Airbnb's themed rentals near Long Island to book
Schoolie Airbnb on LI Sound in St. James Credit: Danielle Ragonese
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.
Unique Skoolie Escape, St. James
Schoolie Airbnb on Long Island Sound in St. James. Credit: Danielle Ragonese
AMENITIES Kitchen, full bath, kayak and hammock chair
HOW MANY CAN STAY Up to two adults and two children
THE DRAW 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.
COST $302 per night, weekends only
NEARBY Harmony Vineyards winery in St. James, Avalon Nature Preserve in Stony Brook, Stony Brook Village Center.
MORE INFO airbnb.com
Grand Timber, White Haven, Pennsylvania
Guests can climb the rock wall at this Airbnb. Credit: AvantStay and STR Cribs
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM LI About 3 ½ hours
AMENITIES Five bedrooms, 3.5 baths, game rooms, rock-climbing wall, golf driving range, pool, fire pitand hot tub
HOW MANY CAN STAY 16
THE DRAW 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
COST Starting at $1,737 per night for the entire house
NEARBY 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.
MORE INFO airbnb.com
The Pinball Palace, Brigantine, New Jersey
The Pinball Palace, a one-of-a-kind Pinball-themed Airbnb in Brigantine, NJ. Credit: George Bellace
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM LI About four hours.
AMENITIES Three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, kitchen, washer/dryer, pinball machines, arcade games, deck with bay view.
HOW MANY CAN STAY Nine
THE DRAW 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. Pacman . 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
COST Starts at $652 per night
NEARBY Brigantine Beach, The Brigantine Farmers Market (Saturdays, 8 a.m.-noon, Brigantine Community School parking lot, Sheridan Boulevard), Atlantic City boardwalk and casinos.
MORE INFO airbnb.com
Swift Suites at Evermore Estate, Absecon, New Jersey
The Swift Suite airbnb in Absecon, New Jersey. Credit: George Bellace
DRIVING TIME FROM LI About 3 ½ hours.
AMENITIES 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.
HOW MANY CAN STAY Eight
Take photos with a Taylor Swift life-size cutout. Credit: George Bellace
THE DRAW 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.
COST Starts at $350 per night
NEARBY Atlantic City Boardwalk and Casinos, Historic Smithville village shoppes and restaurants, paddle boats on Lake Meone.
MORE INFO airbnb.com
Mariaville Goat Farm Yurt, Pattersonville, New York
Spend a relaxing night or weekend at the Goat Farm yurt. Credit: Mariaville Goat Farm
DRIVING TIME FROM LI 3 ½ hours.
AMENITIES Murphy bed, two cots, tree house, outdoor yoga studio, nature trails, hammock, country breakfast included.
HOW MANY CAN STAY Four
Feed the goats and sleep under the stars. Credit: Mariaville Goat Farm
THE DRAW 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
