Airbnb has grown far beyond simple spare rooms, offering everything from budget-friendly shared spaces to luxury villas and long-term monthly rentals. Understanding what types of stays you can book on Airbnb helps you quickly find the right place for your trip, budget, and travel style.

Below is a clear breakdown of the main stay types on Airbnb, how they work, and when to choose each one.

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Main Airbnb stay types

Entire place

An “Entire place” means you have the whole space to yourself. You won’t share kitchens, bathrooms, or living areas with the host or other guests.

Typical examples:

• Apartments and condos
• Houses, bungalows, townhouses
• Villas and luxury homes
• Cabins and cottages
• Tiny homes and unique stand-alone units

Best for:

• Privacy and quiet
• Families or groups traveling together
• Romantic getaways
• Work trips where you need your own space

When searching, you can filter by Place type → Entire place to only see fully private stays.

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Private room

A “Private room” gives you your own bedroom in a home or apartment, while some areas are shared with others.

What’s typically private:

• Your bedroom (often with a lock)
• Sometimes an en-suite bathroom

What’s typically shared:

• Kitchen
• Living room or lounge
• Entryways, hallways, laundry
• Occasionally a shared bathroom

Best for:

• Solo travelers
• Students, interns, digital nomads on a budget
• Guests who like meeting locals or other travelers

Private rooms can range from simple, budget-friendly options to stylish, well-equipped bedrooms in luxury homes.

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Shared room

A “Shared room” is the most communal stay type. You share a bedroom or open sleeping area with other people.

Typical examples:

• Hostel-style dorm beds
• Bunk beds in a shared room
• Loft or studio spaces with multiple beds

Best for:

• Budget travelers and backpackers
• Social travelers who enjoy meeting others
• Short stays where you only need a bed to sleep

Shared rooms usually offer the lowest nightly price but the least privacy, so be sure to check photos and descriptions carefully.

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Popular property types you’ll see on Airbnb

Beyond basic place types, Airbnb listings are categorized by property style. These don’t change how you book, but they matter for comfort, location, and experience.

Apartments and condos

Common in cities and urban centers, apartments are self-contained units in a larger building.

Good to know:

• Often easier access to public transport, cafes, and attractions
• May include building amenities like gyms, pools, rooftops
• Check if there’s an elevator if you have mobility needs or heavy luggage

Best if you want a city-based, hotel alternative with a kitchen and living space.

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Houses and townhomes

Standalone houses or multi-level townhomes offer more space and often include private outdoor areas.

Typical features:

• Multiple bedrooms and bathrooms
• Gardens, patios, or backyards
• Driveways or private parking

Ideal for families, groups, and longer stays where space and comfort matter.

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Villas and luxury properties

High-end villas and luxury homes often include premium design, large outdoor spaces, and extras like pools or hot tubs.

You might find:

• Private pools, hot tubs, saunas
• High-end kitchens and decor
• Scenic locations (coastal, countryside, cliffside, etc.)

These stays are perfect for special occasions, retreats, and high-budget trips where the property itself is part of the experience.

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Cabins, cottages, and chalets

For nature getaways, Airbnb has plenty of rustic and cozy options.

Common types:

• Forest cabins
• Mountain chalets
• Lakeside cottages

Best for:

• Nature retreats and weekend escapes
• Ski trips and hiking holidays
• Guests who want a quiet, scenic environment

Check details on heating, road access, and internet if you’re visiting in remote or winter destinations.

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Tiny homes and compact stays

Tiny homes offer smartly designed, compact living spaces in unique settings.

What to expect:

• Very efficient use of space
• Often located in nature or on private land
• Minimalist living, sometimes with loft beds

Great for short stays and unique experiences, especially if you’re curious about tiny living.

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Unique and themed stays

Airbnb is known for unusual properties that turn your accommodation into a memorable part of the trip.

Examples you may see:

• Treehouses
• Yurts and tipis
• Barns and farm stays
• Boats and houseboats
• Domes, A-frames, and geodesic pods
• Converted buses, vans, and containers
• Castles, historic homes, or architectural landmarks

These are ideal when you want an experience, not just a place to sleep. Always read amenities closely—some unique stays have limited heating, electricity, or water.

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Stay types based on length of stay

Short stays (nightly or weekly)

Most stays on Airbnb can be booked night-by-night, with a minimum stay that the host sets (often 1–3 nights).

Common for:

• Weekend trips
• City breaks
• Business travel
• Events and festivals

Cleaning fees and nightly rates will determine whether shorter or slightly longer stays offer better value.

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Monthly stays and long-term rentals

Many hosts offer discounts for bookings of 28+ days, often called “monthly stays” or “long stays.”

Advantages:

• Significant monthly or weekly discounts
• More home-like amenities (kitchen, laundry, workspace)
• Suitable for remote workers, relocations, and extended travel

Important to check:

• Wi-Fi speed and reliability
• Workspace or desk setup
• Laundry facilities
• House rules for long stays (mail, guests, noise)

Some long-term stays may also have additional requirements or local regulations, so read the listing and booking terms carefully.

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Stays tailored to how you travel

Family-friendly stays

Many listings are designed with families in mind.

Look for:

• Multiple bedrooms and bathrooms
• Cribs, high chairs, and children’s tableware
• Fenced yards or safe outdoor play spaces
• Washing machines and fully equipped kitchens

You can filter by amenities like crib, bath, or high chair to find better family options.

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Pet-friendly stays

If you’re traveling with a dog or other pet, focus on pet-allowed listings.

Check for:

• “Pets allowed” in filters and listing details
• Fenced yards or outdoor space
• Extra pet fees or deposits in the house rules
• Restrictions (pet size, number of pets, areas off-limits)

Always message the host with details about your pet if you’re unsure.

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Business and remote-work stays

More guests now book Airbnb for work trips or remote work.

Helpful features:

• Reliable, fast Wi-Fi
• Dedicated workspace or desk
• Quiet neighborhood or soundproofing
• Comfortable seating for long hours

Look for terms like “laptop-friendly workspace”, “dedicated desk,” and check reviews for comments on internet speed and noise.

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Accessible stays

Some listings are better suited for guests with mobility or accessibility needs.

Possible features:

• Step-free entry
• Elevators in buildings
• Wide doorways
• Accessible bathrooms (grab bars, roll-in showers)
• Ground-floor units

Use accessibility filters and carefully review listing photos and descriptions. If you have specific needs, contact the host to confirm details.

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How to choose the right type of stay on Airbnb

When deciding what types of stays you can book on Airbnb and which is right for you, consider:

1. Privacy: Do you want an entire place, or are you comfortable sharing space?
2. Budget: Shared rooms and private rooms often cost less than entire places.
3. Location: City-center apartment vs. suburban house vs. remote cabin.
4. Purpose of your trip: Vacation, work, relocation, event, or long-term stay.
5. Amenities: Kitchen, Wi-Fi, parking, laundry, air conditioning, pool, etc.
6. Length of stay: Short city break or multi-month remote work stay.

Use Airbnb’s filters for place type, price, amenities, property type, and trip length to quickly narrow your options to the stay type that fits your needs.

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Key takeaway

You can book a wide range of stays on Airbnb: entire places for full privacy, private rooms and shared rooms for budget and social travel, and everything from apartments and houses to cabins, villas, tiny homes, and unique stays like treehouses or boats. On top of that, you’ll find options tailored to families, pet owners, remote workers, and long-term guests.

By combining place type, property style, amenities, and length of stay filters, you can match your search perfectly to the type of stay you want to book on Airbnb.