Hosts with the most

Airbnb opens doors to exclusive new high-end rental service in Austin

Airbnb Austin apartment downtown skyline view

Airbnb has launched the exclusive service in only 13 cities across the world — including Austin.

Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Do you have friends coming to Austin who are hunting for Airbnb rentals? Do you live in Austin and list your home on Airbnb? Both groups of people can take advantage of a new top-tier service from Airbnb.

Austin is one of only 13 cities around the world where Airbnb has launched Airbnb Plus, which features properties that “have been personally verified for quality and comfort,” the company says.

Airbnb says all Airbnb Plus homes have been inspected to ensure they comply with a more than 100-point checklist based on cleanliness, comfort, and design. “Airbnb Plus is intended for guests looking for beautiful homes, exceptional hosts, and added peace of mind,” the company says.

Among other things, an Airbnb Plus property must have:

Thoughtful, cohesive interior design.
A neutral or pleasant aroma in each room.
Two sets of plush towels, hand towels, and washcloths in each bathroom.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
At least eight hangers and an empty drawer or shelf for guests’ clothes.

Although Airbnb Plus homes bear a stamp of approval from Airbnb, they’re not necessarily expensive to rent. For instance, a “cheerful” three-bedroom, one-bathroom Barton Springs bungalow was going for a little over $100 per night on February 26, whereas an “eclectic” two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bathroom home in East Austin was priced around $200 per night.

Aside from Austin, Airbnb Plus has been rolled out in Chicago; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Barcelona, Spain; Cape Town, South Africa; London; Melbourne and Sydney, Australia; Milan and Rome, Italy; Shanghai, China; and Toronto. In all, about 2,000 Airbnb Plus homes are currently available.

While guests are treated to well-vetted accommodations, Airbnb Plus hosts gain top placement on the company’s website, access to in-home services such as design consultation and high-quality photography, and top-level customer service.

To qualify for the Airbnb Plus program, a host must:

Have at least one stay.
Have reviews with an average rating of at least 4.8 stars.
Accept 95 percent of reservations.
Have not had any last-minute cancellations in the past year.
Rent out an entire home, or a private room with a private bathroom.

In mid-2018, Airbnb plans to add 13 more locations to the Airbnb Plus program: Athens, Greece; Auckland, New Zealand; Bali; Beijing and Chengdu, China; Crete; Lisbon, Portugal; Mexico City; Montreal; Phoenix; Prague, Czech Republic; Riviera Maya, Mexico; and Seattle.

By the end of this year, Airbnb envisions having more than 75,000 Airbnb Plus homes in over 50 markets around the world.

hotels

camping awards

3 Central Texas parks win 2025 awards for best campgrounds in America

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg

Photo courtesy of Campspot

undefined

Camping season has begun in the Lone Star State, and three Central Texas parks have earned new recognition as must-visit destinations in the just-released 2025 Campspot Awards.

Award-winning parks are chosen based on campground search platform Campspot's "comprehensive evaluation" to determine the best parks that offer the most memorable experiences.

In all, five Texas parks earned accolades this year, with the three Central Texas parks located in Kerrville, Fredericksburg, and Van Ormy.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Fredericksburg, located about 70 miles west of downtown Austin, topped the list as the No. 1 Top Campground in the U.S. for 2025. It also won an award as one of the top RV campgrounds.

The resort is loaded with amenities to keep campers and families happy, such as an arcade, a dog park, GaGa Ball pit, mini-golf area, an outdoor theater, and so much more. The park is also near some of the Hill Country's iconic wineries.

Campspot says Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park is one of the best family-friendly parks in the heart of Texas Wine Country.

"Whether you are looking for a family vacation spot or a place to stay while visiting the area's beautiful wineries, they offer accommodations and amenities to fit your needs," the park's profile says. "Take a dip in the pool, relax at Blue Bonnet Hall, or grab friends for a game of mini-golf! Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort at Fredericksburg, Texas has something for everyone!"

Von Ormy's Hidden Valley RV Park earned an award in the category for "Top Mid-Size Campgrounds."

The park is located less than 100 miles southwest of Austin, with Campspot showing 76 available RV sites available for campers. The park has many amenities, including a general store, laundry facilities, showers, bathrooms, a pavilion, and more.

According to its profile, Campspot says Hidden Valley feels like it's much farther away from San Antonio than it really is, tucked away in a "quiet country setting."

"Park your RV for a night, week, or month and enjoy the art, culture, and history that San Antonio has to offer," the profile says. "Onsite, enjoy a private creek for fishing, walking trails, bird and wildlife viewing, planned events, and more."

$\u200bHidden Valley RV Park$ Hidden Valley RV Park in Von Ormy is one of the best mid-size campgrounds, according to the report. Hidden Valley RV Park/hiddenvalleyrvpark.com

Reviews for the park praise its peaceful atmosphere, its bountiful fishing opportunities, and its overall cleanliness. One reviewer specifically appreciated the large dog park and friendly staff members.

"The park is beautiful! Large , green spots - some by the creek. Conveniently located to get into downtown San Antonio. It was only about a 20 [minute] drive to everything we wanted to do. We had great WiFi up near the office. The dog park is enormous and full of toys for your furry friends. The staff was very nice and stayed late to make sure we got into our spot," the review said.

The third Central Texas park to earn an award is Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, Guadalupe River in Kerrville. This park is about 110 miles west of Austin, and was named one of the top campgrounds for glamping.

The two other Texas parks that won awards include:

Lake Bonham Recreation Area, Bonham (Top for a Quiet Getaway)
Buffalo Springs Lake Campground, Lubbock (Top for a Quiet Getaway)

"The Campspot Awards aim to recognize those parks that are delivering outstanding guest experiences and embodying the spirit of modern camping," said Campspot CMO Erin Stender in a press release. "This year’s winners represent the variety and depth of camping in North America. From peaceful retreats where you can disconnect to adrenaline-pumping destinations perfect for families, we’re thrilled to showcase parks that are truly exceptional. Every campground on this list provides a unique experience for campers, and they’ve earned their place as the best in the business."

camping vacations spring break awards