Airbnb announces OMG! Fund Recipients

Key Takeaways

• Recipients from 20 countries have been chosen to bring their ideas to life with $100,000.
• Creations will be guest-ready by summer 2023, and will be a part of Airbnb's OMG! Category.

From tens of thousands of entries from around the world, 100 aspiring designers, architects, DIYers and makers hailing from more than 20 countries/regions have been chosen to bring their crazy space ideas to life as part of the $10,000,000 OMG! Fund.

The winning ideas stood out for their unique and inspiring design, sustainable consideration, and novel ways of offering immersive guest experiences. Recipients will each receive up to $100,000 USD to make their fantastical creations possible, and over the course of the next ten months, will design, construct and outfit their spaces to be guest-ready by summer 2023 – when you may find them available as part of Airbnb’s OMG! Category.

Selected by the OMG! Fund judging panel, including design and style icon Iris Apfel, architectural expert Koichi Takada, Airbnb Superhost Kristie Wolfe, and Airbnb VP of Experiential Bruce Vaughn, these elaborate ideas are expected to make the OMG! Category of homes 100 times more extraordinary once they’re made bookable on the platform.

“What an incredible journey it has been to be a part of the OMG! Fund judging process. There were so many inspiring stories and destinations that I had never heard of before that I’m now eager to visit,” said Kristie Wolfe. “As a builder myself, I can’t wait to watch these ideas come to life. These are more than just places to spend the night – each one offers an entire experience!”

The OMG! Fund recipients have an opportunity to experience the powerful economic benefits of hosting on Airbnb – and many are already familiar, as over 50 percent are already Hosts. In 2021, the typical Host in the US earned over $13,800, an increase of 85 percent over 2019. Additionally, nights booked at unique properties increased globally by over 49 percent from 2019 to 2021. OMG! Fund judging panelist Kristie Wolfe experienced this firsthand when she invested $32,000 to create her unique listing, the Big Idaho Potato Hotel, and saw $208,000** in earnings in less than three years.

The tens of thousands of entries drew inspiration from the depths of the sea to sci-fi novels, but certain natural elements and architectural features proved popular:

• 400 ideas offered spectacular stargazing experiences
• 961 ideas marched to the beat of their own drum, incorporating music in some way
• 777 juicy designs were inspired by fruit
• 680 ideas were wine-inspired
• 7,931 entrants proposed using solar panels for sustainable energy
• High in the sky, 1,214 ideas involved treehouses and 389 featured suspended structures
• 509 mushroom-inspired listings were ready to sprout from the earth

From a lighthouse in Sweden accessible only by boat, to an adobe fossilized dinosaur skull in the desert, the winning 100 expand the idea of what an Airbnb stay can be, and are fueled by the entrants’ passions. “The inspiration came from the works of many science fiction movies,” said OMG! Fund recipient Pablo C. from Mexico. “The idea was to do something out of the ordinary, never seen before, something rare and beautiful that would impress any human being. The result is an organic form spaceship – a six-meter high pillar, embraced at 360 degrees by trees.”

Others drew on local wildlife and tradition, like OMG! Fund recipient Ignacio R. from Chile, who stated his Floating Avocado House idea “is all about the connection with nature. I have spent most of my life on our family farm – the happiest memories of my childhood come from there. It has something so special that just resonates with me. That’s why I have this dream, this calling, of sharing it with more people.”

Some also expressed devotion to the environment as their main drive to creating something unique. “We want to remind guests of our connection and responsibility to the natural world,” said OMG! Fund recipient Kimberly S. from the US on her Giant Tire-Shaped House idea. “The structure will be fashioned by repurposing 1,000 old junkyard tires and other recycled materials. The effect will be a stunning, unique and unforgettable experience—a creative environmental solution to a deflating tire problem!”

Here is the full list of the 100 OMG! Fund recipients:

23m Tower with 360 Degree, 40 Mile Views
Matthew G., United Kingdom

A-Frame on Top of a Norman House Surrounded by Nature
Anne T., France

Acorn Library With Treehouse Outdoor Acorn Bath
Peter C., United Kingdom

Adobe Fossilized Dinosaur Skull in Desert
Haylee M., United States

Ancestral Lava Cave in a Volcano
Fernando B., Chile

Atomic Oasis in the Chihuahuan Desert
Cari B., United States

Bauhaus Bao House in the LA Mountains
Rei W., United States

Big Foot’s Cabin: Big Everything, Big Fun
Alexis D., United States

Board Game Haven in Huge Stacked Dice
Olivia S., United States

Building That Blossoms Like a Flower
Pol G., Ireland

Bunch of Bedrooms in the Shape of Himalayan Fruit
Arun M., India

Bush Plane in Alaska Ghost Town
Lisa B., United States

Cactus Cabin With Natural Hot Springs
Alie L., United States

Campsite With Caves as Rooms Built Into the Earth
Joanne C., Taiwan

Cloud 9: Livable Cloud Overlooking Lake Michigan
Emily A., United States

Coconut Drifting in the Sea
Muhammad-Hakim A., Malaysia

Concrete Shelled Dome, Sustainable Off-Grid in Joshua Tree
Michael O.l, United States

Contemporary Pyramid in Epic Pine Forest
Jose L., Mexico

Cozy Giant Teapot and Cup Studio
Martinique B., United Kingdom

“Crash Landed” Retro Luxury Airliner Fuselage and Cockpit
Jennifer C., United States

Desert Flower Opening to Star-Filled Sky
Abraham V., South Africa

DJ Booth Tower Mini Duplex
Jérémie, M., Thailand

Dome-House Floating in a Koi Fish Pond
Iacopo T., Japan

Dragon Egg in the Forest
Martí­n J., Argentina

Dragons Den Cave: Life-Sized Dragon Statue Atop Entrance
Julia N., United States

Eco Pyramid Bedroom Set at the Belly Button of the Land
Dominic H., Portugal

Eco-Igloo
Catherine W., Australia

Floating Avocado in an Avocado Farm
Ignacio M., Chile

Floating Terrarium in the City
Mia P., United Kingdom

Full Airplane House in Wonder Valley
Richard C., United States

Galactic Glacier
Laura N., United States

Geodesic Planetarium and Observatory Dome
Nick M., United States

Ghost Town Gondola Town at 12,000 Feet
Ben C., United States

Giant Camera Atop a Georgia Mountain
Matthew F., United States

Giant Clog-Cabin in a Dutch Open Field
Jantine D., Netherlands

Giant Coyote Head Casita on the Rim of the Rio Grande
Johnny D., United States

Giant Fallen Redwood Tree in the Forest
Frank C., United States

Giant Flower Pot on a Farm in Small Town Idaho
Whitney H., United States

Giant Mirrored Disco Ball Glamping House on Wheels
Jeffrey H., United States

Giant Pig in Meadow at Pig Sanctuary
Tracey S., United States

Giant Pony Pad in the New Forest National Park
Jordan C., United Kingdom

Giant Tortoise Glass Shell for Stargazing
Reeyna D., United States

Giant Vintage TV Perched Next to a Lake
Melissa W., Canada

Grass-Roofed, Glass-Fronted Forest Adventure House
Kate C., Canada

Habitable Human Size Skep (Beehive)
Pam W., United States

Hansel and Gretel’s Chocolate House
Maria D., Argentina

Il Pino, the Pine-Shaped Cabin in the Alps
Luca B., Italy

Invisible Farmhouse in a Mango Orchard
Ankur A., India

Jungle Eco Tree House With a Leaf Petal Shape
Elisa O., Mexico

Kangaroom – Floating Pod Style
Matt D., Australia

Kiwi Bird Nest With a Chicken-Eye View
Jacqueline Y., New Zealand

Koi Fish-Shaped House
Linda F., United States

Land-Locked Cargo Ship House in Veracruz
Álvaro M., Mexico

Helicopter on Ten Wooded Acres With a Creek
Emily L., United States

Lighthouse in the Ocean Outside a Swedish Summer Island
Martin R., Sweden

Livable Giant Coconut Made From Mud and Coconut Coir in the Tropical Region of Chiang Mai
Abhi A., Thailand

Livable Giant Fallen Tree in the Woods
J.R. S., United States

Livable Giant Fossilized Snail in the Desert
Diego Z., Mexico

Liveable Giant Mushroom Spaceship in the Middle of the Jungle
Pablo B., Mexico

Livable Giant Troll Nestled in the Woods
Victoria G., United States

Livable Pop-Art Painting-Inspired Stay in Llano Desert
Jesse Y., United States

Luxury Live-In Bear With Epic Woodland Views
Bianca C., United States

“Mind the Gap” – An Up-Cycled London Underground Tube Carriage
Eloise S., United Kingdom

Mischievous Mango Mansion
Rajan J., India

Modern African Earth Retreat in the Bush
Juane V., South Africa

Modern Cereal Lover’s Paradise
Trey P., United States

Monocoque Cabin, Organic Architecture at Peace With its Rural Site
Peter M., United Kingdom

Mushroom Mansion: A Farm to Nightstand B&B
Lenée G., United States

Orion Constellation: 10 Elevated Rooms in Oaxaca
Edmundo Z., Mexico

Ozark Glass Dome Planetarium Treehouse
Natalie J., United States

Portable Cheese Wedge-Shaped Cabins in Wisconsin
Etienne W., United States

Redwood Stump Tiny House in the Forest
Melanie S., United States

Rock Candyland Cottages
Justin M., United States

Salt Cave and Forest Dwelling With Glass Bottle
Liezel M., South Africa

Sculpture in the Woods
Julio N., Mexico

Solve a Mystery in a Restored 40s Railcar
Winston W., United States

Space Treehouse: A Futuristic Home for Sustainable Living
Daniel T., United States

Spend a Night With Your Honey… and Some Honey Bees
Jacob K., United States

Sprout House – The Incredible Farm Stay!
Milind S., India

Stargazing Sphere Suspended in the Rocks
Orien R., United States

Stargazing Stone Igloos
Jaco B., South Africa

Starhouse on Top of a Cliff
Andres C., Mexico

Stay in a Volcano On the Big Island of Hawaii
Cassandra R., United States

Sustainable and Habitable Giant Molar Tooth, Deep Within a Tropical Forest
Pewly D., India

Sustainable Beehive House in the Rainforest
Esteban C., Costa Rica

Sustainable Rammed Earth Desert Shelter Engaged Into the Landscape
Jonathan R., United States

The Big Smoking Volcano and the Sky-Perched Nest
Fabian D., Mexico

The First Bubble House in Mars: A Space Experience
Jorge C., Spain

The Golden Egg
Jennifer W., Ireland

The Nuthouse: Suspended, Hanging Giant Acorn Back in the Woods
Ty G., United States

The Ultimate Music Lover’s Hideaway
Madeleine T., United Kingdom

Tire-Shaped House Made of Junkyard Tires
Kimberly S., United States

Titan II Missile on Former USAF Base
GT H., United States

“Top Secret” Underground Atlas Missile Base, Abandoned by the Air Force
Matthew F., United States

Luxury Bubble On Top Of A Mountain
Timothy H., Australia

Two Wooden Round Nests, Surrounded by Dreamy Blue Gardens
Nicolette T., United Kingdom

Ultimate Airbnb on Plane at an Airfield
Mary C., Australia

US-Skoolie as Mobile Airbnb in Germany
Marcus H., Germany

Viking Ship in the Northwoods of Minnesota
Elena M., United States

What It Feels Like to Live on Cloud 9
Tia B., United States

Interested in becoming an OMG! Host? Learn more at airbnb.com/host/homes.

*Jungle Eco Treehouse With a Leaf Petal Shape, Elisa O., Mexico

** Host earnings vary widely depending on many factors, including availability, price, acceptance and cancellation rates, occupancy rate and the demand in the listing location. Globally, the median earnings for Hosts in the OMG Category who were active on Airbnb between Jan 2018 and May 2022 was just over $48,000 USD.

Unique listings are defined by Hosts, these include but are not limited to; treehouse, yurt, barn, boat, castle, campsite, hut, island, plane, shepherds hut, train, treehouse, windmill, yurt, etc.

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