What Is Airbnb Plus: Guide to Curated Home Collection

When you’re browsing Airbnb, you’ll probably spot some listings marked as “Plus”—and yeah, they’re usually pricier than the average spot. Airbnb Plus is basically a collection of homes that have been checked in person to make sure they hit certain marks for comfort, design, and amenities.

Launched in 2018, this program helps guests quickly find reliable, premium places without the headache of endless comparisons. The Plus badge means a property’s been vetted by third-party inspectors, covering everything from how clean it is to the furniture’s quality.

For hosts, making it into the Plus club can bump up their visibility and bookings, but it’s not a walk in the park—they have to meet strict standards and keep them up. Understanding what makes Airbnb Plus different helps both travelers and hosts figure out if it’s really worth it for them.

This guide will break down how the program works, what it takes to become a Plus host, and whether the extra cost actually adds up to better value for guests.

Defining Airbnb Plus and Its Core Features

Airbnb Plus is the platform’s premium tier, spotlighting homes that nail strict design and comfort standards. The big thing here is mandatory inspections, better amenities, and extra guest support.

Origins and Purpose of Airbnb Plus

Airbnb rolled out the Plus program in response to guests wanting more consistency in short-term rentals. They took cues from their best hosts and standout properties to shape it.

The main idea? Cut down on the uncertainty that comes with booking a place you’ve never seen. By creating a vetted collection, Airbnb aims to save guests time and help them avoid rookie hosts.

Hosts have to apply—there’s no automatic invite. Each place gets an expert inspection, checking off more than 100 criteria for interior design, cleanliness, and comfort. That’s how Airbnb Plus homes end up with that “Pinterest-worthy” vibe they like to brag about.

How Airbnb Plus Differs from Regular Listings

Regular listings are all over the map in terms of quality and style. Plus homes, on the other hand, have to pass a verification process before they’re allowed in.

Standard Features in Plus Listings:

• In-person inspections before approval
• Premium customer support for quick fixes
• Upgraded amenities like luxury bedding and toiletries
• Detailed guidebooks for the property
• Electronic check-in (no awkward key handoffs)
• Curated, intentional interior design

Plus homes usually cost more, but they’re still competitive for the level of quality. Guests also get access to a dedicated customer service team that’s supposed to be faster than the regular channels.

It’s worth noting, Plus is only in select cities—London, Barcelona, LA, Cape Town, Melbourne, and a few others. So you won’t find it everywhere.

The Airbnb Plus Badge and Branding

The Plus badge is a visual cue that sets these homes apart in search results. You’ll see it right on the listing page, making it pretty obvious the place has passed some serious checks.

Homes with the badge have cleared a big checklist for design, cleanliness, and amenities. It’s sort of a trust signal—like, “Hey, this host actually cares.”

Airbnb even tweaked its listing page design to spotlight Plus homes. The branding makes it easier to filter for special occasions, like honeymoons or family trips, when you really want peace of mind.

Airbnb Plus Standards and Inspection Process

To get into Airbnb Plus, homes have to pass a deep dive inspection—over 100 points, actually. There’s both a physical walk-through and pro photography to make sure everything’s up to scratch.

Home Quality and Amenity Requirements

Every Plus home needs to cover the basics, but with a premium twist. Bedrooms have to have quality mattresses, nice linens, at least two pillows per guest, nightstands and lamps on both sides, blackout curtains, and enough closet space.

Bathrooms? No mold, no grime, and definitely no broken tiles. Fresh towels, shampoo, conditioner, a hairdryer, and mirrors are all must-haves. Kitchens need working appliances (fridge, microwave, oven or stove), cookware, utensils, cleaning supplies, and a coffee maker. Dishwasher’s a plus, too.

Living spaces should seat everyone comfortably, have a real dining table, and be well-lit. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, a first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher are non-negotiable. Fast Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and plenty of charging spots are also required.

Design and Style Criteria

Airbnb Plus homes have to look good, not just function well. The program checks for stylish décor, coordinated furniture, and a vibe that feels intentional—no mismatched leftovers here.

Rooms should be welcoming, not barren. There’s a focus on dust-free surfaces and no obvious signs of wear or damage. It’s about making guests feel at home, not like they’re crashing at a friend’s place in college.

In-Person Inspections and Photography

Airbnb sends someone out for an in-person inspection or sometimes a virtual tour. The inspector uses that monster checklist to rate everything.

If the place passes, Airbnb arranges a professional photo shoot. That’s rolled into a one-time fee, usually between £120 and £400 depending on where you are. The pro photos help Plus homes pop in search results and draw in guests looking for something legit.

Didn’t pass on the first try? Hosts get feedback on what to fix before they can join the program.

Becoming an Airbnb Plus Host

Hosts have to meet certain performance standards and pass a detailed inspection to get into Airbnb Plus. Once they’re in, they get special recognition but have to keep up the quality to stay there.

Eligibility and Application Process

First, you need to offer either a whole home or a private room with its own bathroom. You also need at least one completed stay and an average rating of 4.8 stars or better.

Airbnb wants hosts to accept at least 95% of booking requests, and last-minute cancellations are a no-go. The property has to be in a city where Plus is available—think London, New York, Toronto, Melbourne, Sydney, and a few others.

If you tick those boxes, you can apply on Airbnb’s website. Sometimes Airbnb reaches out to hosts directly, but not always. An inspector will visit to check the place against a 100-point list covering design, comfort, and hospitality.

Host Obligations and Ongoing Requirements

Plus hosts have to keep up the standards that got them in. Inspectors look for well-designed, personality-driven spaces, fully equipped kitchens, and bathrooms with all the essentials. The home needs to be clean, uncluttered, and consistent in style.

Easy self-check-in and entertainment options like Netflix or cable are part of the deal. Standards can shift, and Airbnb will let hosts know when they do—hosts are expected to keep up. Fall behind, and you could lose the Plus badge.

The program’s voluntary, so hosts can leave anytime. If they do, they lose the badge and perks but keep their listing, reviews, and reservations.

Airbnb Plus for Travellers

For travelers, Airbnb Plus means access to homes that have actually been checked for comfort and style. These listings come with premium features and support that set them apart from the usual Airbnb fare.

Benefits of Booking Airbnb Plus Properties

Every Plus home gets an in-person inspection before it’s listed. That means you can actually trust the place will be clean, comfy, and look like the photos.

Guests get access to a better support team, which usually means faster help if something goes sideways. The program also saves time when searching—you can filter for Plus listings and skip the endless reviews.

Most Plus hosts are experienced, with high ratings and fast response times. They know what they’re doing and generally deliver a solid experience.

Booking Process and Guest Experience

Booking a Plus property is just like booking any other Airbnb. Search your destination, apply the Plus filter, and browse what’s available. Prices are generally higher than standard listings, but you’re paying for peace of mind and nicer amenities.

Each listing comes with detailed photos and descriptions. The Plus badge gives you some confidence that what you see is what you’ll get.

Quality is more consistent across Plus homes. Thanks to the standardized inspection, you know more or less what to expect, no matter where you’re booking.

Hotel-Like Features and Amenities

Plus properties sort of blur the line between hotels and short-term rentals. You get essentials like good linens, fast Wi-Fi, and a real kitchen.

Common features include:

• Premium furnishings with a designer’s touch
• High-quality bedding and plenty of towels
• Fully stocked kitchens with actual appliances
• Reliable heating and cooling
• Clean, well-kept spaces throughout

There’s usually more room and privacy than a hotel, but you still get hotel-level standards. Whether you’re on a family vacation or a couples’ getaway, these homes are designed to feel a notch above the rest.

Advantages of Airbnb Plus for Hosts

For hosts, Airbnb Plus can be a game-changer. The main perks? Better search placement, the chance to charge more, and access to dedicated Airbnb resources.

Increased Visibility and Occupancy Rates

Plus hosts get a boost in search rankings, which leads to more bookings. Listings with the Airbnb Plus badge show up higher and are easier to filter for, attracting guests who want quality and are willing to pay for it.

The verified status builds trust fast. Guests see that badge and know the place has passed a tough inspection. That usually means more bookings and fewer empty nights.

Plus listings get premium placement all over the platform, so more people see them. More eyeballs typically means more bookings—it’s as simple as that.

Potential for Higher Nightly Rates

With Plus status, hosts can charge more per night because their properties meet higher standards. Guests booking Plus are usually less price-sensitive—they want quality and are willing to pay for it.

This lets hosts bump up their nightly rates compared to similar standard listings nearby. The combo of higher prices and better visibility can mean a nice jump in earnings for Plus hosts.

Professional Support and Marketing

Plus hosts get access to special support channels—faster help for both them and their guests. There’s also better marketing tools, like unlimited listing descriptions (no character limits) and a more detailed list of features and amenities to showcase what makes the property special.

Airbnb itself promotes Plus listings, giving hosts free advertising to travelers who want that extra level of assurance. It’s a nice bonus that can help fill up the calendar.

Comparison with Airbnb Superhost and Regular Properties

Airbnb Plus sits in its own lane, different from the Superhost program and regular listings. Knowing how these options stack up helps guests book smarter and lets hosts decide which route fits their rental goals best.

Airbnb Plus vs. Superhost: Key Distinctions

Airbnb Plus and Superhost are two different recognition systems on the platform. Airbnb Plus is a listing classification that focuses on the property itself, while Superhost is a host classification that rewards great hospitality.

To get the Airbnb Plus badge, a property needs an in-person inspection by an Airbnb employee. They check if the home meets set design and quality standards.

The home must have certain amenities, like a proper kitchen and solid Wi-Fi. Regular listings never go through this kind of professional check.

Superhost status is about the host’s performance—things like response rates, booking completion, and guest reviews. A host can be a Superhost across several properties, even if none are Airbnb Plus.

Meanwhile, an Airbnb Plus home might belong to someone who isn’t a Superhost. The two recognitions are totally separate.

It’s possible for a host to be both Airbnb Plus and Superhost at once, which is a pretty strong combo. Still, each program has its own requirements and perks—they don’t overlap.

Airbnb Plus vs. Standard Listings

Standard Airbnb listings and Airbnb Plus homes aren’t quite the same. The main difference? Verification and quality control.

Regular properties use guest reviews and host photos to show off their quality. Every Airbnb Plus home, though, is professionally inspected before it goes live.

Key differences include:

• Verification process: Plus properties get in-person inspections; standard listings don’t
• Photography: Plus homes get professional photos from Airbnb; regular hosts handle their own
• Pricing: Plus homes usually cost more because of higher standards
• Amenities: Plus homes must offer features like self check-in; standard listings are a mixed bag

Standard listings give you more variety and can be better for travelers on a budget. Sometimes a unique, well-reviewed regular home is a better pick than a generic Plus place—especially if the host pays attention to detail in their reviews.

The Plus program started in 2018 to give travelers a more reliable benchmark. Still, plenty of experienced hosts keep up high standards without joining it.

Impact of Airbnb Plus on the Wider Market

The Airbnb Plus program created a sort of tiered marketplace. Guests could filter for places with verified quality, which helped newbies who weren’t sure how to read between the lines on reviews.

This system reduced the risk of a disappointing stay. For hosts, Plus status helped justify higher prices and pulled in guests willing to pay for peace of mind.

Homes with the Plus badge usually got more bookings, thanks to better search visibility and the trust that comes with verification. But it wasn’t open to everyone.

The program was invite-only. Hosts needed a 4.8-star rating or better, and no cancellations for a year straight.

That kept Plus properties rare, so they stayed a bit exclusive. The rest of the marketplace kept serving travelers with different needs and budgets.

Value and Criticisms of Airbnb Plus

Airbnb Plus had some clear upsides for guests who wanted extra assurance. But it also ran into problems for both hosts and the platform itself.

The program ended in November 2023 after years of struggling to scale and keep things consistent.

Is Airbnb Plus Worth It for Guests and Hosts?

For guests, Plus properties offered peace of mind. In-person inspections meant these homes hit strict marks for design, cleanliness, and amenities.

The Plus badge was a trust signal, especially since you can’t see a place in person before booking.

For hosts, the value was a bit messier. Sure, certified properties got more eyeballs and could ask higher prices, but there were catches.

• In-person inspections
• Strict ongoing standards
• Extra fees
• A long checklist to meet

Many experienced hosts turned down invitations. Why? Guests came in with sky-high expectations, and if anything was off, the feedback was often harsher than for standard listings.

Plus, balancing the costs and potential revenue boost wasn’t always easy for short-term rental owners.

Challenges, Limitations, and Recent Changes

Cornell University research showed Airbnb Plus actually hurt non-certified hosts. In Los Angeles, Plus listings made up just over 3% of supply, but their “verified” badge made other places seem riskier—even if the quality was just as good.

Some guests even left Airbnb rather than book a non-certified place, especially in cities with plenty of hotels. Hosts with strong reviews took less of a hit, since guest feedback still helped signal quality.

Airbnb quietly wound down the program before officially ending it in November 2023. The inspection-heavy approach was tough to scale worldwide, and the costs started to outweigh the benefits—especially when only a few hosts really saw big gains.

Conclusion

Airbnb Plus was a verified tier of accommodation. Homes in the program had to pass third-party inspections for comfort, design, and amenities.

This gave guests extra confidence when booking—someone from Airbnb had actually checked the place out.

If you’re a property owner looking to level up your rental business or a guest wanting something a bit more premium, JF Property Partners can help. They know the ins and outs of Airbnb Plus and other short-term rental strategies.

Reach them at info@jfpropertypartners.com, call +44 7457 427143, or check out https://jfpropertypartners.com/ for more info on property investment.

Whether you’re thinking about applying for Plus status (well, back when it existed) or just want better stays, understanding these programs helps you make smarter decisions. Airbnb keeps changing, so staying up to date is worth it for both hosts and guests.

For more about property management, swing by the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

People have a lot of questions about Airbnb Plus—what happened, what made it different, and how it worked. The program changed a lot, so it’s fair to wonder what actually went on with these verified listings.

Does the programme still exist, or has it been discontinued?

Nope, Airbnb Plus is gone. The company replaced it with something called Guest Favourites.

Guest Favourites now highlights top properties based on guest ratings and reviews, not in-person inspections. The system checks listings automatically every day using tons of booking data.

What are the main criteria a home must meet to be included?

The original Plus program needed homes to pass an in-person inspection by a third party. They had to meet tough standards for quality, design, and comfort.

Homes needed solid amenities and good furnishings. Inspectors checked everything before giving out the Plus badge.

Hosts also had to show great hospitality and communication. The focus was on verified quality—not just good reviews.

How does it differ from other tiers such as Luxe or Beyond?

Airbnb Plus was a middle option between standard listings and luxury properties. It was about quality and consistency, not over-the-top luxury.

Luxe is the top tier, with incredible homes and dedicated trip designers. Luxe places usually come with premium services that Plus didn’t offer.

Plus homes aimed for reliable comfort and quality without the high prices of Luxe. The idea was to give travelers vetted options without breaking the bank.

What happened to the scheme, and why was it changed?

Airbnb shut down Plus and rolled out Guest Favourites. The company moved away from manual inspections and toward data-driven evaluation.

Now, Guest Favourites uses ratings, reviews, and reliability data to spotlight the best places. No more expensive in-person checks, but still a way to find quality homes.

The platform figured guest feedback and booking numbers were a better, more scalable way to spot the best listings. It opens up recognition to more properties based on real guest experiences.

How much does it cost for a host to join, and are there any ongoing fees?

With Airbnb Plus, hosts had to apply and pass an inspection, but there wasn’t a separate fee to join the program itself.

Hosts still paid the usual Airbnb service fees on bookings. There weren’t extra ongoing costs, just the need to keep up with the standards.

With Guest Favourites, you don’t apply or pay anything extra. Properties qualify automatically if they hit the right marks with guests.

What benefits do guests and hosts typically get from this designation?

Guests booking Plus properties could reach premium customer support. That meant faster help if anything went sideways—pretty reassuring, honestly.

The verified status also saved time when browsing. It just gave people more confidence in what they were booking.

Plus homes popped up with a special badge in search results. That little icon made them stand out, which sometimes led to more bookings.

Higher nightly rates? Yeah, often possible, thanks to that extra visibility.

Hosts got a credibility boost from the Plus badge. Enhanced listing visibility didn’t hurt either.

The designation told guests the place had met certain standards. That helped draw in travelers willing to pay a bit more for peace of mind.

Plus properties even showed up in filtered searches for things like honeymoons or family trips. That kind of targeted exposure connected hosts with guests looking for something special.