Luxury listings on Airbnb are little theatres of desire. Behind each headline price sits a composition of narrative: a seaside bluff that once belonged to a shipowner, a castle with centuries of provenance, a villa packaged with a private chef and a butler. The summer being over, Airbnb’s high-season theatre does not fall silent; it reshapes into a year-round industry where private homes, yachts, and castles are painstakingly staged and sold as bespoke experiences. What began as spare-room sharing has matured into hotel-grade operations – staffed villas, packaged services and a currency of social signalling, even as cities confront mounting pressure on housing and neighbourhood life.
For this study, the team at TradingPlatforms cast a global net: we selected 86 countries with the greatest number of inbound arrivals and identified the single most expensive Airbnb listing available in each for January 2026. To ensure accuracy, we manually collected and verified every price, including taxes and fees, while excluding listings we considered unrealistic or inauthentic. From there, we assembled both a worldwide ranking and continental leaderboards to show which regions command the steepest nightly rates. For every property we recorded type, total cost, bedroom and bathroom counts, guest capacity, reviews, and premium amenities, creating a like-for-like comparison of the world’s costliest stays.
Key takeaways
- The Lake Garda View Resort in Italy takes the crown at $60,584 per night. With 36 bedrooms and 44 bathrooms, it’s closer to a private hotel than a typical Airbnb.
- Europe accounts for 4 of the top 10 priciest Airbnbs, though only one is in the top five; the others are spread across North America, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
- Not all top-tier Airbnbs are massive or castle-like; smaller yet exceptionally designed villas or luxury condos can command tens of thousands per night, showing that exclusivity and premium features often outweigh size.
The Most Expensive Airbnb from Every Country (price per night in USD)
Data source: airbnb.com
The World’s Most Luxurious Stays: 20 Airbnb Listings You’ll Need a Fortune to Book
Step into the world of the top 20 most expensive Airbnbs, and the first thing that jumps out is how price and size don’t always go hand in hand. The Lake Garda View Resort in Italy tops the list at $60,584 per night with 36 bedrooms and 44 bathrooms, essentially a private hotel. Yet smaller properties, like Dubai’s 7-bedroom villa at $30,021 per night, command comparable sums. Clearly, exclusivity, location, and bespoke services matter more than square footage.
Geography adds another twist. Europe accounts for seven of the top 20, but only Italy ranks in the top five. Asia (United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia), North America (Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, USA), Africa (Morocco, Egypt), South America (Chile), and Oceania (Australia) fill out the rest. A castle in Ireland ($22,275/night), a jungle-view villa in Thailand ($28,630), and a Nile cruise yacht in Egypt ($14,500) illustrate a single point: ultra-luxury is truly global, and the type of property matters less than the experience it offers.
Property type itself tells a story. Castles, villas, chalets, yachts, and modern condos all appear in the top 20, with bedrooms ranging from 4 to 36 and bathrooms from 5 to 44. The takeaway? In this market, curated experiences, privacy, and design sophistication outweigh scale, location, or conventional ideas of luxury, shaping a blueprint of what the world’s elite are willing to pay for in 2026.
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Luxury Lake Garda View Resort in Gardone Riviera, Italy
Italy’s Lake Garda View Resort is not just an Airbnb: it’s a self-contained world of modernist villas, panoramic terraces, and designer architecture by names like Richard Meier and David Chipperfield. Spread across five independent villas and a private hotel, it can host up to 84 overnight guests and more than 150 event participants: weddings, retreats, even film productions. At $60,584 per night, this property is as much about logistics as it is about luxury – wine coolers and Peloton bikes sit alongside concierge staff, garages with space for 26 cars, and entire suites designed for production crews or event teams. If most Airbnbs trade on intimacy, Lake Garda redefines the category entirely, turning short-term rental into something closer to a luxury campus.
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Casa Tau: A Luxury Villa in Punta de Mita, Mexico
If Lake Garda is about scale and spectacle, Mexico’s Casa Tau in Punta Mita thrives on intimacy with the landscape. At $32,058 per night, it is less than half the cost of Italy’s resort, yet its luxury feels no less commanding. With 12 en-suite bedrooms spread across five buildings, the villa is designed like a private village: open-air palapas, thatched roofs, earth tones, and sea-facing terraces where groups of 20-plus can dissolve into the rhythm of waves. The amenities lean into leisure: stone pizza ovens, billiards, beachfront golf, and pools that spill into the sand. While Garda sells exclusivity by hosting 150-guest events, Casa Tau sells it by slowing time, offering a retreat where corporate teams or families can feel like they own their own slice of the Pacific.
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7-Bedroom Ultra-Luxury Villa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai’s 7-bedroom villa ($30,021 per night) redefines exclusivity through meticulous design and brand-name opulence. Step inside, and every detail, from Fendi sofas to Versace and Bentley Home accents, signals curated luxury. Two private pools (one infinity, one indoor), a royal-inspired Diwan, and a fully equipped entertainment lounge elevate it from a simple stay to an immersive experience. Automated smart systems, spa-like bathrooms, and landscaped gardens ensure both comfort and privacy. Unlike sprawling resorts or beachfront estates, this villa compresses extravagance into a highly personalised, boutique scale, offering a sanctuary for a discerning few.
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Country House in La Romana, Dominican Republic
Villa Cahey in La Romana showcases Caribbean luxury for 24 guests, with 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and a private beach. Its extravagance lies in service: a chef, butler, bartender, and full staff, plus access to Casa de Campo’s golf, beach club, and sports facilities. At $29,235 per night, it proves that location and lifestyle can rival architectural grandeur in defining opulence. This villa emphasises immersive experiences, from water sports to equestrian adventures, making it a full-service paradise rather than just a place to stay.
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Villa Riviera Serenity in Mae Nam, Thailand
On Koh Samui, this 5-bedroom villa in Mae Nam trades the grandeur of Lake Garda and Punta Mita for intimate tropical luxury. With jungle-framed views and a private pool just a 10-minute stroll from Bang Por Beach, it balances seclusion and accessibility. Each bedroom has its own bath, and four are air-conditioned, while terraces and the open-plan kitchen create spaces for group gatherings. At $28,630 per night, the villa shows how privacy, natural beauty, and thoughtful layout can define high-end vacation living, contrasting with the staff-driven extravagance of Caribbean estates.
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Villa Mirasol in Mali Lošinj, Croatia
On Croatia’s sun-dappled island of Lošinj, Villa Mirasol blends Art Nouveau elegance with Adriatic charm. Hosting up to sixteen guests across five bedrooms in the main house and a three-bedroom apartment, it offers private terraces, a pool, jacuzzi, and even a home cinema. Guests enjoy a personal butler, daily breakfast, and access to nearby Michelin-starred dining and spa facilities. With panoramic views over Čikat Bay, lush gardens, and cycling paths leading through fragrant pine forests, the villa balances immersive natural beauty with refined luxury, another European retreat where design and privacy define the experience.
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Luttrellstown Castle in Dublin, Ireland
Perched on 567 acres just outside Dublin, Luttrellstown Castle Resort transforms history into a private luxury escape. Its 15th-century castle hosts 20 individually designed bedrooms, blending Baroque and Georgian elegance with modern comforts like marble baths and four-poster beds. Guests can also retreat to the refurbished Gardener’s Cottage, overlooking the Walled Garden, offering five double rooms and panoramic views. With an 18-hole championship golf course on the grounds, this Irish estate marries centuries of heritage with discreet indulgence, letting visitors live like nobility while staying steps from one of Europe’s liveliest capitals.
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Fantasia Villas with private VIP chef included in Katastari, Greece
Along the quiet coastline of Katastari, Greece, the Imperial Spa Villa offers a private beach escape with 2,000square metres of living space, three heated pools, and direct access to a secluded stretch of sand. Surrounded by tropical gardens and overlooking Kefalonia, the villa includes a VIP chef to handle meals. It’s a retreat designed for privacy, comfort, and relaxed indulgence rather than showy extravagance.
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Middle Cay, an Island in North Eleuthera, Bahamas
Middle Cay in the Bahamas is a private 2-acre island with coconut groves, two docks, and direct access to clear waters. The property, split between two open-plan villas, accommodates 11 guests and suits families or small groups. Days can be spent on the beach, by the pool, or at the barbecue, while evenings offer stargazing from the hot tub or around the campfire. A boat captain is included for trips to nearby surf spots, coves, or Dunmore Town, providing a balance of seclusion and easy access to the surroundings.
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Villa TOMAzo in Marrakesh, Morocco
Set in a tranquil palm grove just 15 minutes from Marrakesh’s city center, this guesthouse offers a quiet retreat within easy reach of the city. With ten bedrooms and ten bathrooms, it accommodates larger groups while maintaining a sense of privacy. The villa is available for stays of three nights or more, blending restful seclusion with access to local markets, gardens, and cultural sites, a compact, city-adjacent alternative to sprawling estates or island getaways.
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Award-Winning Chalet in Kutchan, Japan with Private Butler
Nestled in Niseko’s Hanaridge Estate, this award-winning chalet offers alpine luxury framed by Mount Yotei. Five bedrooms, a private natural onsen, and spacious living areas combine modern design by Riccardo Tossani with traditional Japanese tranquility. Guests can access ski resorts, restaurants, and a golf course just minutes away, while on-site amenities, including a gym, yoga studio, and seasonal driver service, blend convenience with comfort. Tsubasa Chalet provides an intimate, service-driven retreat that contrasts the sprawling Mediterranean and Caribbean villas elsewhere on the list.
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Nefertem Yacht in El Baeirat, Egypt
Floating between Luxor and Aswan, the Nefertem offers an intimate Nile experience with eight suites, each opening onto private terraces with sweeping river views. Interiors combine modern comfort, king beds, double-vanity bathrooms, and high-speed Wi-Fi, with an elegant design that lets natural light fill the space. Onboard dining, lounges, and expansive decks provide communal areas while a 24/7 concierge ensures a seamless journey. The Nefertem compresses luxury into a floating retreat, offering a rare, mobile contrast to stationary villas and estates elsewhere on the list.
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Entire cottage in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Set on 50 hectares of desert just outside San Pedro de Atacama, this six-bedroom cottage combines ecological design with intimate luxury. Rooms surround a central courtyard shaded by an ancient Chañar tree, featuring heated pools, plunge pools, and outdoor lounges. Adobe walls, cross-ventilation, and straw-insulated ceilings regulate temperature naturally, while gardens, jacuzzis, and massage areas blend seamlessly into the desert landscape. The property offers a contemplative, eco-conscious counterpoint to the larger, staff-driven villas and floating retreats elsewhere on the list.
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La Gemme Estate in Bowral, Australia
About 90 minutes from Sydney, this French-inspired château spans 100 private acres in the Southern Highlands. The main residence, guest wing, and courtyard suite together host up to 22 guests across multiple bedrooms and living areas. Interiors blend European antiques with Tuscan warmth, while grounds include a koi-filled lake, plane-lined avenues, and recreational amenities such as a gym, sauna, tennis court, and heated pool. La Gemme offers a structured, design-focused retreat, contrasting with more rustic or destination-driven escapes elsewhere on the list.
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Chalet Lilly-Family in Lech, Austria
Chalet Lilly sits in the heart of the Austrian Alps, offering a spacious retreat for up to 11 guests. Four bedrooms and open living areas create a warm, communal atmosphere, while nearby slopes and hiking trails provide seasonal adventure. With a focus on family-friendly functionality and scenic mountain views, the chalet delivers an intimate, activity-centred alternative to the larger villas and estates elsewhere on the list.
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Soori Estate in Kerambitan, Indonesia
Kerambitan Villa stretches along Bali’s southwest coast, where ten ultra-modern bedrooms open onto uninterrupted ocean views. Stone-tiled infinity pools and landscaped interior gardens offer spaces for both reflection and leisure, while natural wood and stone accentuate furnishings by Flexform and B&B Italia. Designed for both family retreats and small events, the estate balances private luxury with shared experiences, creating a tranquil, artful escape in the heart of the island.
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Castle in Montecito, California, United States
High above Montecito, this private hilltop estate offers sweeping ocean views from every room. Designed for those who crave tranquillity and exclusivity, it boasts a wellness pavilion, resort-style pool, and pickleball court. Ideal for wellness retreats, romantic getaways, or special events, this luxurious retreat combines modern elegance with unmatched privacy. Every detail, from the expansive living spaces to the serene surroundings, is crafted for an elevated experience.
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Blyth Barn in Suffolk, United Kingdom
A luxurious, private lakeside barn, nestled in Suffolk’s Wilderness Reserve, just two hours from London. Perfect for weddings, celebrations, and special events, this estate offers 18 ensuite bedrooms, a fully equipped family kitchen, Irene Forte spa, and NORHD gym. The event space, with a sunken pool and 16-person hot tub, is designed for elegance and comfort. Fully catered for a five-star experience, this retreat offers total privacy in an extraordinary setting.
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Wedding Venue in Sežana, Slovenia
Château Asa is a stunning six-bedroom villa set in the serene beauty of Sežana’s Karst region. Ideal for unforgettable weddings and events, the estate features lush gardens, an elegant wine cellar, and a wellness room with sauna. It promises celebrations amidst the charm of 18th-century architecture and it also offers a lavish reception with locally sourced delicacies. With luxurious amenities and a tranquil atmosphere, this villa offers privacy and romance in one perfect package.
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Qambani Luxury Resort in Michamvi, Tanzania
Qambani Luxury Resort offers seven individually styled villas, each with unique features like private sea-view verandahs, outdoor showers, and spacious layouts tailored for both couples and families. The villas are designed to provide ultimate comfort and privacy at a price of $35,083 per night. The entire resort can accommodate up to 16 guests for exclusive use, perfect for celebrations or special events. With its stunning ocean views and personalized service, Qambani offers a luxurious escape unlike any other.
Luxury Across the Globe: The Priciest Airbnb Stays by Continent
Europe leads the global luxury Airbnb market, with Lake Garda View Resort in Italy leading at $60,584 per night. European estates tend to combine timeless elegance with modern amenities, attracting high-end travellers seeking both history and luxury. North America follows with the Luxury Villa in Punta de Mita, Mexico ($32,058/night), offering a more contemporary, tropical experience focused on privacy and coastal beauty. Asia also offers extravagant stays, such as Dubai’s Ultra-Luxury Villa at $30,021 per night, which emphasises modernity and cutting-edge design, while Africa’s Villa TOMAzo in Morocco ($17,478/night) combines cultural richness with luxury.
South America and Australia round out the list, with the Luxury Cottage in Chile’s Atacama Desert priced at $14,033 per night, offering a serene, nature-focused escape, and La Gemme Estate in Bowral, Australia, at $13,455 a night, showcasing a more understated, country-style luxury. While Europe leads in price, each continent offers unique luxury experiences, from the historical opulence of Europe to the modern, isolated retreats of North America and Dubai.
Methodology
For this report, our team at Tradingplatforms conducted a detailed analysis of Airbnb.com, manually gathering data on the most expensive listings in each of the 86 most-visited countries worldwide, according to the latest figures by the United Nations, the World Bank, and WP Tourism. From this, we compiled a list of the top 20 highest-priced vacation rentals, ranked according to the total cost for a 1-night stay in January 2026, including taxes, fees, and any applicable discounts. To ensure the integrity of our findings, we excluded hotel rooms, listings with inflated prices, and properties with few images or limited availability.
We also extracted important information for each listing, such as property type, total cost (with taxes and fees), number of bedrooms and bathrooms, maximum guest capacity, and premium amenities. All data was collected between August 28 and September 3, 2025, and was accurate at the time of writing. However, rental prices are subject to change on a daily basis and may vary over time.