming a powder blue guitar. In the backyard, the Black Dog pool house and bar features decor inspired by Swift’s 2024 power ballad.
Starts at $350 per night
Atlantic City Boardwalk and Casinos, Historic Smithville village shoppes and restaurants, paddle boats on Lake Meone.
Spend a relaxing night or weekend at the Goat Farm yurt. Credit: Mariaville Goat Farm
3 ½ hours.
Murphy bed, two cots, tree house, outdoor yoga studio, nature trails, hammock, country breakfast included.
Four
Feed the goats and sleep under the stars. Credit: Mariaville Goat Farm
Staying in this custom made, 20-foot in diameter yurt is "sort of like camping, but we try as hard as we can to make it as comfortable as possible," said Richard Hopkins, co-owner with Ed Weaver. No Wi-Fi or electricity other than a solar battery, but you will enjoy a complimentary country breakfast — usually locally sourced eggs, biscuits and yogurt — and petting and yoga sessions with the farm’s 30 goats. Hopkins said that the yurt, which Airbnb lists as a "guest favorite," is mostly "booked solid until winter." But Hopkins added that reservations are available midweek and when there are cancellations. The property also includes an Airbnb treehouse, which sleeps four, he said.
COST $120 per night
NEARBY NYzipline in Schenectady, Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail and Merry Hill Farm in Amsterdam.
MORE INFO airbnb.com
