Luxury Retreats, now owned by AirBnB, has made an aggressive investment in luxury homes and resorts. It has positioned itself, as one of the premier destinations on the North American travel scene. Luxury retreats offer a wide range of benefits that travel agencies will find appealing. These benefits include but are not limited to:
The acquisition of Luxury Retreats by AirBnB marks an important step forward in their expansion into the travel industry. Luxury properties are typically more difficult to book than conventional hotels. This includes ski chalets, self-catering accommodations, farmhouses, mansions and estates. Because of their special properties and location relative to the mountains and other natural sites of the region, luxury retreats often take longer to finalize and may be cancelled up to 30 days prior to arrival if a particular property is already booked. This is one of the reasons why luxury properties are often sold before a holiday season begins.
With their new ownership of Luxury Retreats through AirBnB and its association with top resorts in the Alps and in the Himalayas, they hope to change this by fully embracing the hospitality industry in attracting and retaining clients from all over the world who are drawn to the distinctive locations and luxurious experiences offered by luxury retreats. They will work hard to develop exciting and new destinations. They will also expand their current clientele, many of whom currently enjoy staying in luxury properties on a regular basis. In doing so, luxury retreats will be able to maintain a consistent level of exclusivity while also expanding their target market beyond the traditional travel agency target demographic.
The acquisition of these retreats follows several years of steady growth in the overall Luxury Retreats business. In addition to a strong pipeline of satisfied customers, AirBnB has made smart choices in selecting luxury properties to purchase. These choices have resulted in some remarkable developments, including the acquisition of two world-class ski chalets in Whistler, Canada; two self-contained luxury lodges in Billabong, Thailand; and three vacation rental options in New Zealand’s South Island. In total, Luxury Retreats now has over 200 million vacation rentals in over 90 countries worldwide.
AirBnB’s acquisition of luxury retreats provides a solid foundation for the company’s continued expansion into new markets. As well, the acquisition of these properties gives them access to a diverse number of vacation rental properties, many of which they will be able to convert into other Luxury Retreats down the road. The acquisition of the Billabong and Whistler ski chalets by AirBnB brings to the company’s existing list of ski chalets locations in Canada, but also gives it access to one more popular and much smaller mountain destination, in what is considered a natural extension of their existing U.S. presence. This expansion also gives the company the chance to expand into additional destinations in the developing Asian market, like Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The purchase of these three high-end properties brings to the company access to some of the most sought-after winter vacation spots in North America, as well as the chance to introduce luxury retreats to even more countries around the world. In doing so, AirBnB becomes one of the few companies to own a majority stake in luxury properties located in high-end cities like San Francisco, New York City, and Paris, France. By doing so, they are extending their reach into markets previously thought to be out of reach. In addition to being able to provide luxurious and exclusive vacation rentals, AirBnB shares their time and expertise with owners of these top-name resorts, helping them design and create the perfect retreat experience for their guests.
Two of the high-end properties that will be launched this fall have their roots in and around the popular North American resort city of Montreaux. The first, a five-star luxury retreat in a historic landmark hotel, includes a spectacular view of the City of Montreaux as well as access to the private beach that is situated within the property’s walls. The second location, a luxury villa rental on the upscale outskirts of Montreaux, comes equipped with a spectacular view of the nearby town of Le Tour D’Azur. Both of these luxury retreats are prepared and designed to ensure guests have an unparalleled experience when spending time at their lovely accommodations. Both also come with exceptional views of the surrounding area and offer exceptional access to the luxury amenities that they are housed within.
AirBnB continues to expand its global footprint by adding exciting new business ventures in high-end cities around the globe such as Montreaux and Toronto. This latest move is designed to extend the company’s reach and attract even more visitors to luxury homes and luxury retreats located all over the world. AirBnB boasts the largest fleet of aircraft, most of which have been modified to provide comfortable and convenient pick up and drop off locations. The company is also expanding its credit card processing capabilities, so those who travel to these locations will no longer have to worry about carrying large amounts of cash or check cashing fees. When looking for luxury homes and other great amenities offered by AirBnB the selection is virtually limitless, making it easy for travelers to find just the right luxury retreats that they can retreat to for complete relaxation and peace of mind.
Wanda Rich has been the Editor-in-Chief of Global Banking & Finance Review since 2011, playing a pivotal role in shaping the publication’s content and direction. Under her leadership, the magazine has expanded its global reach and established itself as a trusted source of information and analysis across various financial sectors. She is known for conducting exclusive interviews with industry leaders and oversees the Global Banking & Finance Awards, which recognize innovation and leadership in finance. In addition to Global Banking & Finance Review, Wanda also serves as editor for numerous other platforms, including Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.